Chola Impressions - Blog #tanjoreChola Impressions - Blog #tanjorehttps://www.cholaimpressions.com/blogs/tag/tanjoreTue, 31 Mar 2026 07:33:40 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[10 best places you must visit in Thanjavur]]>https://www.cholaimpressions.com/blogs/post/places-to-visitThanjavur is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur.]]>

The Cultural Capital of South India

Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture. Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur. The foremost among these, the Brihadeeswara Temple, is located in the centre of the city. Thanjavur is also home to Tanjore painting, a painting style unique to the region.

Thanjavur is an important pilgrim centre and a major tourist destination of Tamil Nadu. The most visited monument in Thanjavur is the Brihadeeswarar Temple, whose construction, the historian Percy Brown described as "a landmark in the evolution of building art in South India". Built in the 11th century by the Chola king Raja Raja Chola I (985–1014), the temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The walls of the sanctum are covered with wall paintings from the Chola and Nayak periods. The temple was designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It is replicated in the Gangaikonda Cholesvarar Temple constructed by Raja Raja's son Rajendra Chola I (1012–44).

Other major tourist spots in Tanjore include:

  1. Tanjore Brihadeeshwara Temple
  2. Tanjore Maratha Palace - was the official residence of the Bhonsle family who ruled over the Thanjavur region
  3. The Saraswathi Mahal Library, established around 1700 - among the oldest libraries in India
  4. Sivagangai Park
  5. Tamil University Library
  6. Archeological Museum in the Palace
  7. Nayak Durbar Hall Museum
  8. Rajaraja Chola Museum in Mani Mandapam
  9. Navagraha temples (Temples for 9 planets) - located around a radius of 30-40 km from Tanjore
  10. South Zone Cultural Centre

    It is also worthwhile to mention that Carnatic music was codified in Thanjavur and the art flourished during the Nayak rule in the 16th century. The famous Bharathanatyam, a classical dance form of South India, had its major styles developed in Thanjavur.

     Some important cultural Events

    • Thyagarajar Aradhana, a Carnatic music festival held annually during the Tamil Month of Maargazhi at Thiruvaiyaru, located 13 km away from the city. It is a music feast for Carnatic music lovers. Prominent singers from all over the country attend the mass gathering and sing the ever-green devotional songs written by the great Music Scholar Thyagarajar
    • During Maargazhi, bhajans are performed, stories are told and knowledge is disseminated across many old temples (mainly associated with Vaishnavism) in Thanjavur. Divine music from Mridangam and Nagaswaram is echoed all over the old streets of Thanjavur which one must experience atleast once in their lifetime
    • Sathaya Thiruvizha is the annual birthday festival of Raja Raja Chola held during October every year which is of high cultural importance. Cultural events are organized around Thanjavur during this time. Sathaya Thiruvizha is probably the only grand event celebrating a great and victorious King in India
    • Maha Shivratri at Tanjore Brihadeeshwara Temple is a grand event at any scale. People from all over Thanjavur pour into the big temple at the night to have dharisanam of Lord Shiva. Throughout the night till the dawn, Bhratnatyam performance is done by troops from all over the World. Notable ones are generally from Chennai, Bangalore, Thanjavur, Sigapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka
    • Salangai Naadham: This is a cultural fest that happens in the South Zone Cultural Centre wherein Artists from all over India perform continuously for around 10 days in the evening. Handicrafts from various states are also displayed in the campus which is a feast for Handicrafts and Arts lover. You can also drop in at our Chola Impressions Gallery as it is situated right opposite to South Zone Cultural Centre

    Disclaimer: We advice you to do groundwork while planning as some of these places may not be open all the time

