Tanjore portray
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association
“A Tanjore portray must be treasured, not simply because it comprises gold, but in addition due to its invaluable heritage,” says Bharani Elangovan, a Tanjore portray artist. “The artform traces its historical past again to the time of the Chola empire within the 16th century. Carrying ahead the custom is an honour.”
Bharani is a part of a Tanjore portray exhibition organised by the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi and South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur, on the Durbar Corridor Artwork Gallery in Kochi.
Together with 4 different artists, Bharani has been partaking with guests on the gallery, explaining the historical past and craft of Tanjore work. Her husband, artist Okay Elangovan, can be a part of the staff.
Becoming a member of the dialog, Bharani’s sister Bharathi Senthilvelan highlights that Tanjore work largely characteristic Gods, Goddesses and divine beings. “Some artists experiment with fashionable themes too,” she provides. “Nonetheless, uncooked supplies have modified over time. Within the historical interval, artists used precise valuable stones and gold, and the works have been framed in teak. As we speak, as a substitute of diamonds and sapphires, artists use semi-precious stones corresponding to kundan stones and American diamonds,” she explains.
Tanjore portray
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Association
Tanjore work usually transcend the realm of artwork. “They’re revered,” says Bharathi, who has displayed a collection of acrylic on canvas works impressed by Tanjore work.. “Most Hindu prayer rooms in South India would have a Tanjore portray.”
The journey of a Tanjore portray is fascinating, say the artists. “It takes about 20 days to finish a standard-size portray of about 15’’x12’’ proportions,” says Vasudevan A, an artist who hails from Salem. “Step one is getting ready the plywood base. The method takes three to 4 days. The artist then traces the portray and applies muck paste, a combination of chalk powder and Arabic gum. That is executed in an effort to give the portray a 3D impact. It’s then inlaid with stones and gold foil, on which the artist employs the mandatory filigree work. The portray is accomplished in poster colors. “
(Left to proper) Artists Bharathi Senthilvelan, Bharani Elangovan, Vasudevan A, Okay Elangovan and A Murthy
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Preparations
Bharani chips in that, even in the present day, 22 and 24 karat gold foils are used to brighten the work.
There are specific customary colors utilized in Tanjore work — Prussian blue, crimson, inexperienced and pink. “Within the olden occasions, artists used solely pure colors,” says A Murthy, an artist from Salem. “For ease of use, many of the artists in the present day use poster colors.”
Many of those artists settle for orders for particular person works, too. “We do quite a lot of customisation today,” says Bharathi.
Along with the same old work of Lord Krishna, numerous types of the Goddesses, Lord Balaji and Lord Ganesha, the exhibition additionally consists of Tanjore work of Jesus Christ and Shirdi Sai Baba. Work of birds, elephants and Kathakali, too, are on present.
The present is on until December 17 on the Durbar Corridor Artwork Gallery in Kochi.