About Art:-
Origins and History: Kerala mural paintings indeed have a rich cultural and artistic heritage. These paintings are a form of traditional art that originated in the southern Indian state of Kerala. They typically depict themes from Hindu mythology and legends and are characterized by vibrant colours, intricate detailing, and a unique artistic style. These paintings are believed to have been influenced by traditional Indian art forms, with a distinctive regional flavour. These 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.

The paintings often depict scenes from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as well as stories from Puranas and other mythological texts.
Gods, goddesses, and celestial beings are common subjects. The portrayal of deities like Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, and Goddess Saraswati is prevalent in these murals.

Techniques and Style: Kerala mural paintings are characterized by their use of bright and bold colours. The pigments are traditionally derived from natural sources, creating a unique and vibrant colour palette. The detailing in these paintings is intricate, with careful attention given to facial expressions, postures, and ornamentation.

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.

A traditional mural is an artwork painted or applied directly onto walls, ceilings or any other permanent surface. In murals, architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into its creation. Among murals, the ones from Kerala stand out for their finesse.

Traditionally, artists used colours made from rocks, plants, and minerals to paint Kerala mural art. Nowadays, some artists use synthetic acrylic colours. They do this because these modern colours are easier to find, dry quickly, and last a long time. It's a practical choice and helps them adjust to new ways of making art.  Artists might use a mix of old and new materials to keep the essence of the traditional style. The change doesn't make the art less special; it just shows how artists can use different things while still holding onto the roots of Kerala mural painting.

Ardhanarishvara is a composite androgynous form of the Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati (or Shakti). The word "Ardhanarishvara" is a combination of three Sanskrit words: "Ardha" meaning half, "nari" meaning woman, and "Ishvara" meaning lord or god. Therefore, Ardhanarishvara can be translated as "The Lord who is half woman. It symbolizes the idea that Shiva and Shakti (Parvati) are not separate entities but are two halves of a whole, representing the complementary nature of cosmic duality.

Ardhanarishvara is a popular theme in Indian art, including the traditional mural paintings of Kerala. These murals often depict themes from Hindu mythology and are characterized by vibrant colours, intricate details, and specific iconographic features. "The art form is characterized by vibrant colours, intricate details, and a flat, stylized representation.

The artist has skillfully employed the traditional technique of Kerala mural art, incorporating various layers of colours to enhance the detailing and shading in the artwork.

Saju is a student of the famed Guruvayur temple Devaswom-run Institute of Mural Painting with extensive training in fine arts, art history and mural art. The temple, which is renowned for its exquisite murals, set up the Institute in 1989 to train youngsters and preserve the ancient art form. He is also actively involved in restoration work of Kerala Murals to preserve this heritage art.

Know more - About the Artist