A Study On Environmentally Safe Art And Architecture In Thanjavur District, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

The period between 1532 and 1799 A.D. in Thanjavur constitutes the most brilliant chapter in the history of South Indian art and architecture. The rulers of Thanjavur in this period derived their semblance and sense from the school of arts maintained by their erstwhile predecessors, the Cholas and the Vijayanagar rulers. The art and architecture admired and patronised by them are discussed at length in the following pages. The art of miniature painting had its entry in Tamil country only during this period. The period between sixteenth and eighteenth centuries witnessed an important epoch in the history of South Indian Fine arts. Musicians were colonised in a particular place and Melattirrwas an important place where five hundred musicians were colonised in the Nayak period. Thanjavur was also the centre of manufacturing of more kinds musical instruments including Vina. Lavani music was introduced in this region by the Marathas. Thanjavur attained cultural sanctity by being the abode of musical trinity, namely, Thiagarajar, Muthusamy Dikshitar and Shama Sastri. Bharatanatya attained greater importance along with other kinds of dances. The Nayak rule witnessed the establishment of Nataka sabha for the first time in Thanjavur.