Tanjore art work, one of the traditional art form of India, was originated in the early 18th century at Tanjore(300 kms from Chennai), India. Tanjore or Thanjavur as it is called today acquired its name from the ancient pronunciation of the place, which was then called “Thanjavoor”.
It was the period when mighty Chola dynasty was at the peak of cultural evolution. Magnifecient temples were being constructed. It was against this setting that this highly specialized form of art with its characteristically beautiful ornamental relief work flourished under the patronage of Maratha rulers when they occupied Thanjavour.This art form reached its zenith during the rule of Sarfoji,a great patron of art and the last maratha ruler in Tanjore.

With the decline of dyanastic rule in Tanjore the tanjore artists devided into 3 groups. One headed towards Vuyaioor, another to Mysore and third stayed in Tanjore itself. The artists developed their own specific style over the period with Tanjore group concentrating more on use of stones and gold foils , the Vuyaioor on decorative garlands and Mysore artists emphasising more on intricate designing and painting.The artists from various different places also converged to Tanjore and their style was also reflected in the works done by them. As such no two paintings can be alike and no two artists can give the same effects on the work.
Slowly this art work came to a decline since being the traditional work limited innovation was possible and artists were very secretive about its techniques.this forced the artists to reveal it and thus this art form gained its past glory once again and today passing through generations, these paintings adorns not only temples but house holds office, spaces and shopping places etc also.
The art has undergone quite a bit of change, not in the style of the painting, but in the use of raw material for preparing the board and the use of painting material as well as the use of synthetic material in place of precious stones.
The use of pure gold foil of 22/ 24 carat continues and the life of such paintings is long if done and preserved in a correct manner. Generally tanjore paintings are considered hairloom since use of gold and stones make them last from generation to generation.

Usualy Indian mythology is the subject of Tanjore paintings, Lord Krishna being the most favorite god. The figures in these paintings are large and the faces are round and divine with almond shaped big eyes. Back ground colour is usually red or indigo blue. Some time green is also used. Similarly there are fixed colours for gods also. Like blue for Lord Krishan,green for Rama,chalk white for Natraja and yellow for all goddesses.

The brilliant colour schemes, decorative jewellery with use of precious and semi precious stones and intricate relief work done in pure gold, is the distinctive style of Tanjore paintings. It is the liberal use of stones and gold which raises the cost of painting any thing from rs 2000 to rs 2 lakhs. Paintings come in various sizes, ranging from huge works spanning the whole walls, to small miniatures no longer than 6-inches.
Tanjore Paintings can be placed inside the puja room at home, hotels, corporate offices and other business establishments as well. These paintings are given as beautiful memorable gifts for all the special occasions also.

These paintings exploit the traditional intricate artistic details to amalgamate with religion, to allow the admirer the spiritual experience