Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu is known for its ancient artefacts, belonging to the period of the Cholas, Nayaks and Marathas. As per the reports of Local18, the place is also famous for its glass art, now considered a dying practice. To save it, several artists have appealed to the government to give it a GI tag. Let us take a look.
According to more information given, the Thanjavur Glass Art started during the reign of the Maratha King Serfoji II. This glass artwork is used in several artefacts for homes, pots, cones, sandalwood bowls, jewellery boxes, temples, mandaps and more.
Local18 reports suggest that right now, only one artist is keeping the art alive in Thanjavur and he is named Selvaraj. For over four decades, he has been working on this art. To keep the art afloat, the government has appointed 55 people to acquire training in glass artwork from Selvaraj. Their training has begun, states Local18.
So, considering the art practice’s current situation, the Government Advocate and Geographical Indications Coordinator, Sanjay Gandhi, has applied for its GI (Geographical Indication) tag. The application is made to the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation and Thanjavur Handicraft Workers Cooperative Cottage Industries Society, reports Local18.
Advocate Sanjay Gandhi is known for getting the GI tag to 10 items in Thanjavur, while in Tamil Nadu, it totals 19 items.
Local18 has shared an exclusive video showcasing how the artwork looks and is made. Selvaraj is seen using pieces of glass cut in various shapes. The cut glass is then pasted onto several objects, looking to be boxes, huge round trays, decoration items, cones and more. They use a small painting brush to apply the white glue on the objects, then stick the glass pieces to it.
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