"Thanjavur paintings are among the most popular artworks that adorn the walls of Indian homes--avidly collected but little comprehended. This richly illustrated volume presents an enhanced understanding of the subject through an in-depth study of South Indian paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries in the Thanjavur and the allied Mysuru styles. The meticulously researched text showcases and engages with Kuldip Singh's unique collection of 300 paintings. Also included are painted prints, some reverse-glass works and a few lithographs. These cover a wide range of idioms and themes: from the domain of gods and goddesses and the sites and stories associated with their worship, we come down to the realm of their human patrons with portraits made of maharajas, priests and ordinary individuals. We also gain a glimpse of the different regions and schools that come under the larger ambit of the term "South Indian" paintings. A historical and cultural background provides an overview and context to the material while a description of technique and an analysis of styles highlights an aesthetic appreciation. In addition to a focus on the process of conserving and preserving these works, the book looks at the contemporary status of this form which is experiencing a revival within the art market."--Dust jacket.

The British Museum's collection of South Indian paintings consists of around 1000 items ranging from the 17th to the 20th century and representing a wide variety of themes and techniques. Only a very few examples from this major collection have been published before. In this book the collection will be catalogued in full, and 250 of the most important items will be reproduced in colour. The paintings will be described and listed according to the their topics (Hindu mythology; castes, trades and occupations; natural history drawings; painted narratives; India observed) and according to the medium on which they were executed (paper, cloth, leather, mica). Each section will begin with a brief introduction outlining the essential stylistic and iconographic features. Among this material are a number of highly interesting albums such as a set of 91 paintings depicting Hindu mythology, dating from the early decades of the 19th century. More unusual items are the long painted scrolls from Andhra illustrating local mythological narratives, the painted cloths from Tamil Nadu depicting the Ramayana epic, and paintings on paper used by the storytellers of northern Karnataka.

Tanjore painting or Tanjavur painting is a form of art developed in the southern part of India at a place called Tanjavur and dates back to the ninth century AD. Painting of gods and humans on the walls of temples as murals turned over a period of time to painting on boards using precious stones, gold foil, and rich natural colours. This form of painting is painstaking and difficult, practised by very few artisans. There are no written guidelines for learning. The skill was passed on from artisan to artisan over generations. The author, an engineer by profession, learnt this fine art from a trained teacher. The author felt that written instructions with sketches will help many more to understand and learn. He has ventured to put into words his knowledge on the subject through this book. As no formal book of learning on this art exists, the author feels that the book with the paintings will help many more to appreciate and learn this fine age-old art. The paintings in the book were created by the author over a period of time for his own library and will last several generations if properly maintained.

The book contains the cultural history of Thanjavur. Histories of the various rulers and of the Big Temple are woven into a rich tapestry of cultural heritage that is Thanjavur.

Tanjore Paintings today have tremendous appeal, as much for the relaxation it affords, it is peaceful and harmonious work and offers the satisfaction of creating lasting beautiful paintings, whose value grows with the years. The projects in this book have been selected to appeal both, to the beginners desiring instruction in various basic Tanjore painting skills and to the more experienced artists. In this book the authors have concentrated on the kind of technique, designs that offer greatest possibilities and they are sure that the detailed photographs showing phases of the work step by step will make it possible even for beginners to execute them with ease. This book is dedicated to preserving our priceless heritage of Tanjore paintings, remember today's Tanjore paintings is tomorrows heirloom.

In Re-envisioning Śiva Naṭarāja. A Multidisciplinary Perspective the contributors work with hitherto unexplored visual, textual, and epigraphic material and analytical techniques, presenting new insights into the dancing Śiva as icon and concept.