India is the hub of millions of interesting art forms. One such art form is the Tanjore Painting. This special art comes from the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. That is where the name “Tanjore” comes from. It is believed that in the 16th century the Chola Empire encouraged and practiced this particular form of art, which has survived over the centuries. Even today Thanjavur district is the centre of this ancient and intricate art form. We can find many artisans working on their paintings over here, and that is how this art has still survived.

Tanjore paintings are created using a special technique, where gold plates and bright colored stones are used to show the garments and jewels of the portraits, making the paintings rather expensive. A very thin foil of gold is used to bring the special glitter to the paintings.

The paintings come alive after a painstaking process. Usually, the different Hindu Gods and Goddesses are portrayed in these paintings, where a deity is used as a muse. First of all, a frame of wood is made on which a cloth is secured. This is the canvas on which the painting is to be drawn. When the artist has finished the drawing he uses various semi precious stones and bright pieces of glass to decorate the painting. Gold foils are used to further enhance the painting.

Tanjore painting are made of very bright colors and are very attractive to look at. They are famous all over the world and have a typical Indian quality about them.