thanjavur: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareFormal/Geographical/Cultural
Quick answer
What does “thanjavur” mean?
A city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, historically the capital of the Chola Empire.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, historically the capital of the Chola Empire.
Refers to the cultural, artistic, and architectural heritage associated with the city, particularly the Brihadeeswarar Temple, its classical music and dance traditions (the Thanjavur style of Bharatanatyam), and its distinctive style of painting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent. British English might show marginally higher familiarity due to historical colonial ties.
Connotations
Historical significance, classical Indian art and architecture.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing mainly in geographical, historical, or artistic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “thanjavur” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun, standalone][Adjective + Thanjavur][Preposition + Thanjavur]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thanjavur” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She is a renowned expert in Thanjavur iconography.
- The auction featured a magnificent Thanjavur plate.
American English
- He collects rare Thanjavur artwork.
- The museum has a gallery dedicated to Thanjavur bronzes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in tourism, cultural export, or handicraft industries.
Academic
Common in South Asian studies, art history, architecture, and religious studies.
Everyday
Very rare outside communities with Indian cultural ties or specific travel contexts.
Technical
Used in specific fields like art conservation (Thanjavur paintings), musicology (Thanjavur veena), or historiography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thanjavur”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thanjavur”
- Misspelling as 'Tanjaur', 'Thanjavour', or 'Thanjavoor'.
- Using it as a common noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'Tanjore' is an older, anglicised name for the city of Thanjavur. 'Thanjavur' is the more accurate contemporary transliteration.
It is most famous for the UNESCO World Heritage Site Brihadeeswarar Temple (built by Rajaraja Chola I) and its distinct school of classical painting and music.
Yes, in contexts describing cultural products originating from there, e.g., 'Thanjavur painting', 'Thanjavur veena'. It functions as a proper adjective.
In British English, it is approximately /ˌtʌndʒəˈvʊə/ (tun-juh-VOOR). In American English, it is approximately /ˌtɑːndʒəˈvʊr/ (tahn-juh-VOOR).
A city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, historically the capital of the Chola Empire.
Thanjavur is usually formal/geographical/cultural in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'THANks, I saw YOUR beautiful temple in that Indian city.' -> Thanjavur.
Conceptual Metaphor
THANJAVUR IS A REPOSITORY OF CULTURE (e.g., 'Thanjavur is a treasure trove of classical arts').
Practice
Quiz
Thanjavur is most closely associated with which of the following?