Sri Rajarajecharam Temple / Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple / Thanjavur Periya Kovil, Paintings, Ponniyin Selvan Meet 2015, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

 01, October, 2015.

During Ponniyin Selvan's meeting at Thanjavur Periya Kovil, Mr. Kudavayil Balasubramanian explained to us the details of the painting in the Santharam area. The paintings are 14 feet high and 10 feet wide. The Nayaks painted new paintings over the Chozha period paintings. The Nayak period paintings were removed from the slab and kept at the interpretation center for display by the Archeological Survey of India. After removing, the Nayak paintings were documented by  Thanjavur Tamil University. The persons responsible are N Thiyagarajan, Chandru, and S Rajavelu of Thanjavur Tamil University. ASI played a major role in removing the Nayaka period paintings. The original Chozha Period paintings were first found by S.K. Govindsamy Pillai of Annamalai University in the year 1930.

The method adopted for painting on the wall is as follows.  First, the surface was cleaned, and a thick coat of lime mortar with sand was applied. A layer of lime alone was applied and making the surface smooth. The drawings were planned in advance, and paintings were done by many artists before the surface became dry, ie, the paintings are done when the surface is in a wet condition. Naturally available materials like stones, herbs, and leaves are used. The colors used are White, black, yellow, Green, Blue, and saffron. 

  

On Monday, on the way to Saraswathi Mahal, I had been to Tamil University. Luckily, I got a book that contains the Sri Vimanam santharam Chozha Period drawings/ Paintings. So thought of sharing some of the details with the readers of my blog.

THE ORIGINAL  NAYAKS PERIOD DRAWINGS REMOVED AS SLAB 

THE STORY OF SUNDARAR

The following paintings are the original Chozha period paintings. The first one is Sundara's story, where Shiva stopped the marriage, in which the details of the preparation of food for the marriage, the Thiruvennainallur court scene, Sundarar, and Cheraman going to Kailash, and  Shiva and Parvati at Kailash were painted nicely. Sekkizhar, who had not seen this painting or not for wrote the Periya Purana. But there is no difference between the story and the painting.

Sundarar is on the way to Kailash, and Cheraman Peruman goes in front after he chanted the ‘om Namasivaya’ Mantra in the horse’s ears.

 

Birds, monkeys, snakes, owls, Peacock, and Pokkanam( Thiruneetru pai) 

  THIRIPURANTHAKAR

Mr. Kudavayil Balasubramanian showed us the anger in his eyes and the laughter/smile in his mouth by closing above the nose and below the nose. 

SRI RAJARAJAN WORSHIPPING LORD SHIVA AT CHIDAMBARAM

Mr Kudavayil Balasubramanian commented by showing the dress of the Queens – looks like leggings used by the present youngsters.

OTHER PAINTINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABOVE PAINTINGS

SHIVA AND PARVATHY 

BHAIRAVAR

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---