Ōviya is an Indian art school offering courses in the Thanjāvūr style of art ( Tanjore Painting ) in Fremont, California. Ōviya is devoted to the mission of primarily popularizing tanjore paintings, and, thereby, engendering a cultural renaissance through the rejuvenation of this art which is a part of India’s rich cultural heritage and knowledge.

About Thanjāvūr painting [Courtesy Wikipedia]:
Thanjāvūr painting (Tamil: தஞ்சாவூர் ஓவியம், Thanjāvūr Ōviyam) is an important form of classical South Indian painting native to the town of Thanjāvūr (anglicized as Tanjore) in Tamil Nadu, India. The art form dates back to about 1600 AD, a period when the Nāyakās of Thanjāvūr encouraged art. Thanjāvūr paintings are known for their surface richness, vivid colors and compact composition. This three-dimensional art form is the finest of all paintings garnished with pure 22k gold foil and precious stones called Jaipur stones.

The founder of Ōviya, Meenākshi Rangāchāry Satyavōlu is a seasoned artiste with over 16 years of experience in creating Thanjavur paintings. She has been trained by artists from the famed Kalākshétra Academy of Indian Art in Chennai, India. Her passion and dedication to Indian art forms is evident in her designs, which have won praise within India and abroad. As an Architect, she was involved in restoration projects to preserve the beauty of ancient Indian architecture for future generations.

She attended Stanford University for her post-graduate degree in Construction Management and as a professional, she is passionate about the utilization of technology in assisting green-building practices. Meenākshi resides in the Bay Area with her husband and daughter.

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