Sacred Hues of Kerala :Exploring the Legacy and Revival of Mural Art

Safna Premji

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Introduction

Kerala is also known as the “god’s own country,” evolved an art form called Mural Art. Where every painting shows a well defined story intertwined with the beauty, devotion, spirituality, and everyday life of Kerala. Both gods and demons, as well as people, are given life by the magnificent works of art that are painted on the walls of temples, palaces, and cathedrals. Each colour in these murals tells a story that has live through for centuries, that fascinates the viewers with their complex details with varied meanings.

1. Origins of Kerala Mural Art

[Image: An early mural from the Tirunandikara cave temple, showcasing the nascent stages of Kerala’s mural tradition.]
(image Source: onmanorma)

Between the 8th and 9th centuries CE, Kerala mural art initially appeared. Early murals reflected the scenes from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata on temple walls. In addition to being works of art, Mural painting flourished under temple support throughout the Medieval period (14th–16th centuries), particularly at locations like Mattancherry Palace and the Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple. A set of standard measures of the art work are clearly mentioned in the texts like the Vishnudharmottara Purana‘s Chitrasutra.This made sure that every work followed a standard and also kept the vibrancy of the murals alike.

Artists traditionally used a palette that is natural and back in those times synthetic colours are least available things and if they were those were imported and of high price. The base constituted of the five main colors (Panchavarna): yellow, red, green, black, and white.

Red: from red laterite
Yellow: derived from yellow laterite
Green: derived from plant extracts
White: from lime
Black: from soot in lamp

[Image: Mattancherry Palace murals, showcasing vibrant colors ]
(Image Source: Wikimedia.org)

Mural paintings are form of frescoes painting and the artist work on wet lime plaster and used natural fibers these are naturally sourced things and with these they produced masterpiece artwork with intricate designs. Each character have its own colour ,they symbolize different meanings. Traditionally, green color are used to represent moral figures , color that range from red to golden yellow are used to show characters who are linked to power .On the other hand, people who represent evil, or stupidity are usually shown in black or white.

(Image Source:bhavagheetham Art gallery)

3. Iconography, Motifs, and Symbolism

[Image: Gajendramoksham, the largest mural panel in Kerala, located at Krishnapuram Palace, Kayamkulam, Alappuzha district.]
(Image Source:Wikimedia commons )

1. Padma Lotus meaning: Divine and purity.Historical Origins: Found in Buddhist and Jain traditions as well as Vedic writingsIt is common in backdrops or beneath gods and goddesses in Kerala artwork. Setting in Murals: Usually shown as full bloom, this image symbolizes the fully completed of cosmic order.

2. Peacock (Mayura) Meaning: beauty, grace, and immortality. Mostly connected to Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom, and Kartikeya (Murugan), the deity of war. Peacocks also represent cyclical time .In Murals they are often shown next to deities.

3. Elephant (Gaja) mostly the elephants signify the power and strength and also sign of prosperity ,mainly associated with Indra’s elephant Airavata and Lord Ganesha ,In Murals elephants are seen with divine and royal figures or as in a processions.

4. Creepers and Tree Symbols signify life, fertility, and heavenly protection.Sacred trees like Ashoka, Kadamba, and Banyan are often set in murals in the backdrops of scenery.

5. Water and River : As the rivers movement can be compared to life’s flow like no matter what an individual must live on and also signifies innocence as pure as water and rebirth. Rivers such as the Ganga and Yamuna are deities according to religious text.The cosmic ocean (Ksheera Sagara), from which the earth formed, is likewise represented by water. In murals scenes of meditating sages or celestial births are oftenly shown with the image of flowing rivers or bodies of water.

6. Sky Forms and Clouds : it often signifies the passage between the heavenly and earthy realm.In Murals sky is often shown with scenes of falling deities.

4. Historical Background and Cross-Cultural Influences

Kerala’s mural tradition evolved with early influences of Hindu, Buddhist, and Dravidian. The mural traditions of Northern India adopted Islamic, Persian, and Central Asian elements, resulting in the creation of styles such as Rajput paintings and Mughal miniatures. Kerala’s murals remained predominantly religious and conservative, but those in North India increasingly depicted secular themes and courtly life.

[Image: Mughal miniature Art, highlighting stylistic distinctions.]
(Image Source: The Talented Indian)

Despite these differences, both traditions drew inspiration from a shared Indic legacy that was founded on Sanskritic writings like the Chitrasutra and Shilpa Shastra. However, Kerala’s mural tradition was able to preserve its unaltered devotional focus due to its relative isolation from Islamic rule, while in North India, secular and decorative trends gained prominence under the court’s patronage.

For example, Mughals prefered the use of materials like silk pigments and gold leaf in common. Today, painters from North India are drawn to Kerala’s mural styles. Exhibitions, workshops, and government efforts (such as the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi programs) have blended traditional methods with contemporary subjects.

[Image: Broadening horizons of Mural art.]
(Image Source: The new Indian express)

5. Current status

Kerala mural paintings are still very much alive and well in today’s cultural imagination. Establishments such as the Guruvayur Devaswom Institute of Mural Painting continue to instruct future generations, ensuring the tradition’s continued existence. Modern artists have expanded the scope of their subjects beyond religion and included philosophical, social, and ecological concerns. These days, murals blend heritage and contemporary design to decorate hotels, public structures, and urban landscapes.

[Image: Modern Kerala murals on public buildings showcasing fusion of tradition and contemporary themes.]
(Image Source: Me Meraki)

Commercialization is not absent its difficulties, though. The intense ritualistic and formalized discipline that historically defined Kerala mural painting is in danger of being diluted, despite the fact that it offers financial opportunities (Nambiar, 2014).
Furthermore, the authenticity and depth of the tradition are occasionally challenged by advances such as the use of canvas, synthetic paints, and digital copies.

[Image: Kerala mural painting on Kasavu saree]
(Image Source: India Mart)

Conclusion

Mural paintings are a perfect example of the diversity and effect of India’s ancient arts. These paintings, which are rooted in tradition yet have changed with the years, never cease to amaze with their exquisite hues and profound narrative.
Kerala mural paintings continue to be an ever-evolving of creativity, devotion, and historical continuity, whether they are found decorating the historic walls of temples and palaces or finding new uses in modern settings. In order to ensure that this rich legacy continues to inspire future generations, it will be crucial to carefully balance tradition and creative growth in order to preserve the integrity of Kerala mural painting in the face of new advances.