ASKiIMAN™ REALM 41 / SOUTH INDIAN PAINTING
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The Gilded Icons

Tanjore, Mysore & The Regional Manuscript Traditions (16th C onwards)

REALM 41 — SOUTH INDIAN & REGIONAL

MICRO-REALM 01

Maratha Patronage

  • Thanjavur (Tanjore) under Maratha rule (17th C).
  • Fusion of Deccani, Vijayanagara, and Maratha styles.
  • Created dense, iconic, devotional art.
MICRO-REALM 02

Embossed Gesso

  • Paste of limestone and binding agent (Arabic gum).
  • Applied to create 3D relief structures (pillars, crowns).
  • Gives Tanjore paintings their sculptural quality.
MICRO-REALM 03

Gold Foil (22k)

  • Pure gold foil pressed onto the gesso relief.
  • Remains untarnished for centuries.
  • Reflects lamp light in dark shrine rooms.
MICRO-REALM 04

Kundan & Gems

  • Inlay of semi-precious stones (Jaipur glass/rubies).
  • Decorates jewelry, arches, and garments.
  • Adds vibrant color contrast to the heavy gold.
MICRO-REALM 05

Tanjore Iconography

  • Child Krishna (Balakrishna) is the most popular subject.
  • Figures have rounded faces, almond eyes, robust bodies.
  • Framed within an ornate arch (Prabhavali).
MICRO-REALM 06

Mysore Painting

  • Wadiyar dynasty patronage.
  • More delicate linework and muted color palette than Tanjore.
  • Uses flat gold leaf without the heavy 3D gesso relief.
MICRO-REALM 07

Pattachitra (Odisha)

  • Cloth-based scroll painting dedicated to Lord Jagannath.
  • Intricate floral borders and bold, circular motifs.
  • No pencil outlines used; painted directly with brush.
MICRO-REALM 08

Kalamkari (Andhra)

  • "Pen-craft": Hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile.
  • Srikalahasti style (freehand drawing of Hindu epics).
  • Natural dyes (alum, iron rust, madder).
MICRO-REALM 09

Cheriyal Scrolls

  • Telangana tradition of narrative scroll painting.
  • Used by wandering storytellers (Nakash family).
  • Bright red background, vertical panel format.
MICRO-REALM 10

Ganjifa Cards

  • Hand-painted circular playing cards.
  • Popular in Mysore and Odisha.
  • Themes include Dashavatara (10 avatars of Vishnu).
MICRO-REALM 11

Mica Paintings

  • Trichinopoly (Tiruchirappalli) Company School style.
  • Painted on transparent sheets of mica.
  • Souvenirs for the British depicting local trades/festivals.
MICRO-REALM 12

Deccan-South Synthesis

  • Tanjore art absorbed Deccani and European elements.
  • Angels/Cherubs at the top of the arch.
  • Heavy draping and curtain motifs from theatrical traditions.