The Epic of Dharma and Devotion

About Art

Name: The Epic of Dharma and Devotion
Start: 2026-10-04T18:30:00.000Z
Location: Kerala

About Art:-
Kerala mural paintings are a type of art done in temples for more than 2000 years by local artists and passed down through families. These paintings are famous for being beautiful, clear, and symmetrical. They were used to show stories from religion and mythology on the walls of temples and churches in South India starting from the 8th century. The artists who create these traditional murals are highly skilled and creative, making this art form a valuable part of Kerala's heritage.

In this art, artists use traditional colours like red, yellow ochre, green, blue, white, and black. This set of colours is called "panchvarna," meaning five-coloured. Colours are essential in Kerala mural painting, bringing energy and liveliness to the detailed artwork. The colour palette of these paintings is a mix of lively shades, mainly drawn from the beauty of nature. Initially, artists used traditional mineral pigments, but nowadays, modern acrylic and oil-based paints are also used. Please read this blog to know more about the techniques of Kerala Mural Paintings.

About the Workshop

Create a traditional style Kerala Mural painting of ‘Geetopdesh – The Eternal Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita’ with master native artist Mr. Saju M.P, will take you through the process of creating this beautiful painting using the right traditional motifs and techniques.

"The Epic of Dharma and Devotion": This Kerala mural painting presents a vibrant and detailed composition inspired by divine stories, devotion, and the eternal values of dharma. The artwork brings together multiple divine figures, celestial beings, and mythological characters in a harmonious arrangement. Rich shades of orange, yellow, green, white, and blue, along with intricate ornamental details, reflect the distinctive visual language of Kerala mural art. The central figures are beautifully adorned with elaborate crowns, jewellery, traditional costumes, and expressive faces. The presence of the chariot, elephant, peacock, and other symbolic elements adds movement and narrative depth to the composition. Fine black outlines and decorative patterns enhance the figures while giving the painting its characteristic mural-like richness and elegance.

Saju's artwork serves as a catalyst for deeper cultural understanding and appreciation, inviting viewers to reflect on the significance of Kerala's diverse heritage and the ongoing contributions of its tribal communities to the region's cultural landscape.

In this 5-week workshop, create your masterpiece, 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 Epic of Dharma and Devotion
Dates: 5th Oct to 6th Nov. 2026
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM IST (Mon to Fri.)
Duration: 25 sessions (30 Hours Approx)
Original Price: ₹6500

Materials Needed

Material Needed:
-H 22 W 26 Inches approx. or A1 size Thick Paper/Canvas
- Red Cd Marker(Camilin)

- Pencils / Eraser / Sharpener
- Black Color Pen / Thin Marker
- Acrylic Colors - Indian red, Scarlet Lake, Vermilion hue, Pression blue or Cobalt blue, Black, White, Yellow ochre, Permanent yellow medium, Sap green, Olive green, Burnt umber, Raw Umber, Burnt Sienna
- Long Hair Brushes: 000, 2, 5,4,6,8

-Flat brush-0,1,2,3
- Pallet
- Bowl of Water
- Old Cloth

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

Note: The artist will give an individual output in this painting, with variations in the colours and detailing of the costumes.

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 the 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 use the brushes 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 a unique artwork. Sample image is not copied as it is, and Catterfly provides the due credit to the original artist (wherever available) in our marketing communications.