Natural World
Historical background
Animals and plants generally appear in the background of scenes involving human activities. In some very rare cases, however, the natural world and fabulous creatures are the sole theme of the painting.
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: Shiva nurses the orphaned young wild boars, whose parents were killed in battle by Rajaraja Pandya. (TP 45)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Brihadishvara Temple complex;Thanjavur
Positioning: Courtyard, north colonnade
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: Shiva grants emancipation to a heron. (TP 48)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Brihadishvara Temple complex;Thanjavur
Positioning: Courtyard, north colonnade
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: The story of the vanni tree, the well, and the linga. (TP 64)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Brihadishvara Temple complex;Thanjavur
Positioning: Courtyard, north colonnade
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: The story of the vanni tree, the well and the linga. (TP 64)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Brihadishvara Temple complex;Thanjavur
Positioning: Courtyard, north colonnade
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: The story of the vanni tree, the well ,and the linga. (TP 64)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Brihadishvara Temple complex;Thanjavur
Positioning: Courtyard, north colonnade
Date: First half of the 19th century
Description: The story of the vanni tree, the welll, and the linga. (TP 64)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Brihadishvara Temple complex;Thanjavur
Positioning: Courtyard, north colonnade
Date: First half of the 18th century, restored
Description: Two parrots.
Location: Tamil Nadu Palace;Ramanathapuram
Positioning: Room 4 , The ‘King’s Bedroom’, arch
Date: Paintings: probably 18th century
Description: The slopes of Mount Kailasa populated by ascetics and wildlife.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Atmanatha Temple;Avudaiyarkoyil
Positioning: Nandishvara Manikkavachakar shrine, ceiling of the mandapa
Date: Paintings: probably 18th century
Description: Kailasa tableau; Elephants, nagas and yalis supporting Mount Kailasa; Beneath: Padal Petra Sthalams, the 275 Shaiva holy places celebrated in the hymns of the Shaiva saints; The first on the left is Tirupperunturai (Avudaiyarkoyil).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Atmanatha Temple;Avudaiyarkoyil
Positioning: Nandishvara Manikkavachakar shrine, ceiling of themandapa
Date: Paintings: probably 18th century
Description: One of the mountains abodes of Arumurugan (six-headed Murugan) populated by wildlife and ascetics. His vehicle, the peacock is prominently shown.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Atmanatha Temple;Avudaiyarkoyil
Positioning: Nandishvara Manikkavachakar shrine, ceiling of the mandapa
Date: Paintings: late 19th, early 20th century
Description: Sixth row: A pool in a grove.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Atmanatha Temple;Avudaiyarkoyil
Positioning: Sivananda Manikkavachakar shrine, south face
Date: Paintings: 18th-19th century
Description: Birds.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Vaidyanatha Temple;Srivilliputtur
Positioning: Mahamandapa, beam
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