Dear sri the book of tanjore paintings and early chola paintings is written by shri Nachiappa swamigal who is the head of the koviloor mutt a subsidary of the sringeri mutt. in his purvashram was a photographer and lithographer - a close associate of rukmini devi arundale. he made it really big and was owning an apartment in manhattan in the seventies and the bulk of shares in several indian companies including montsanto. he took up sanyas and is the spritual head of all chettiars( nattukottai nagaraththaars) he has set up a nagaswarm teaching school as well as one that patronises carpentry for temple charriots. koviloor on karaikudi- pillaiyarpatti road is a sight to see for typical chettiar architecture. right now shri nachiappa swamigal is building a natarajar temple in the usa. his publication firm kalashetra press has brought out an excellent thirumanthiram book too.