About Us
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.