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Placeholder image for Thanjavur Painting — Tamil Nadu (Handicrafts)
Handicrafts · Tamil Nadu

Thanjavur Painting

GI Registered Tamil Nadu Handicrafts

Gilded panel paintings with real gold leaf and gem inlay — devotion rendered in relief.

GI numberGI-9
Registered
Goods class16
Typical price₹5,000 - ₹2,00,000
ProprietorThanjavur Oviya Padhukappu Sangam
StateTamil Nadu

The story

Thanjavur (Tanjore) painting arose in the Maratha court of the 17th century: deities painted on wood panels, ornamented with gesso relief, glass gems and 22-carat gold foil, so that the image literally glows in lamp-light. The style's rounded, benevolent faces and architectural arches make it instantly recognisable in any south Indian home shrine.

How it is made

  1. Cloth is pasted on jackfruit/teak wood plank and primed with chalk paste.
  2. The deity is sketched; ornament areas built up in gesso relief (muk).
  3. Glass gems set into the relief; 22k gold foil applied over it.
  4. Painting completed in vivid mineral pigments around the gilding.

◈ How to identify the authentic Thanjavur Painting

What to check

  • Genuine gold foil glows warm under angled light; imitation foil looks brassy.
  • Raised gesso relief you can feel under the gold.
  • Wood panel base with cloth layer — not printed canvas.
  • GI-registered artist societies in Thanjavur region.

Employs pure 22-karat gold foil that never loses its luster. Replicas use faux gold paint or tinted plastic sheets that tarnish over months.

Price to expect

Genuine Thanjavur Painting typically sells in the range of ₹5,000 - ₹2,00,000. Prices far below that range are a common sign of an imitation.

Where to buy

Look for authorised sellers such as Thanjavur Art & Craft Cooperative Society, or government emporia and cooperatives in Tamil Nadu.

Registry record

Registry record: GI-9 · Registered 2007 · Proprietor: Thanjavur Oviya Padhukappu Sangam

Region and market

Thanjavur paintings are produced in a few studios in Thanjavur and neighbouring towns such as Kumbakonam, and are often commissioned for home shrines, weddings and temples. Common subjects include Krishna, Rama, Lakshmi, Ganesha and Nataraja. Master painters may spend weeks on a single panel, and larger works can be very expensive due to the gold leaf and precious or semi-precious stones sometimes used.

Buying guide

Check for raised gesso work that you can feel under the gold, and look for genuine gold leaf that shines warmly rather than a flat yellow. The base should be wood with cloth, not printed canvas. Ask the artist's name and whether real gold and stones are used. Buy from Thanjavur studios, Poompuhar emporia and registered artist societies, and keep paintings out of damp or direct sunlight.

Frequently asked questions

What is the GI registration number of Thanjavur Painting?

This catalogue lists Thanjavur Painting as GI-9. Registration numbers should be confirmed against the official GI Journal before commercial use.

Where is Thanjavur Painting made?

Thanjavur Painting is produced in Tamil Nadu, in the handicrafts category of this catalogue.

Can Thanjavur Painting legally be made outside Tamil Nadu?

No. GI protection means only producers within the notified region of Tamil Nadu may legally sell goods under the name “Thanjavur Painting”.

What does genuine Thanjavur Painting cost?

Genuine Thanjavur Painting typically sells in the range of ₹5,000 - ₹2,00,000. Prices far below this range are a common sign of an imitation.

How can I spot a fake Thanjavur Painting?

Employs pure 22-karat gold foil that never loses its luster. Replicas use faux gold paint or tinted plastic sheets that tarnish over months.

Where should I buy genuine Thanjavur Painting?

Look for authorised sellers such as Thanjavur Art & Craft Cooperative Society, or government emporia and cooperatives in Tamil Nadu.