Thanjavur : The district administration has embarked on the task of doing up the walls of government institutions and some private institutions in Thanjavur city with thematic paintings to enhance the aesthetic value of the city. The paintings cover various classical art forms, episodes from Sangam literature and historical landscapes, such as Mahabalipuram.

“The walls will be covered with beautiful oil paintings to prevent the pasting of posters and political messages.

The paintings are done by sponsors with permission from the Corporation,” an official of the City Corporation said.

“These paintings will enhance the aesthetic value of the city and attract tourists to the ancient Chola capital,” said S Muthukumar, Executive Member of Thanjavur Tourism Promotion Council.

The walls of the Raja Mirasdar Government Hospital, located both on Gandhiji Road and Anna Salai Road, recently received such a revamp; as did the walls of the Kundhavai Nachiar Arts College for Women here. Already, the walls of the palace complex on East Main Street and the walls of the Rajah’s Higher Secondary School have exquisite paintings by the students of Government Fine Arts college in Kumbakonam.

As part of developing the area around Thanjavur Big temple as a holistic one, the heavy vehicular traffic in front of the Big Temple is being diverted and another bridge across the Grand Anicut canal is coming up near the Big temple. There is also a proposal to shift the traffic that flows just outside the Big Temple farther away once the bridge is completed and convert the road running near the temple into a parking lot.