Tanjore Painting - in pictures

  • Tanjore paintings are a 16th-century classical art form in India's southern Tamil Nadu state. All photos: Taniya Dutta / The National
    Tanjore paintings are a 16th-century classical art form in India's southern Tamil Nadu state. All photos: Taniya Dutta / The National
  • They are known for their ornate depictions of Hindu deities
    They are known for their ornate depictions of Hindu deities
  • The artists use 22-carat gold foil is used to enhance the beauty of the paintings
    The artists use 22-carat gold foil is used to enhance the beauty of the paintings
  • Poster paints give vibrancy to the artworks
    Poster paints give vibrancy to the artworks
  • Kathirvel, 54, shows a 22-carat gold leaf used to decorate a painting
    Kathirvel, 54, shows a 22-carat gold leaf used to decorate a painting
  • Kathirvel is a fourth-generation Tanjore painter. He runs The Art Village, a two-room studio, at his home in Thanjavur, in Tamil Nadu
    Kathirvel is a fourth-generation Tanjore painter. He runs The Art Village, a two-room studio, at his home in Thanjavur, in Tamil Nadu
  • An artist draws lines on gold foil
    An artist draws lines on gold foil
  • In the old days, artists spent days making natural dyes using flowers and leaves
    In the old days, artists spent days making natural dyes using flowers and leaves
  • An artist lays gold foil over drawings, before applying strokes of colour
    An artist lays gold foil over drawings, before applying strokes of colour
  • Kathirvel great-grandfather, grandfather and father were all Tanjore artists
    Kathirvel great-grandfather, grandfather and father were all Tanjore artists
  • Great precision and detailing goes into the paintings
    Great precision and detailing goes into the paintings
  • A mixture of gum, chalk powder, limestone and tamarind paste is used to emboss the paintings
    A mixture of gum, chalk powder, limestone and tamarind paste is used to emboss the paintings