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Tanjore and Mysore Paintings at the CSMVS Mumbai

A chubby, naked, fair Krishna , holding a butter ball, covered in golden ornaments, Yashoda by his side, an indulgent smile on her face, even as her finger is raised in admonition. Rama and Sita seated on the throne, Lakshmana on one side, Bharata and Shatrughna on the other, surrounded by sages and kings; Rama a distinctive green in colour. These are both popular themes in Tanjore Art. I first saw both these in temples, the Navaneetha Krishna in many homes as well, if not original, at least a recent replica or just a copy. The Ramar Pattabhishekam I have better memories of, having seen it often at the Matunga Bhajan Samaj in Mumbai, as well as at my mother-in-law’s ancestral house in Thanjavur. The latter especially is close to our family’s heart, and it’s an exquisite piece of work, the expressions on Rama and Sita’s faces as intricately done as the gold work that surrounds them. Navaneetha Krishna Beautiful as they are , to me, they are associated with divinity more than just wor
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Mariamman Teppakulam, Madurai



This temple is built in the centre of a tank next to the Mariamman Temple at Madurai. Called the Mariamman Teppakulam, this is where the annual float festival (Theppotsavam in Tamil) takes place. 

One of the largest temple tanks in southern India, this one measures about 1100 ft by 950 ft. The island at the centre has a garden with a temple enshrining Lord Ganesha. It was built in the 17th century, and is connected to the river Vaigai by underground channels! Unfortunately today, neither the river nor the tank has any water! The Teppotsavam or float festival is celebrated in the month of Jan/Feb, when the main deities of Madurai - Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are brought here in a grand procession and taken in a float around the temple. 

For more information, click here. 

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