EMBLEM OF TAMILNADU

EMBLEM OF TAMILNADU

The State emblem of Tamilnadu has an adaptation from the he remarkable landmark of Srivilliputhur’s 11-tiered tower structure of 192 feet high - ‘gopuram’ dedicated to the Lord of Srivilliputhur, known as Vatapatrasayee. It is said to have been built by Periyaazhvar, believed to be the father-in-law of the Temple Deity, with a purse of gold that he won in debates held in the palace of Pandya King Vallabhadeva. The artist behind this monogram was Prof. R. Krishna Rao. Born in 1915, he completed his schooling in Madurai and in 1942, joined the Government School of Arts and Crafts in Madras where he was allowed to complete the five-year course in three years as he was outstanding in his work. In 1968, he was appointed the Principal of the Government School of Arts and Crafts in Madras. In 1972, Krishna Rao joined Kalakshetra, Madras, as Director, Department of Art. It was he who conceived and designed the temple tower emblem of Madras State in 1949. He had once mentioned, "Hailing from Madurai, it is only proper that I should incorporate the Madurai temple in the State Government emblem".