    ]]>    Tue, 05 May 2020 16:55:07 +0530    <![CDATA[How to assemble a Tanjore Dancing Doll]]>https://www.cholaimpressions.com/blogs/post/assemble-tanjore-dancing-dollWe have made this illustration which highlights various parts of a Tanjore Dancing doll and how effectively one can assemble this doll.]]>
    We have seen many art enthusiasts struggle while assembling a Tanjore Dancing doll.  So, we have made this illustration which highlights various parts of a Tanjore Dancing doll and how effectively one can assemble this doll. Watch the video and subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more art related updates
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    ]]>    Thu, 02 Mar 2017 13:54:00 +0530    <![CDATA[This day, That Age: Modern Times]]>https://www.cholaimpressions.com/blogs/post/this-day-that-age-modern-timesHow Tanjore Paintings have evolved over time]]>

    How Tanjore Paintings evolved over time

    Krishna Tanjore Painitng by Chola Impressions
    Krishna Tanjore Painitng by Chola Impressions




    • Thanjavur paintings continue to be made even to the present day, though not with the rigour and virtuosity that marked the paintings of yore. 'Revival' programmes, Exhibitions, Workshops and Training camps on Thanjavur paintings are being held regularly by many institutions including State Governments. 
    • The materials used have also changed according to the cost, ease of availability and the choice of individual artists. Plywood, for example has by and large replaced Jack and teak wood. 
    • Synthetic colours and adhesives are preferred over the natural and mineral colours and other traditional components. In addition to the traditional subjects, a wide range of popular and modern subjects and themes are being depicted in Thanjavur paintings. 
    • While it is a happy development that this traditional art continues to hold its sway, the brazen commercialisation and lack of aesthetics are disturbing trends. Be that as it may, Thanjavur paintings - the style and aesthetics continue to inspire many contemporary artists. 
    • The Calendar prints of C. Kondiah Raju and his student followers, marked by an iconic solidness as against the western naturalism of Raja Ravi Varma, are examples of the continued influence of Tanjore paintings in modern, popular and academic art.
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    ]]>    Sat, 04 Apr 2015 19:12:00 +0530    <![CDATA[The Artists]]>https://www.cholaimpressions.com/blogs/post/the-artisans
    Tanjore paintings were painted by 'Moochys or Artists of India' according to the British chronicler Charles Gold in his book Oriental Drawings published in 1806. Traditionally, it is well known that the Raju community of Thanjavur and Tiruchi, also called as Jinigara or Chitragara and the Nayudu community of Madurai were the artists who executed paintings in the Thanjavur style. The artists (Rajus & Naidus) were originally Telugu speaking people from the artistically vibrant "Rayalseema" region of Andhra, who moved to Tamil Nadu in the wake of the fall of the Vijayanagar empire and the establishment of Nayak rule in Madurai and Thanjavur.

    The artists turned out a wide repertoire of paintings on different subjects and of varied quality depending upon the patron's interest, urgency and most importantly influence and financial capacity. However, the art was by and large a sacred task to be performed with a reasonable degree of ritual purity and humility by the master craftsmen, many of whom chose to remain anonymous and never signed their paintings, true to the Indian artistic tradition. However a few works signed by the Thanjavur artists are also known. C. Kondiah Raju, the famous calendar artist from Kovilpatti, was one of the illustrious descendants to make a name as an artist during modern times from the Raju communi
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    ]]>    Fri, 03 Apr 2015 21:36:00 +0530    <![CDATA[Tanjore Paintings - Origins]]>https://www.cholaimpressions.com/blogs/post/tanjore-paintings-overviewThe history of Tanjore Paintings dates back to Marathas conquest of South India during 16th century. Thanjavur Paintings flourished under the patronage of the Nayak & Maratha princes in the 16th to the 18th centuries.]]>





    The history of Tanjore Paintings dates back to Marathas conquest of South India during 16th century. Thanjavur Paintings flourished under the patronage of the Nayak & Maratha princes in the 16th to the 18th centuries. 


     


    The art was practiced by two main communities namely - the RAJUS in THANJAVUR and TRICHY and NAIDUS in MADURAI [a city ruled by PANDIYAS]. The artists [Rajus & Naidus] who are originally Telugu speaking people from "Rayalseema" region, moved to Tamil Nadu in the wake of the Nayaks rule of Madurai & Tanjore. The paintings were rooted in tradition and innovation was limited. The art was sacred to those master craftsmen who chose to be anonymous and humble.
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