Vijayanagar era paintings found at Nallur temple

A clutch of rare paintings dating back to the Vijayanagar era were found at the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Kalyanasundareswarar Temple at Nallur in the district recently.

Sundar Bharadwaj and Shankar Bharadwaj, donors, who have taken up renovation of the temple, spotted the paintings.

The Kumbabishekam of the temple is slated to be taken up on August 30.

Kudavayil Balasubramanian, historian and epigraphist, studied the paintings and concluded their historical authenticity. Though many paintings adorn the walls of the sanctum sanctorum, except four all have faded.

“The paintings are that of Naradar playing a veena, an artiste holding a pair of cymbals, moon, and child skanda holding a lotus.

They are painted using natural colours and the background is of dark hue with colourful flowers and clouds,” Mr.Balasubramanian said.

The temple belonging to Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam is one of the madakoils of Chola country and is located near the ancient city of Pazhayarai, the historical capital of the Cholas.

The temple finds a specific mention in the hagiography of saint Thirunavukarasar and Amarniti Nayanar and was renovated and reconsecrated by the Chola queen, Sembian Mahadevi.