The Cosmic Dancer Natraj : A Cultural Icon in Mural Form

About the Workshop

Create a traditional-style Kerala Mural of ‘The Cosmic Dancer Natraj A Cultural Icon in Mural Form’ with master native artist Mr. Saju M.P. He will take you through the process of creating this beautiful painting using the right traditional motifs and techniques.

The Cosmic Dancer Natraj A Cultural Icon in Mural Form: Nataraja, (Sanskrit: “Lord of the Dance”) is a powerful symbol of the Hindu god Shiva in his form as the cosmic dancer, creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe and conveys the Bharatiya understanding of the dynamic cycle of time. Lord Shiva in his Nataraja form, depicts the cosmic dance of creation and destruction, represented in metal or stone in many Shaivite temples, particularly in South India.

Nataraja is not just a visual representation but holds deep philosophical meanings within Hinduism. The dance is seen as a continuous process of creation, preservation, and destruction, highlighting the cyclical nature of time and the universe. This symbolism is central to the understanding of Shiva's cosmic role in the Hindu trinity (Trimurti).

"Nataraja occupies a unique, special and interesting subject in various art forms. It also occupies a distinctive position in the Kerala mural style of art. In this painting, the artist has infused a lot of intricate work and layered many details, creating a captivating piece."

In this 2-week workshop, create your masterpiece while learning the techniques and history of this beautiful art form. You can attend live Zoom sessions where you interact with the master artist and other participants, learning not only the art form in depth but also more about the culture of the region. A structured classroom with step-wise instructions. Pictures and recorded videos will be available after the session on Google Classroom.

This is a great opportunity to learn the motifs, techniques, and history of this ancient art form. Sign up for the workshop today!

Theme: The Cosmic Dancer Natraj: A Cultural Icon in Mural Form
Dates: 28th Apr to 8th May. 2025
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM IST (Mon to Thurs.)
Duration: 8 sessions (12 Hours+)Approx
Price: INR 2400 (2 Weeks)

Materials Needed

20*22 Inches Thick Paper/Canvas
Pencils / Eraser / Sharpener/ Black Color Pen / Thin Marker
Acrylic Colors - Ochre Yellow, Permanent Blue Light, Prussian Blue, Cobalt Blue, Cadmium Red, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber, Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Orange, Sap Green, Cadmium Yellow, Olive Green, Indian Red, Scarlet Red, Vermilion Red Hue, black
Long Hair Brushes: 000, 2, 5, 4, 6, 8
Pallet
Bowl of Water
Old Cloth

(Basic Sketch Would Be Provided As Pre-Work For Tracing/Sketching)

Learning Objectives and Modules

Learn the intricate designs and techniques of Kerala Mural painting through expert guidance and live artist interaction. Explore traditional color schemes, brush techniques, and fine detailing that define these exquisite artworks. Additionally, understand the significance of the motif in Kerala Mural art. It is shown with deep meaning, beautiful art, and artistic storytelling, reflecting natural harmony and cultural heritage.

What we will learn :

-To learn the intricate work in Kerala Mural about washing and different types of shading.
-The history of the art and detailed story about motifs are covered in the workshop.
- All techniques were used in this painting.
- Step-by-step drawing.
- Step-by-step complete painting tutorial with detailed voiceovers in Malayalam to English and Hindi.
- A moderator will be there to help and answer questions.

Module Details:
Module 1: Washing of background & some ornaments
Module 2: Completion of the two coats of the base color and
Module 3: Ornaments work continue.
Module 4: outlining and Shading continue.
Module 5: Detailing and drawing of ornaments
Module 6: Washing, detailing, and Shading of Natraj.
Module 7: The remaining Shading effect on remaining part of the body of Nataraja
Module 8: Muricidal using black outlining & finishing of the painting.

About the Master Artist

Mr. Saju.M.P. comes from a lineage of Kerala Mural artists. His work can be seen in the temples (Guruvayoor) and churches of Kerala. He is also actively involved in restoration work of Kerala Murals to preserve this heritage art.

Image Source and Disclaimers

Disclaimer for the art workshop:

The artist will make the painting in the standard size, and it is recommended to use the same size. However, participants may choose other sizes as per their convenience and seek artist guidance in live sessions to manage the artwork in their chosen size of canvas.
Artist typically brush at their convenience as they have years of experience. Participants may choose the brush size as per their convenience and level of expertise and seek artist guidance in the live sessions.
Artists use the sample image as a reference image for teaching purposes only. They typically provide their interpretation and variations to make unique artwork. The sample image is not copied as it is, and Catterfly provides the due credit to the original artist (wherever available) in our marketing communications.

**The displayed image is a representational image from the net. Check our website to see the source and name of the original artist.**

*Source*