There are umpteen pages on Facebook relating to Thanjavur a…

also selling their customised works. They r reasonable and professional in their approach.The open groups mostly have dalals who sell the material needed for the art.They are highly priced and mostly cheat prospective gullible people. What I observed is there r many xtians who r

into painting this art form. While I have nothing to do with the religion of an individual it increased my curiosity and I followed their art. The ability to twist stuff to suit artistic liberties is just so on the face! Obviously they will because there is no religious sanctity!

What I want to say is they do not understand why a certain God is drawn or painted in a certain way! Tanjavur art traditionally is about painting Gods/Goddesses in a full form and there are rules n regulations to it. Now I see many of them painting only mukham or faces of Gods

Goddesses since it involves less work/cost & thus more commercially viable. It is easy on a common man's purse due to less price & thus the affordability to hang a Thanjavur art on their home wall.Tis a pity really!
What have we brought ourselves to? Is it all about selling?

A number of old traditional artists still maintain discipline of not getting tempted to make these half hearted stuff. I applaud them since they have not got tempted to give away their 'kalai' for some money although they all live really difficult lives. There r artists who sadly

say because of this their children hv not followed their footsteps to continue the tradition or the art form. A sad reality. This is where the Govt should step in really. Why cant the traditional art forms of our country be a part of primary and secondary school syllabus? It need

not be compulsory but it will help in 2 ways. The artists children get an opportunity to do normal education and at the same time learn their traditional art. If they r not interested in their art they can pursue other things. At the same time there may be other youngsters who

may be interested in pursuing the art form but would never get an opportunity to learn otherwise. It works both ways! In Sikkim the traditional Thangka art is given somuch importance. In fact there r art schools which enable alternate education too over there. Why cant this be

emulated in other states I wonder!
The reason for this thread is I was pained to see some disappointing art on Facebook today! Thanjavur art is divine and pure..lets all strive to keep it just that..
The next time you see only a Krishna mukham..resist the temptation to buy it.

Insist on a beautiful image of Krishna with his cow playing the flute or with Radha on a swing, or a Navaneetha Krishna or a Venna Krishna with Yashoda ma..
The same with Venkatesha Perumal..
Dont buy only a Perumal face! His hands bless us not the face! So with Goddess Durga or

Ganesha..
Dont know if artists feel the way I do but am sure most thinking people would understand what I hv tried to convey!
For ever my friend and admirer of my art @aparnasridhar7 am sure u agree with me..
Tagging
@mayfair1958
@shivaniojha
@rohit121171 since all of you too!