Status of traditional Indian Art

The importance given to the traditional Indian art is declining and this fact is very evident from the lack of importance laid by the authorities. I happened to visit the famous Brihadeeswra temple in Tanjavur, well known as prized architectural site completed during 11th century by Rajaraja Chola I. This Lord Shiva temple is famous for it's single stone sculptured shikara weighting about 81.25 tons,  which is a unique creation of the Chola dynasty. The paintings from these temples are made of vegetable dyes and thus these paintings degrade by time and also due to the non-maintenance by the authorities. Every paintings depict stories on Lord shiva and the ancient scripts portray the construction details with uniqueness of the temple.

 For the people of India, temple is a place of worship, to obtain peace and forgetting burdens in life, but today’s government officials and the temple authorities misuse these site for business purposes. Some auctions are being held at the tanjavore  temple which completely isolate the main purpose of a temple built for. Besides auctions this dwelling place is rented for film shootings and other commercial purposes that points to the loss of its significance.

 The endearing sculpture arts found in the Tanjavur temple not only signifies the storyline of Lord shiva but also the impeccable style of the sculptors. These sculptors were praised by  Kings and Queens along with high remuneration during those times. But in today’s modern world, the attentions given to those creative people is almost nil. Also that people emerging in the field of sculpture art and traditional paintings is very minimal. Inspite of some old aged people found carving the sculptures of deities, the value of the traditional carving is lost in both quality and style. The authorities on the other hand ruin the nature of such precious places by non-implementation of awareness measures on the difficulty of the indian art and misemployment .

 India well known for it's sculpture art ever since the time of Indus Valley Civilization is loosing its fame. Therefore, it is necessary for us to preserve the declining beauty and the people in the field of art, so a strong voice should be raised against those who abuse such priceless places of devotion and art. Such heart-breaking acts just not prevail in Tanjavur temple but also in various other historical spots which has to be foreseen.