Kerala Murals

A kerala mural is a painting mainly seen on the walls, ceiling, of temples and palaces .It shows the events of pre-historic times and many themes from indian mythology. Kerala temples have a long history of fosteting culture... The cultural life of the people was centered around the local temple. People went there to listen to music, see plays, and attain peace sitting under a banyan tree with its leaves rustling in the breeze and murmuring the mantra of shanti.

Medieval artists in different parts of India were engaged in painting and the medium, at that time, was the walls of temples, palaces, and monuments. The subject of the wall painting used to be scenes from epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

In kerala, only a few of the wall painting in temples survive as a reminder of the existence of this exquisite art form. Prominent places were ancient murals exist are the Padsmana swamy Shine in Thiruvananthapuram and the temples of Ettumanoor, Panaynarkavu and Guruvayur. Mural also adorn old palaces such as those at Padmanabhapuram, Krishnapuram and Mattancherry.

Kerala has a distinct temple culture. The rituals inside kerala temples are unique. The architecture and sculptue outside the temples is also distinct. The ceremonies too differ from those of temples in other parts of the country as they are performed with the accompaniment of special percussion instruments like the chenda. The art works in temples like Kathakali and ottamthul have no parallel as they have a truly distinct identity.

Sharp lines from the Skeletal support for the body of kerala murals and this unique features makes it distinguished and rich. Subjects for the murals are varied with gods, goddesses, saints, kings, birds,animals,plants,trees,creepers and flowers all in their natural splendour most commonly seen.

Murals are created on a meticulosuly prepared white surface. The colours are made from natural substances of mineral or vegetable orgin. For example red, brown and yellow pigments are made from soft stone powdered and refined while green colour comes from the leaves of herbs. Blue is derived from the indio plants. Black is made from the carbon deposited while burnin a wick dipped in vegetable oil. Even the brush is handmade from shoots of arrow grass deftly.tied to a bomboo stick In short nothing is brought from shop.

Kerala murals have a long history to their credit. The history dates back to the 16th century as discovered in the Edakkal Caves. Later in the mid seventeenth century, the revival of the Bhakti movement, gave a boost to mural art.

Major Attractions of Kerala Murals

Chitramathil - Longest out door Cement Mural in the world

- An Ambitious Project-

Mural Arts

Longest out door mural in the world, is neglected for many unknown reasons. Chitramathil or the Wall of Cement Murals is on the walls of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, and a small hamlet in Ernakulam District of Kerala, India and also the birthplace of Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya. It was a masterpiece creation of artist K.K.Suresh. It is 1200x 5 ft. long, unique compound wall around university campus depicting various themes from Hindu Mythology and Puranas. It received an entry in the Limca Book of Records (ref. Pg.93) for being the longest Mural Wall.

Chitramathil at a glance:

CEMENT MURALS:

CHITRAMATHIL [Entry in the Limca Book of Records (ref. Pg.93)]

CHITRAMATHIL [1200x5FT]: The longest cement mural wall in the world is around the campus walls of Sree Sankaracharya university of Sanskrit, Kalady, Kerala [1200 X5 ft] depicts various themes from Indian puranas and Mythology, selected Scenes from life history of Adi Sankara- 108 Karnas from Bhartmuni’s Natyasashtra, Scenes from Kalidas Sakunthalam, Megha Sandesa, where each block tells of hedonistic mysteries, feudal system then exists and temples for a holy power that works with out being interpreted because also interpretation in the flux.

Massive Shivalingam at Kalady on the occasion of 1217th birth anniversary of Jagadguru Adi Sankara.

An 118 ft. high cloth sculpture designed by the artist was constructed at Adi Sankara Janmabhumi Kshetra, Kalady on the occasion of 1217th birth anniversary of Jagadguru Adi Sankara.
Mastero of Kerala Mural Paintings