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Monday, May 05, 2008
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Monday, May 05, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
WAITING FOR RESORATION: One of the ancient mural paintings on the walls of Sri Athmanathaswamy temple at Avudaiyarkovil in Pudukottai district. PUDUKOTTAI: Experts have come forward to offer consultancy for restoration of the ancient murals in the Athmanathaswamy temple at Avudaiyarkovil. The work is expected to begin shortly with the help of a few philanthropists. Temple sources say the response from philanthropists to the restoration is overwhelming. The temple is associated with the life of Sri Manickavasagar, a Saivite saint. The murals, dating back to the Nayak rule between the 17th and late 19th centuries, are a wonder, as each and every frame offers perfect details. Mostly they are to be found on the ceiling of the Periya Mandapam, the walls of the inner ‘prahara’ and the ceiling of Sivananda sannidhi, dedicated to Sri Manickavasagar. The Nayaks had used lime as a binding medium on the stonewalls and ceilings, and the paintings had been drawn in wet conditions. It is believed that this was executed after the area of painting that could be covered in a day was ascertained, because any unpainted area might dry up, unable to absorb the pigments of the murals. The murals depict the events in the life of Sri Manickavasagar, as also the deities of Shiva temples, including the Mylapore temple. One of the murals on the walls of the Sri Sivananda sannidhi depicts the ‘Avilbagam’ episode at the ‘yagam’ by Somasimara Nayanar at Tirumaagalam near Tiruvarur. The ‘Pasupadham’ incident showing Lord Shiva and Parvathi as a hunter family is yet another marvel. Each mural bears a serial number at its corner, perhaps indicating that the murals were recorded in some register or inventory. “Documentation is yet another feature of the murals,” says the former Curator of the Government Museum, R. Raja Mohamad, who has done extensive research on the murals. Over the centuries, the murals had deteriorated. The binding medium had peeled off at several places. “Care must be taken while restoring the murals,” says Jayaraj, curator for chemical conservation, Chennai Museum, who has conducted a study on the murals at various temples. Initially, the cracks should be analysed; salt deposits, if any, should be dissolved. Mr. Raja Mohamad says he will offer his expertise for the restoration work.
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