The paintings of Tanjore were influenced by Indian art during the 16th century, when the Nayaka Governors, under the leadership of the Vijayanagara Rayas, governed their large realm in southern India. The Nayakas were ardent supporters of literature and the arts. Following the establishment of Maratha control in the area in 1676, Maratha kings promoted the growth of artists and the arts. Tanjore painting took off during this period and evolved into the shape and style that we are familiar with today. Large paintings of Maratha emperors, courtiers, and nobles were used to decorate Maratha palaces and buildings. The majority of the gods were portrayed as having almond-shaped eyes, round faces, and sleek bodies. The figures, which were frequently grouped closely together under arches, draperies, and elaborate borders, were painted in flat hues. Tanjore paintings were known for their thick compositions, and the faces were typically darkened to create a sense of depth.

The Company Style

• The British who had invaded Tanjore following the Mysore Wars (1767–1799) supported the Tanjore artists when Maratha control began to wane. Tanjore saw the establishment of a British garrison in 1773, which later served as a base for British forces. Over the following century, Indian painters in and around Tanjore created sets of paintings for Company employees. These groups were referred to as album paintings or albums. These were sets of "native" or "Indian" subjects, painted in a style that catered to the tastes and sensitivities of the English.
• In addition to the standard topics of gods and incidents from Hindu mythology, additional subjects that caught the attention of the English were fairs, ceremonies, festivals, caste jobs, and Indian flora and wildlife. They were finished with little to no gold foil and without any inlay of glass or gems. Additionally, summaries of the subject matter were included with the paintings in both Tamil and Telugu in addition to English. Even though these paintings were classified as belonging to the Company school of painting, the same group of traditional artists usually created Tanjore-style paintings with Tanjore characters.
• The Tanjore Method
• Because they are usually painted on boards made of jackfruit or teak wood, Tanjore paintings are known as palagai padam, which translates to "picture on a wooden plank." Tanjore paintings are known for their vivid colours and gold leaf decorations. Cut glass, pearls, and precious and semi-precious stones are also frequently utilized as decorative elements.
• Over time, artificial paints have supplanted the natural colours that artists once achieved using vegetable and mineral dyes. Tanjore paintings combine vivid tones of green, blue, and red in their stunning colour scheme. This makes these paintings distinct from other Indian art traditions, as do their rich and intricate compositions. Bal Krishna, Lord Rama, and many gods, goddesses, saints, and figures from Hindu mythology are frequent motifs in Tanjore paintings.

Migrant Artists

• The Raju community of Tanjore and Tiruchy, as well as the Naidu community of Madurai, used to create the Tanjore paintings. These artists, who were initially Telugu-speaking and hailed from Andhra Pradesh, relocated to Tamil Nadu after the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire. These artists placed a high value on patronage; as a result, the scale of their paintings varied according to the subject matter and the preferences of their patrons.
• Painters had to be extremely persistent and meticulous to achieve the high standards required by Tanjore paintings. In addition, the master craftsmen were expected to create the artwork with a certain level of ritual purity and humility, as it was regarded as a sacred undertaking. In keeping with the Indian tradition of art, the majority of artists choose to stay anonymous and never date their paintings.

Gesso''s Uniqueness

• The Gesso Work, or its three-dimensional quality, is the most distinctive feature of Tanjore Paintings. To put it another way, the Tanjore Painting features embossed zones, something that most other pieces of art do not. In other words, there are areas of the picture that are raised above the ground. The term "gesso work" in craftsmanship refers to this embellishment.
• In Europe, gesso is typically applied to columns and other structural elements; it was never used in any creative works at that time. One of the most unique methods and techniques that may be used in an artistic endeavour is gesso work. That is the level of creativity that Tanjore artisans brought to the creation of the artwork. The gold foil overlay on the Gesso work is another unique component that allows you to do more with the material than with the strategy. We use real 22-carat gold foil, which is never blurry because it is composed of real gold.

Diverse Stylistic Influences

• Tanjore painting was greatly impacted by other well-known Vijayanagara school painting styles, such as the Tirupati and Kalamkari schools, in addition to the many cultural groups that supported the art form. Many of the Tirupati paintings, which depicted deities and were created in the well-known temple town of Tirupati using a variety of mediums and techniques, were gilded and gem-set in a style reminiscent of Tanjore paintings.
• The majority of reverse glass paintings, another type of traditional South Indian Indian art, were strongly influenced by Tanjore paintings. These paintings featured colourful depictions of religious figures, enhanced by the addition of metallic foils and other elements.
• Many traits between Tanjore painting and the popular art form of Mysore painting cause confusion between the two. They both date back to the Vijayanagara era and were created by artists from the Raju and Naidu groups.
• Though the styles are surprisingly similar, there are major variations such as the use of paper as the substrate for Mysore paintings and its limited use of gold foil, glass beads, and precious and semi-precious stones. In contrast to the rich composition of Tanjore paintings, the themes in Mysore paintings mirror the contemporary style that was popular at the Mysore Palace and also shows more elaborate landscapes.

