Thombai and Granary

#Thombai  #granary #comparison #fabrics #Tamil #thirupalathurai

Thombai is  an appliquéd articles which specially intended to decorate the chariots especially in   temples of Tamil nadu region which  also it is utilized in the entrance part of the door ways of the shrines  ,it exist in various sizes ,usually a long hangings It is an Significant ornament while decorating the  chariots , which renders a pleasant look to the viewer and increases the aesthetic beauty of the chariot while it is in motion.
Thombai is  comprised of fabric which have appliquéd with various images such as elephants , swans , holy bulls ,floral motifs, even geometric shapes which depends upon the temple or the application for which this piece is intended , earlier it was made by painted or block printed motifs ,those cloth is  fashioned into a cylindrical structure  with metal wires inserted into both edges, to hold the shape in olden days it was made by bamboo sticks a cap (Thoppi)has been attached at the top of the Thombai  at the end of Thombai it is ended with Frills (or) tassels  and  pleats.

Here for making a comparison with pre existing ones this ornamental element is being compared with granary in some of the region it is called as Thombai which used store the grains , ancient primitive granaries are Ancient or primitive granaries are most often made out of pottery still we could  see those in the  rural regions of Tamilnadu and through the India.  It is built some space above the ground to keep the stored food grains away from rodent attack, rain, etc to protect for future need by forecasting any droughts, floods , etc In Tamilnadu the names of granary may very form place to place according to the size and storage capacity here in this comparison macro size Granary of #Palaivananathar Swamy temple, at ( thirupalathurai ) Papanasamis shown which is made out of lime and mortar over brick structure it was built during the period of nayak ruler Raghunatha Nayak (1600 to 1634 )., the capacity of the granary shown here is around 3000 kalam or measure. Dimension of this circular structure is : breadth at the center maximum 86 feet or 26 m by height 36 feet or 11m.

So the granary thombai and ornamental element Thombai shares a similar shape and finding it own application in temple premises one in ornamentation and one in storage here I could see the similarity of these two and made a self exploration and comparision.

---- Ramu.Rm.N

a comparison srivilliputtur andal temple girdle

#Indian_girdles  #Srivilliputtur #Andal #kothai #vintage_picture  #comparison #ottiyanam #Indian_jewelry  #oddisa   #comparison #girdle  #Indian_jewelry #Orissa #kamarbandh #classicalart #nayakas #Tamilnadu

#Girdles are the ornament used since ancient times in the waist part  and  we could witness those in each and every historic images,  sculpture of gods, kings and queens., This Girdles are made out of  gold are  rigid and in some cases they are  flexible. In south india rigid waist belt were  commonly known as #Oddiyanam is the flexible one as  #Arapatta . the very purpose of the Girdles encircle the attire and which holds the bottom piece of clothing, that complements the texture of traditional outfits.

Here in this instance which shown below shows  the precious stone studded  golden girdle from #Srivilliputtur temple  which is used to adorn by the processional deity Andal nachiyar along with all  jewelleries used during annular  festival occasions could be a nayak era one  and also in another part a  late 19 th century photograph of a south India women from Tamilnadu is shown on which a lady adorned with Victorian Edwardian 1837-1910 era south Indian golden jewelleries among which similar magnificent griddle also  we could witness girdle ( ottiyanam ) so from these pictured could understand the usage of griddle from deity to the common public is quite common and also similar pattern do exist for some centuries too.

#Kamarbandh vs #arapattam

‌One more flexible girdle ( #arapattam / #megalai ) from #Srivilliputtur temple  which is used to adorn by the processional deity Andal nachiyar along with the precious jewelleries used during #Ennaikappu urcham (December–January) this  flexible waist belt could be a nayak era one.  And also we can  see the similar flexible girdle made out of silver is used in oddisa's classical art forms. #Odissi costumes is known for its elaborate filigree #kamar_bandh (girdle) similar patterns of this girdle still exist in oddisa's classical art .
‌

-- Ramu.Rm.N

Palliyodam and Bengal terracotta reliefs

Kerala palliyodam vs Bangladesh terracotta relief sculptures #comparison 

#Palliyodams are Aranmula’s unique snake boat (Chundan Vallam) Race are the oldest riverboat fiesta in Kerala held during #Onam (August–September). It takes place at Aranmula, near a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Arjuna (Parthasarathi). These Palliyodams belong to different Karas (rustic parts) on the banks of river #Pampa.The boat-race normally takes place during the Uthrattathi Star of Malayalam calendar month “Chingam”.These snake boats or 'chundanvallam' are up to 100 feet long and bring the serene backwaters to life. People go to these events in large numbers to watch these palliyodam ( #snake_boats ) move in pairs which go head to head in rhythm to the old boat songs sung in full volume which attracts a lot of tourists every year to Kerala during onam.

 As like as kerala The topography of Bengal and the rivers #Ganga and #Brahmaputra traverse the region with many tributaries and branches, Thus a transport system emerged using different boats for navigation on the rivers and its canals. These boats then got captured on ₹terracotta depictions by the craftsmens which looks like the palliyodams used in the Kerala region these boats have the prow with the structure of the head of  the crocodile,elephant and peacock. Some boats have dragon-heads too. I had compared the terracotta relief boats shown in #Kantanagar Temple. It is an eighteenth century brick temple, situated in the peaceful island hamlet of Kantanagar Kantanagar, about 12 miles north of Dinajpur town in Bangladesh which looks similar as Kerala's  unique traditional Palliyodams or  snake boats (Chundan Vallam).

