Lakshmi Narasimha Tanjore Painting Class: An Advanced Subject to Grow Into
Written by
Vibha Raj
Lakshmi Narasimha unites Narasimha's protective power with Lakshmi's grace. Here is his significance, Narasimha Jayanti, and how to learn this advanced painting with us from April 2027.
Key takeaways
- Lakshmi Narasimha is Lord Narasimha, the fierce man-lion avatar of Vishnu, shown in his calm form with Goddess Lakshmi beside him, a picture of protection and grace together.
- Narasimha Jayanti, his appearance day, usually falls in April or May.
- We teach Lakshmi Narasimha as an advanced live online course of 10 weeks, starting 13 April 2027, in 15 x 20 or 18 x 24 inches.
- It is one of the most detailed paintings we teach, so it suits students who have painted before, or confident beginners who talk to us first.
- In 40 years we have taught 5,000+ students, and more than 95% finish their painting.
There is a point in many students' journeys when one painting is no longer enough. You have finished a Ganesha or a Lakshmi, the gold still catches your eye every morning, and you find yourself wondering what it would be like to paint something grander. For many, that something is Lakshmi Narasimha. It's a subject that asks more of you, and gives back more. This guide covers who he is, when he is worshipped, and how you can learn to paint him with us.
Who is Lakshmi Narasimha?
Lord Narasimha is the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu, half man and half lion. He appeared to protect his young devotee Prahlada from the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who had a boon that he could be killed by neither man nor beast, neither by day nor by night, neither indoors nor outdoors. Narasimha, neither man nor beast, came at dusk, on a threshold, and ended his tyranny.
After that fierce moment, it is said that his anger was so great that only Goddess Lakshmi's presence could calm him. Lakshmi Narasimha shows him in that peaceful form, seated with Lakshmi beside him or on his lap, her grace softening his power. Devotees turn to Lakshmi Narasimha for protection from fear and harm, and for courage, together with the blessings of prosperity and peace that Lakshmi brings.
In the Tanjore style, Lakshmi Narasimha is fierce yet graceful. The lion face, the mane, the many arms and the ornate crown are built up in raised gesso and covered in 24 karat gold, while Lakshmi sits serene and jewelled beside him. With two figures, more ornament and a richer arch, it's one of the most striking paintings a home can hold.
When Lakshmi Narasimha is worshipped
Lord Narasimha is honoured throughout the year, and especially on Narasimha Jayanti, the day of his appearance, which usually falls in April or May. Many devotees fast until dusk that day, the hour at which Narasimha appeared. In South India, families have long kept Lakshmi Narasimha close, and temples to him are found across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Because Narasimha Jayanti follows the lunar calendar, its date shifts a little each year. Our April 2027 batch begins in that season. Since this is a 10-week course, you'll be painting him through the weeks around his festival.
Why paint Lakshmi Narasimha yourself
Lakshmi Narasimha is a painting to grow into. With two figures, the lion face, many arms and a wealth of ornament, it asks for patience and a steadier hand than a single deity does. That is exactly why students love it. Finishing it is a real milestone, and the painting that results is one you'll want to pass down.
Many of our students describe the weeks at the board as calm and meditative. With a subject this rich, that quiet focus lasts ten weeks, and the gold you lay piece by piece becomes your own offering.
The Lakshmi Narasimha course at a glance
| Format | Advanced, live online over Zoom |
| Starts | 13 April 2027 |
| Schedule | Tuesday and Friday, 5:45 to 7:30 PM |
| Duration | 10 weeks, 2 sessions a week |
| Painting size | 15 x 20 or 18 x 24 inches |
| Teachers | Vibha Raj, supported by Spurthy GB and Yashaswini Jaishankar |
| Level | Advanced |
The course page has the current fee and full details for the batch.
Is Lakshmi Narasimha right for a beginner?
It's an advanced course, and we want to be honest about that. It runs 10 weeks rather than the 6.5 weeks of our standard courses, the canvas is larger, and there are two faces to paint, one of them a lion's. Having painted at least one Tanjore piece before helps a great deal, especially with the relief and the faces.
If you're a beginner who has set your heart on Lakshmi Narasimha, message us before you enrol. We'll talk it through honestly with you. Some students start with a single deity such as Lord Ganesha or Goddess Lakshmi and come to Narasimha next, and they're very glad they did.
What you learn and create
You will create a large Tanjore painting of Lakshmi Narasimha, 15 x 20 or 18 x 24 inches, from a blank canvas to a finished, framed-ready piece. The process is the traditional one: preparing the canvas and transferring the sketch, building the gesso relief, setting kundan stones, laying 24 karat gold foil, painting the figures, garments and background, and finally the faces. What changes is the depth. There is more relief to build, more gold to lay, and more fine detail in the ornaments and arch.
The most demanding part is the faces. Narasimha's lion face must hold power without losing grace, and Lakshmi's must be soft and serene beside it. We take both slowly, step by step, with Vibha Raj guiding the detailing herself. The ten weeks give you room to work carefully, without rushing the parts that matter most.
Watch Lakshmi Narasimha in our studio
The materials you will use
We provide your material kit, with everything you need to paint Lakshmi Narasimha: a pre-sketched canvas, 24 karat gold sheets, Arabic gum, chalk powder for the embossing, kundan stones, Swarovski crystals and brushes. You will find the details for this batch on its course page. Within India the kit usually reaches you in about 5 to 7 days, and internationally in about 3 to 4 weeks, so it's worth enrolling early.
Learning with us
In the live online course, Vibha Raj teaches you over Zoom, twice a week, with Spurthy GB and Yashaswini Jaishankar supporting as assistant teachers. Vibha learned the art from her mother, master artist Vani Bhaskar. Spurthy trained at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, and Yashaswini began with us as a student before she became a teacher. Every class is recorded and shared with you, with access for a month after the course ends, which is especially helpful on a painting this detailed.
In 40 years our studio has taught more than 5,000 students, and more than 95% of them finish their painting. Advanced pieces like this one are where many of them discover how far patience can take them.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lakshmi Narasimha course suitable for beginners?
It's an advanced course. Painting at least one Tanjore piece first helps, particularly with relief work and faces. If you're a beginner and keen on this subject, message us and we'll help you decide.
When does the Lakshmi Narasimha course start?
The next live online batch begins on 13 April 2027, with sessions on Tuesday and Friday from 5:45 to 7:30 PM, for 10 weeks.
What size is the finished painting?
You can choose 15 x 20 or 18 x 24 inches. The course page lists the options for the batch.
Why is this course longer than others?
Lakshmi Narasimha has two figures, more relief, more gold and more detailing than a single deity, so it runs 10 weeks instead of 6.5. The extra time lets you work carefully, especially on the faces.
Do I need to arrange materials myself?
No. We provide your material kit, with everything you need. The details for this batch are on its course page.
Can I join from outside India?
Yes. Tell us your city so we can confirm the timings in your time zone. Every class is recorded, so you can catch up if a session falls at a difficult hour.
When you feel ready, we would love to help you paint Lakshmi Narasimha in gold and colour. Explore the other deities we teach, see how our class formats work, or look at our other advanced subject, Shiva Parivar.
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