Tanjore Painting Features

• In ancient times, precious stones such as diamonds and rubies adorned these paintings, set against a backdrop of 22-karat gold foil. The remaining canvas burst with vibrant hues, creating a spectacle of color.
• A distinctive feature of Tanjore paintings lies in the cherubic countenances of the deities, imparting a sense of purity and sanctity to the artwork.
• These paintings predominantly depict tales from Hindu mythology, including significant mythological events such as the nuptials of Meenakshi, romantic interludes between Radha and Krishna, and the coronation of Shri Rama. Artisans meticulously craft the foundation of each painting, instilling it with a distinctive three-dimensional quality that sets it apart.
• Tanjore paintings are often exchanged as gifts during festive occasions like Diwali and Pongal, or presented at weddings. They also serve as exquisite adornments for homes and establishments.
• The bold hues, gleaming gemstones, and golden embellishments infused within these paintings illuminate any space, infusing it with warmth and vitality.

Tanjore painting is a traditional style of Indian art that originated in the town of Thanjavur (formerly known as Tanjore) in the state of Tamil Nadu. Here are some of its distinctive features:

• Rich Colors: Tanjore paintings are known for their vibrant colors. They often use bright shades of red, blue, green, and gold leafwork to create an opulent effect.
• Gesso Work: One of the unique features of Tanjore paintings is the use of gesso work. Gesso is a mixture of chalk, gypsum, and glue applied to the surface to create embossed patterns and motifs.
• Iconography: Tanjore paintings typically depict Hindu gods and goddesses, especially figures like Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Lakshmi. These paintings often feature intricate detailing of jewelry, clothing, and accessories.
• Gold Leaf: Gold foil or leaf is extensively used in Tanjore paintings to embellish the artwork. This gives the paintings a luxurious and divine appearance.
• Flat Perspective: Tanjore paintings often employ a flat perspective, where figures are portrayed in a stylized and symbolic manner rather than with realistic proportions and perspectives.
• Architectural Elements: Many Tanjore paintings incorporate architectural elements such as pillars, arches, and ornate backgrounds, adding to their grandeur.
• Thick Wooden Frames: Traditionally, Tanjore paintings are framed with thick wooden borders adorned with intricate carvings or designs, enhancing their aesthetic appeal.

Why are Tanjore Paintings So Expensive?

• The costliness of Tanjore Paintings can be attributed to the materials utilized in their creation.
• Traditionally, artists begin by preparing the canvas with a blend of limestone and glue, a meticulous process that not only imparts a unique texture but also enhances durability.
• Following this, artisans engage in intricate gold leaf work, employing authentic gold foil to craft the intricate embellishments and intricate details that define Tanjore paintings. The incorporation of genuine gold elevates their worth, given its status as a precious material.
• Moreover, the vivid and captivating colors adorning these paintings are derived from natural pigments, which also contribute to their high price due to their quality and expense.
• Genuine Tanjore paintings are distinguished by their elaborate gold leaf work and embellishments. Ensure that the gold leaf used by the artists is authentic and verify if the artistic elements adhere to the traditional style.

Legacy of Tanjore Art

• The Indian government designated Tanjore Painting as a Geographical Indication in 2007–2008. A geographical indicator is a label applied to products that identify their origin or precise geographic area. The Geographic Indication Registry, a division of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry''s Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade, is responsible for issuing this tag. After that, comparatively less expensive imitation gold foil sheets began to appear on the market; this helped spur enthusiasts to preserve the art form while also supporting dishonest profit-making objectives.
• Apart from that, the form hasn''t changed all that much. For almost a century, its defining idiom—the stunning gold foil on gesso, a white paint mixture with embedded jewels, flat, vibrant colours, and divine figures—has remained mostly unchanged. However, Thanjavur art was not usually like this. Indeed, if it weren''t for the numerous early trials carried out by the local artists, the widely used application of gold film on gesso would never have emerged.
• Tanjore painting is being practised today, mostly by a small group of committed artists from Tamil Nadu. Plywood has taken the place of jackfruit and teak wood in the artworks, along with the change to synthetic colouration. Tanjore paintings are still quite popular today. They have been heavily marketed in recent years and are now being sold in street markets.
• Even though the art form has endured and is still in demand, many art enthusiasts find the overall drop in quality unsettling. The fact that training camps and workshops are being organized to preserve the rich, traditional, and creative components that define Tanjore painting as an art form while ensuring its continued survival is encouraging.