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From Vellore to Basavanagudi: Dimple M's Journey into the Art of Tanjore Painting
Written by
Swathi Katta
1 July 2026
Reviewed by Vibha Raj, Tanjore Artist
For Dimple M, it began with a simple wish from her mother. She had always wanted her daughter to learn the traditional art of Tanjore painting. That dream quietly stayed with Dimple until one day, while scrolling through Instagram, she came across Tanjore Collective and Vibha Ma'am's work. Something about it felt right.
She Traveled from Vellore to Learn Tanjore Painting. What She Found Was More Than an Art Class.
Sometimes, the journey to learning an art form begins long before stepping into the classroom.
For Dimple M, it began with a simple wish from her mother.
She had always wanted her daughter to learn the traditional art of Tanjore painting. That dream quietly stayed with Dimple until one day, while scrolling through Instagram, she came across Tanjore Collective and Vibha Ma'am's work. Something about it felt right.
Instead of putting it off for "someday," Dimple made a decision that many people hesitate to make.
She travelled all the way from Vellore, Tamil Nadu, to Bangalore to learn Tanjore painting in person.
Over the next six and a half weeks, she immersed herself in our Gajalakshmi Studio Course, spending every Tuesday and Thursday morning at our Basavanagudi studio. Along with three other mentors, Vibha Ma'am guided her through every stage of creating her own 12" × 15" Tanjore painting—from preparing the relief work and placing each stone to applying gold foil and bringing Goddess Gajalakshmi to life with colour.
What started as a course soon became something much more meaningful.
A Beautiful Wish Passed from One Generation to the Next
Every student walks into our studio carrying a different story.
Some want to explore a new hobby. Some are looking for a creative outlet. Others have admired Tanjore paintings for years and finally decide to learn.
For Dimple, the journey carried an emotional connection.
It wasn't simply about learning a traditional art form—it was about fulfilling something her mother had always wished for her.
That personal connection gave every class a deeper purpose. Each session wasn't just another lesson; it was another step toward honouring a dream that had quietly stayed with her for years.
> *"My mom always wanted me to learn this beautiful art form, so I came all the way from Vellore to Bangalore after seeing Vibha Ma'am's Instagram posts."*
Sometimes the greatest motivation isn't external at all. It's knowing that the work you're creating carries meaning beyond yourself.
"I Thought It Would Be Easy..."
Many people admire Tanjore paintings without fully understanding what goes into creating one.
The shimmering gold, the intricate relief work, the carefully placed stones—they appear effortless in a finished painting.
The reality is quite different.
Like many beginners, Dimple arrived thinking the process might be fairly straightforward.
Very quickly, she discovered that Tanjore painting asks something different from the artist.
It asks for patience.
It asks for focus.
And perhaps most importantly, it asks you to slow down.
"At first, I thought Tanjore painting would be easy, but I soon realized that it requires a lot of patience, focus, and attention to detail."
This is one of the most rewarding moments we witness as teachers.
Students stop rushing toward the finished artwork and begin enjoying the process itself.
Every carefully shaped relief pattern.
Every stone placed with intention.
Every delicate brushstroke.
The painting teaches you as much as you create it.
Learning Without the Fear of Making Mistakes
Trying something new can feel intimidating.
Especially when you're creating traditional artwork that has been practiced for centuries.
One mistake can feel overwhelming.
One imperfect line can make beginners doubt themselves.
That's why the learning environment matters just as much as the lessons themselves.
Throughout the course, Dimple found herself surrounded by mentors who understood that confidence grows through encouragement—not criticism.
"Not only Vibha Ma'am, but also the mentors who teach and guide the students were incredibly patient and supportive. They explained every step clearly with a warm smile and appreciated even the smallest efforts, which kept me motivated throughout the learning process."
Our studio classes are intentionally kept interactive so that every student receives personal guidance.
Whether someone needs help correcting relief work, mixing colours, or simply reassurance before trying something new, there is always a teacher nearby.
Sometimes, all it takes is someone saying, "You're doing well. Keep going."
Those small moments often become the reason students believe in themselves.
Watching Confidence Grow with Every Session
Over six and a half weeks, something remarkable happens.
Students stop asking if they're doing it correctly.
Instead, they begin making artistic decisions with confidence.
They learn to trust their own hands.
That transformation was especially visible in Dimple's work.
Being naturally gifted, she quickly developed a keen eye for detail and demonstrated remarkable care in every stage of the painting. But what stood out even more was her willingness to learn.
She listened carefully.
She practised patiently.
She embraced every suggestion from the mentors.
Talent certainly helps, but dedication is what allows that talent to flourish.
By the end of the course, her Gajalakshmi painting reflected not only technical skill but also the quiet confidence she had built through consistent practice.
More Than a Classroom
Creative learning flourishes in the right atmosphere.
The studio isn't simply a place where students complete paintings.
It's where conversations happen over tea breaks.
Where students admire one another's progress.
Where challenges are shared and small victories are celebrated together.
That sense of community became one of Dimple's favourite parts of the experience.
"Most importantly, the environment was very peaceful, friendly, and encouraging, making every class enjoyable and inspiring."
We often say that students come here to learn painting, but they leave with much more.
They leave with memories.
Friendships.
Confidence.
And a renewed appreciation for slowing down in an increasingly fast-paced world.
Why Creating Your Own Painting Feels Different
Toward the end of her journey, Dimple shared something that beautifully captures why we teach Tanjore painting in the first place.
"I would also encourage people to learn and create a Tanjore painting themselves instead of simply buying one. The experience of making your own artwork is truly precious and heartwarming, and it gives you a much deeper appreciation for the craft."
A finished Tanjore painting is undeniably beautiful.
But the experience of creating one yourself is something entirely different.
When you've carefully embossed every ornament...
Applied each sheet of gold...
Placed every individual stone...
And painted every intricate detail...
The artwork becomes part of your own story.
It carries memories of every challenge you overcame along the way.
No purchased painting can ever replace that feeling.
A Beginning, Not the Destination
One of the things that made Dimple's journey particularly special was her genuine curiosity.
She isn't someone who sees creativity as a single destination.
She loves exploring different art forms, learning new techniques, and challenging herself as an artist.
That mindset made every class exciting.
Rather than simply aiming to complete a course, she embraced the opportunity to grow.
Students like Dimple remind us why traditional art continues to thrive.
Not because people are looking for another hobby.
But because they are searching for experiences that are meaningful, immersive, and deeply rewarding.
We have no doubt that her artistic journey will continue far beyond this first Tanjore painting.
If You've Never Painted Before...
Many people hesitate before enrolling.
"I'm not artistic."
"I've never held a paintbrush."
"What if I can't do it?"
Dimple has an answer for that.
"Even those with absolutely no painting experience can join and learn here, as the instructors patiently guide you through every step of the process."
You don't need years of experience.
You don't need formal art training.
You only need the willingness to begin.
Everything else can be learned.
Thank You, Dimple
Some students leave behind beautiful paintings.
Others leave behind beautiful memories.
Dimple gave us both.
Her commitment to travelling from Vellore every week, her eagerness to learn, her thoughtful questions, and the care she poured into every stage of her Gajalakshmi painting made her a joy to teach.
Watching her confidence grow over six and a half weeks reminded us that great art isn't created overnight—it is built patiently, one careful step at a time.
We are incredibly grateful that she chose to spend this part of her artistic journey with us.
And we hope that her story inspires someone else who has been waiting for the "right time" to begin.
Sometimes, all it takes is one decision.
One journey.
And one painting that changes how you see both art and yourself.
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