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Tanjavur Art Plate
Why is it in News?
- Makers of the Tanjavur Art Plate are coming together for its cultural and commercial rejuvenation.
Tanjavur Art Plate:
- History:
(1) It is also known as Thanjavur kalai.
(2) It incorporates embossing, etching, engraving and filigree on metallic surfaces.
(3) It was patronised by Maratha ruler Serfoji II (1777-1832).
(4) Thanjavur Art Plate was given a Geographical Indications (GI) tag in 2007.
- How is it made?
(1) A hot paste of pungaliyatree resin and brick powder or red sand is poured into orifices of vessels which solidifies as it cools.
(2) It allows the artisan to work on the outer surface without denting the base.
(3) Once the design is finished, the solid paste is carefully removed from the interiors.
(4) The silver that use in these plates is 99.9% pure, because foil work cannot be done alloyed metal.
- Design:
(1) Religious motifs such as Ashtalakshmi(eight avatars of Goddess Lakshmi) and Dasavatharam (10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu), are commonly used on Thanjavur Art Plates.
(2) But designs can be varied to include corporate logos and Nature themes also.