Friday, July 11, 2014

Brihadeeswara Temple - Tanjavur

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The colour prompt for this week was :


Red, Royal Blue and a splash, smudge or pop of Light Blue


This week I am staying down South with an architectural marvel, another Dravidian splendor, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1954 and which observed it's Millennium Celebrations in September 2010. It is located in Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu...Any guesses (my brothers and sisters) ??? (and let me also tell you with utmost pleasure that I have been here...thanks to my uncle and aunt who took me there years back during my college vacation. I experienced AWE! I also had the pleasure of watching Sonal Mann Singh mesmerizing the audience with her Odissi [traditional dance form of Odisha]...It was MAGICAL!!!)

Yes, it is the Brihadeeswara Temple, also called the Peruvudiar Kovil or the Periya Kovil (Big Temple) built by Raja Raja Chola 1 of the Chola Dynasty and was built in just 5 years from 1004 to 1009...considering that there were no cranes or any of the hi-fi modern machinery!!! Some interesting factors about this temple are that the Shikharam or the top most part of the tower seen as the circular part of the gopuram or the tower is supposed to be built in single stone weighing 60 tonnes and just imagine how the skilled labourers would have positioned it on top of 216 feet tall tower!!! It is believed that the temple doesn't cast it's shadow inside the temple premises as well and that is SOME kind of engineering and expertise which even the 21st century hi-tech engineers fail to present.

Acrylics, Texture base & Pen
Winsor & Newton Acrylic pad, 300gsm


This mammoth temple was built on the behest of Raja Raja Chola 1 by Kunjara Mallan Raja Raja Perunthachan. I have noticed that we are unaware of the creators of the many marvels surrounding us. According to Wikipedia he is the ancestor of  Dr.V.Ganapati Sthapati, (Founder of the Vastu Vedic Research Foundation) who was a renowned architect who adhered to the Vastu Shastra tradition. He built the famous 133' granite statue of Thiruvalluvar (of SOC week 1) near the Swami Vivekananda Memorial.

Dr.V.Ganapati Sthapati receiving Shilpaguru Award from the then President of India, Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam

Dr.Ganapati is the brain behind the initiation of The American University of Mayonic Science and Technology. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award.




The chief deity is Lord Shiva, however the Goddess, Lord Subramania & Lord Ganesha shrines were added on in the later periods by different rulers of different dynasty.

A unique kind of painting style evolved during this period...may be that was what later on transformed into the exquisite Tanjavur Paintings.

 Mural found in the temple

 Painting on the roof of the temple

A Few other exemplary murals that has stood the test of time :)






Linking it to PPF & SOC...to drool over the variety of artworks, please hop over :D 

In case you would like to own this piece - Brihadeeswara Temple, you can drop me a mail...for details please write in to mail.huesnshades@gmail.com

PS: Please do not forget to leave a comment...I would like to know what and how you feel :)

Thanks a ton for stopping by...and O, in case you would to be updated on what's happening here, please click Follow :)


Disclaimer: All the information and the images other than my paintings are the result of research in the Net. In case there is any erroneous info please do let me know and I will rectify it. Thanks!

Please do not use/reproduce the content (words as well as images) without the written consent of the author.



33 comments:

Linda Kunsman said...

It is truly amazing when you see the meticulous building and art that have stood the test of time so well. Beautiful illustration of your temple and thanks for sharing more about your culture too.

Siggadisart said...

Always nice to read what you write Deepa and to see your paintings. Where is this building located, in south maybe? Have a good day :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful painting chechi...u reminded me of my trip to periya kovil. Lovely place it is.

sue :) said...

Super project, fantastic detail your very talented.

Faye said...

It is astounding what the ancients were able to do in the way of architecture without all the machinery that we so take for granted. Your painting of the temple is very beautiful.

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful work, and I am enjoying learning more about your fascinating culture. Valerie

Cindy McMath said...

Another beautiful piece and lovely representation of this week's colours. I love your blog because I always see beautiful art work and also learn something new each time!

Joy Murray said...

Love your painting of the temple then the tour of it's amazing art. Thanks for sharing your journeys and discoveries.

Tracey FK said...

those murals are so inspiring and I always enjoy the mix of art and information on your blog... but the star is certainly your artwork this week... fabulous

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

When I logged on and saw your name, I couldn't wait to see what temple you would show us this week. Another fascinating temple, and incredible detail. I so enjoy reading about your culture and truly enjoyed the various murals that have survived over the millennia. Beautiful art and lovely photos. Thanks for sharing.

kathiresh said...

Great Works chechii...expecting more blasts from you....God Bless You..

Sharon Fritchman said...

Deepa, I cannot tell you how much I love visiting your blog each week. Your Brihadeeswara Temple is absolutely gorgeous in all of it's beautiful details. I loved learned more about it and your country, too. I enjoyed reading about the murals and that type of art, too. Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us at SOC!

denthe said...

Very interesting to read about this temple! You did a great job drawing and painting it!

bellefrogworks said...

Your painting is beautiful and I so enjoyed seeing the artwork inside the temple.

Kristin said...

xo

DVArtist said...

Your art is just amazing. I enjoyed this post very much.
Nicole/Beadwright

R Niranjan Das said...

Lovely creation, Deepa!

Jithesh Prabhakaran said...

Great! Your artwork is amazing too...

magiceye said...

The murals are amazing

Kokila gupta said...

Beautiful creation! the colour palette in itself was so interesting and you have sketched/painted it so effortlessly ... beautiful.

Beloo Mehra said...

Your beautiful paintings took me back to my visit to this amazing temple last year. I can't describe how I felt when I stood there in awe, just spellbound by the greatness that was in front of me. Really marvellous. But that doesn't really say anything about it. One just has to see it to believe it. You have a great talent, Deepa. The paintings are so vibrant and yet create a contemplative mood at the same time. I will surely be following your wonderful blog :)

Rahmath said...

The art is beautiful. Periya Kovil is one of the most beautiful temples I have seen. I never thought photos could do any justice to it but your art work does. Beautiful....

Anonymous said...

Informative and beautiful :)

Maniparna said...

Great architecture and art ...the colour combination of your work is amazingly bright and beautiful...

Unknown said...

The Brihadeeswara Temple is my favorite. I went there first as a child and fell in love with it. Went back 2 years back with my husband as I wanted him to see this magnificent temple. Lovely pairings...

Bikram said...

another lovely paitning and some of the paintings like the one on the roof are so beautiful toooo

Bikram's

Rajesh said...

Since I have been to this temple I can appreciate these paintings.

AmitAag said...

Wow! I loved it:)

Caz said...

Oh wow this is so fab, I love everything about it!

Indrani said...

Beautiful work. I had been there and I want to be there again. :)

Mridula said...

Incredible painting, I can't even draw a straight line with a scale! Totally awesome.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I was awestruck by the paintings. I have never been to Thanjavur but have heard that there are many places to visit in Thanjavur but now Brihadeeswara Temple tops my list.