Rare paintings of the Vijayanagara period, said to have been made between the 15th and 16th centuries were discovered in the sanctum sanctorum of a temple recently.
The paintings came to light when the renovation work in Sri Kalyana Sundareswarar temple in Nallur village of Tiruvarur district was taken up ahead of the Maha Kumbabisekam of the temple slated to be held on August 30.
Kudvayil Balasubramanian, noted historian and archaeologist who was informed about the paintings visited the temple and studied them.
He said that the temple was located near the ancient city of Pazhayarai, the capital city of the Cholas, and found specific mention in the hagiographies of Tirunavukkarasar and Amarniti Nayanar.
There was evidence to show the temple was renovated and consecrated by Chola queen Sembian Mahadevi.
The paintings in the sanctum sanctorum were made during the rule of the Vijayanagara kings. Even though many of the paintings are faded, four figures are still visible clearly, Kudvayil Balasubramanian said.
The paintings depict Narada who plays the veena, an artist who keeps a pair of cymbals and child Skanda holding a lotus flower. The paintings are done with natural colours. He appealed to the authorities to preserve these paintings as they are vital to the history of paintings in Tamil Nadu.