Temple paintings in new light

Temples and paintings, these are, perhaps, the first two things to strike any tourist on a visit to Tanjore in Tamil Nadu. If the famous Brihadeeshwara temple leaves a lasting impression for being the only temple whose ``gopuram'' does not cast a shadow even when the sun is blazing right on top, the Tanjore paintings leave a mark for their unique style and creativity.

Showing the Tanjore style of painting in a rather different light will be Allahabad-based artist Ritu Singhal who presents an exclusive exhibition of Tanjore paintings in Delhi between August 10 and 12 at the Visual Arts Gallery of India in Habitat Centre here.

Moving away from the routine, Ritu has tried to depict the traditional art in an experimental way through her collection ``Travelling Ganeshas''. While borrowing the traditional style of Tanjore paintings, Ritu has attempted to give a new look by making a canvas of Guru Nanak and Jesus Christ using the same method.

A registered artist with the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ritu did her diploma in textile designing. In her present collection, she uses various media like relief, metal, acrylic and oils apart from Tanjore.

In ``Travelling Ganesha'', Ritu deviates from the traditional style by taking the ``Elephant God'' to places like Cambodia and China and painting him with a new background every time. Known for its distinguished style, Tanjore paintings have, over the years, become popular for the rare technique involved. The style itself evolved as a result of the demand put forward by devotees for taking back with them an image of the deity as a blessing.

Although a part of the larger pool of the Karnataka culture, Tanjore paintings are usually large in size and framed, with the figures being monumental and robust.

By Lakshmi Balakrishnan

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