Tirupati Balaji-Patachitra

Dimensions : 6 x 4 Inches

The handmade palm leaf etchings-‘Talapatrachitras’ portray the magnanimous image of Balaji from Tirupati-one of the manifestations of Lord Vishnu. The painting shows Balaji elegantly draped in finest of clothes and jewelry, standing on an embellished pedestal with his arms raised in an upright position. The garlands of daffodils around the deity complement the persona of the deity. The treatment and composition of the painting in natural colors makes it an enthralling piece of art.

The painting is done on dried palm leaves. The palm leaves are cut into rectangular pieces of the desired size, and stitched together with a black thread. Then, the design is etched, followed by filling of colors. The palm leaf etchings stand out for their detailed delineation and elegant compositions in natural colors.

According to the folklores it is said that once Sage Bhrugu visited Vishnu, who was in a private meeting with his consort Goddess Lakshmi. Vishnu was not able to immediately receive the Sage, which infuriated him and in anger he kicked Vishnu’s chest-the abode of Goddess Lakshmi. Vishnu remained silent, however Lakshmi was offended and left Vaikunth- the abode of Vishnu.

Distressed Vishnu, incarnated himself as Venkateswara and came to earth in search of Lakshmi. Meanwhile, Lakshmi had taken birth as Princess Padmavati. The princess father agreed to marry off his daughter to Venkateswara on a condition that he should be able to prove his wealth. For that Vishnu had to take loan from Kuber- the god of wealth. Having proved himself he was able to get united with Padmavati.

The Lord Vishnu in the form of Venkateshwara and his consort are believed to have enshrined at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh India.