-- Ramu.Rm.N

coral jewelry comparison

#Coral_polyps  #comparison #natural_Coral_Branch #jewelry #madurai  #unique #Coral #பவளகொடி

Madurai meenakshi sundareswarar temple unique neckalce called pavala thadaba malai is used during some important occasions , actually that pavala thadaba malai  (big coral branch neck set ) which is made out of coral read , a complete  coral branch has been polished and used as a pendent which is adorned to the diety with jewlleries , and also Victorian Edwardian 1837-1910 period natural salmon coral branch made of 14k gold fill PIN #BROOCH about 2" wide by 1.75" tall from San Francisco’Lang Antique & Estate Jewelry is also depicted in this comparision picture with that  Living coral reefs pictures from #Red_sea & Sea Life #London Aquarium ( Coral Kingdom ) which gives the visitors a close-up look at a fully-functioning reef habitat shows the vivid colours of the corals.is also shown

-- Ramu.Rm.N

tiger_claw jewelry comparison

#Tiger_claw were  worn by eminent personalities, tribals, villagers, tantriks, spells casters, rich peoples worldwide.Tiger Claws were werd to show there courage and  Royalness to society the tiger this is widely used in ancient India, the tiger claw is a symbol of bravery and the wearer of tiger claws may symbolizes one who has cleared all evils in him and is in  pure state. There are some believes existed during olden days such as wearing of tiger claws will provides wearer the courage to combat enemies. It adds to the mental health in the wealth. It raises the will power. Protects against black magic as well as other spells. Wards with the negatives energies, evil powers and weakens the courage of opponents. It infuses the charm inside the wearer to ensure everybody gets attracted and influenced. 

Pic1:

10th century Thakuri period Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Transcendent Wisdom from in an Awesome Aspect, from Nepal (Kathmandu Valley) made of copper alloy an gold pointed displayed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City. Manjushri is rarely represented in his wrathful form. Here both his aggressive stance and his fearsome face flared eyes, knotted eyebrows, and exposed teeth speak to his angry nature. In addition to the sword, the triple-knot hairstyle and he has been shown a the necklace made of  tiger-claws and talismans.

Pic2:

Indonesia (Central Java) golden tigers Claw Necklace dated to 8th-12th century. This necklace is made of nine golden tiger claws which are encrusted in golden wire and displayed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City. This necklace was gifted by Eilenberg-Rosen Partnership in 2001

Pic 3 :

This tiger claw necklace belonged to  Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop ( Queen of Hawaii). This necklace, in particular, features a twisted gold chain with nine tiger claws hanging from seven gold filigree balls and ovoid filigree clasp.  The center pendant is comprised of three claws, two side by side with crossed flags, and the third resembles a fish with pearl eyes, gold tail, backbone and a head hanging below those.

This type of jewelry became very popular after Queen Victoria assumed the title of Empress of India in 1876. Queen Kapiolani , Queen Liliuokalani and Queen Emma also wore this type of tiger claw jewelry displayed at  Honolulu Museum of Art  United States.

Pic4:

Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop with a tiger claw  necklace and earnings(December 19, 1831 – October 16, 1884), the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

Pic5: 

A 19 th century Indian Tiger Claw Necklace made of gold from Bombay, Maharashtra. This necklace is made of eight tiger claws an twisted with gold chain  and golden beads which was donated as  gift of Stacie Bunn in memory of Dr. Ian and Marie Scrimgeour to  Royal Ontario Museum at Toronto.

Pic6: 

7 th century karthikeya ( Subramaniyan ) sculpture from #Parasurameshwara temple. Karthikeya shown with the tiger claw necklace. This necklace, in particular, features a twisted in a chain with four tiger claws in the center a talisman is used a pendant.

-- Ramu.Rm.N

Gold coins & madurai velliambalam.

While go through the madurai meenakshi sundareswar temple monthly calendar I found this picture of Velliambala natraja (spectacular pose of the lord natraja after switching over the right foot ) bronze with different types of  kasumalai  in that Ducat gold coins and East India 1/3 mohur gold coins were used.

1/3 Mohur ( 5 rupees ) gold coin was issued by East India Company ,Madras Presidency India in 1819. This couns were minted by Madras Mint. Symbolism used in the coin is Lion standing on shield in the backside of the coin there is a Persian inscription Legend in Persian (translation: Five Rupees of the Honourable English Company) each coin weights around 3.8800g..

Venetian ducat issued by Antonio Venier 1382–1400. This coin is a classic example of the symbolism used to propagate the idea of divinely-sanctioned right to rule—on the obverse we see the duke receiving the banner of Venice from Saint Mark the Venetian patron Saint standing giving gonfalone to the kneeling doge.
The reverse depicts Christ in a nimbus. This coins have a purity of 99.47% gold with a weight of 3.545 grams. Its was the highest purity that metallurgy could produce during the medieval period.

During the fourteenth to eighteenth centuries Venice in Italy traded with the ports of Western and Southern India. The Venetian traders brought Venetian ducats, the gold coins, to India issued by Venetian rulers — Francis Lorendano, Paul Rainier and Peter Grimani.

The Venetian ducats were in great demand in mediaeval Kerala. As these coins bore the figure of St. Mark, they were regarded as sacred objects by the Syrian Christians of Kerala.The Indian rulers purchased these coins as gifts for priests and scholars. These ducats were valued in India for their reliability in gold purity and unchanging weight so ducats were also used in jewellery and often exchanged hands as dowry. The ducats were called as Putali /Potli or porkili ( பொற்கிழி ) because as these ducats were given as dowry in a string bag (potli).
The ducats later found its way into the jewelry also and many were worn as necklaces.

--Ramu.Rm.N