‘Chithra Sabhai’ at Courtallam will get a coat

The murals of the ‘Chithra Sabhai’ at Courtallam will get a coat of herbal paint in the next few months.‘Chithra Sabhai,’ or the hall of pictures, at Courtallam, will be restored in the next few months, thanks to the initiative of the Department of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment.Architecturally, ‘Chithra Sabhai’ resembles other ‘sabhas’ of Lord Nataraja elsewhere in Tamil Nadu. Its interior is decorated with hundreds of beautiful murals, depicting images from the epics. When the artworks, created using paint made of herbal extracts, started losing their splendour, a coat of enamel painting was given in 1970. This triggered a hue and cry among the public, who complained that the enamel painting spoilt the grandeur of the murals.

To breathe in fresh life into the paintings created during the Pandya dynasty, the HR and CE department will rope in experts from the Government College of Fine Arts in Chennai.“Though it was initially estimated that the noble exercise, which is likely to begin by August 15, would cost Rs. 13 lakh, it may go up to Rs. 20 lakh. After experts from Chennai inspect the paintings, the date will be decided. We intend to complete the work before January 2008, as we plan to perform kumbhabishekam at the Kuttraalanathar temple during that time,” P. Bhaskaran, Joint Commissioner, HR and CE, Tirunelveli, told reporters here on Monday.

The carbon deposits on the walls would be removed and the gaps filled with herbal gum. The restored paintings would be encased in glass panels. Those who want to support the HR and CE Department in its endeavour may contact P. P. Bhaskaran, Joint Commissioner, HR and CE, 52-A/1, Thiruvananthapuram Highway, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli – 627 002. Ph. 0462– 2572783 and 94426–37484.