Welcome to the beautiful world of traditional
and modern Indian Art. Raji Arts & Crafts
bring to life exquisite art works by integrating contemporary
design with evergreen classical styles. Here is a site to view
& shop for some of our finest Tanjore paintings in which
only 22 carat gold leaves are used.
These paintings are remarkable in its step-by-step
creation from the actual canvas board to the final touches.
Adorned with rubies, diamonds and other precious gemstones,
and trimmed with gold foil, Tanjore paintings were actually
speaking-- treasures. Nowadays, however semi precious stones
are used in place of real ones, but the use of gold foil has
not altered.
The 'canvas' for a Tanjore painting is usually
a plank of wood over which a layer of cloth is pasted. The cloth
is coated with lime paste and smoothened by rubbing with a smooth
stone till the overlay is smooth, levelled and even. Now, the
canvas is ready for painting.
On this canvas, our artist draws a detailed
pencil-sketch.
Layers of paste made from glue (obtained from
neem trees) and limestone are moulded and applied on the canvas
to create a three-dimensional effect in embellishing and ornamentating
a theme.
Selected gems of varies hues, are inlaid onto
this layer of paste. Gold leaves are affixed on selected areas.
The shine and glean on the gold leaves used by the tanjore style
paintings, will last forever.
Salient Features of our
Work :
| We
Use only 24 ct Gold Strips |
| Paintings
are so natural with the Faces& their Emotions brought
in with full clarity |
| We
also do paintings localised and culture oriented. |
General
Info on Tanjore Paintings :
Tanjore (or Thanjavur or Thanjavoor)
paintings have a very rich heritage. This style of
painting has been followed widely by the people in Southern
Tamil Nadu for the past two centuries. The art flourished
in Tanjavoor, pronounced Tanjore, the capital city of the
Chola dynasty, and thus got its name. Maratha princes, Nayaks
of Vijaynagar dynasty, Rajus communities of Tanjore and Trichi
and Naidus of Madurai patronized the art of Tanjore painting
from 16 to 18th centuries. Tanjore paintings are deeply rooted
in tradition and still innovative within limits. This art
is sacred and dedicated.
The
paintings are notable for their adornment in the form of semi-precious
stones, pearls, glass pieces and gold. The rich vibrant colors,
dashes of gold, semi-precious stones and fine artistic work
are characteristics of these paintings. They add beauty and
culture to a variety of surroundings and décor. The paintings
are mostly of Gods and Goddesses because this art of painting
flourished at a time when fine-looking and striking temples
were being constructed by rulers of several dynasties. The figures
in these paintings are large and the faces are round and divine.
Tracing
its roots to the historical golden era of the early 18th century,
Tanjore artwork is one of the many indigenous art forms for
which India is noted. Originating in Tanjore about 300 kms from
Chennai( Madras), which was the then capital of the Gupta empire,
this form of art developed at the height of cultural evolvement
achieved during that period.
Crafted with meticulous care the Thanjavoor (Tanjore) pictures
are unique. What sets them apart from Indian paintings in general
are the embellishments made over the basic drawings with precious
and semi-precious stones as well as the relief work which gives
them a three dimensional effect. The pictures are of various
sizes, ranging from huge works spanning whole walls to small
miniatures no longer than 6-inch square.
The paintings decorate the puja rooms in residences, orcades
in major hotels and lobbies in Corporate Offices. They also
make nice gifts for Diwali, Weddings and other special occasions.
