Thanjavur Paintings in Koviloor

The bejeweled paintings known as Tanjavur Painting have been more popular in Tamil Nadu than their birthplace, the land of the Marathas.  These craft oriented paintings demand a high degree of precision and generally portray the Hindu pantheon of gods.  This style of painting has become very popular in the recent years; nevertheless in most cases they are only copies of the ancient works.  The Koviloor Mutt near Karaikkudi in Sivganga District is the home excellent works of this genre depicting stories of the 63 Nayanars (Saivite Saints) and the 64 miracles of Lord Siva known as Thiruvilayadal Puranam as also a few pictures of gods and goddesses.  These were specially painted for the Mutt over 200 years ago.  This book contains photographic reproductions of the rich, colourful Tanjavur Paintings of Koviloor Mutt.