Lakshmi Narayanan practices Tanjore painting, a tradition rooted in the temple art of Thanjavur. He studied under a master painter for six years before opening his own studio. Tanjore paintings are distinctive for their use of gold foil, semi-precious stones and raised plaster work to create images of deities, courtly scenes and geometric compositions. Lakshmi brings a steady hand and a deep familiarity with the iconographic conventions of South Indian art. He also creates geometric and architectural compositions that draw on the same materials and techniques but suit contemporary spaces.
The process begins with a drawing on cloth-covered wooden board. Raised areas are built up with a mixture of chalk powder and gum. Gold foil is carefully applied over these raised sections. Colours are filled using natural and synthetic pigments. Semi-precious stones or glass beads are set into the composition for accent.
By Lakshmi Narayanan · Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
By Lakshmi Narayanan · Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
