Tanjore art belongs to the aesthetic tradition of South India. The themes of most Tanjore paintings are Vaishnavite in nature (Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, etc) and/or feature South Indian saints of the Hindu pantheon. The Tanjore painting that you see on this page is a depiction of Devi Durga, a Shakti cult deity who is popular in Eastern India.
The iconography, however, is distinctly North Indian. Placidity characterises the dashabhujadharini (ten-armed) beauty. Her anteriormost right hand is raised in the aashirvada (blessing) mudra. Implements of Vaishnava importance, such as the shankha va cakra, in Her posterior hands.
Clearly, this work of Thanjavur art is a fusion of contemporary iconographies and aesthetics of the subcontinent. The ample gold inlay work - from Durga’s choli and shringar to Her multitudinous weapons - are complemented by red, green, and blue jewel tones.
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