Gajendra Moksham in Kerala Mural

About Art

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 ‘Gajendra Moksham in Kerala Mural’ with master native artist Mr. Saju M.P

Paint this mesmerizing painting in a traditional art form. Mr. Saju M.P, will take you through the process of creating this beautiful painting using the right traditional motifs and techniques.

"Gajendra Moksham in Kerala Mural": This vibrant Kerala mural painting vividly captures the dramatic climax from the Bhagavata Purana, depicting an imposing, multi-armed Lord Vishnu descending rapidly on his majestic avian vehicle, Garuda, to rescue the elephant king, Gajendra. Rendered in the traditional Panchavarna color palette of rich ochre reds, yellows, greens, blues, and whites, the dynamic composition centers on Vishnu's divine blue form as he brandishes iconic weapons like the Sudarshana Chakra and a conch shell. Directly below in a stylized lotus pond, Gajendra desperately offers a delicate pink blossom upward while his leg is firmly clamped in the jaws of a fearsome crocodile, an intense struggle witnessed by a group of reverent sages on the left and a celestial gallery of Hindu deities observing from swirling clouds above. The painting represents the belief that true devotion always receives divine help. The sages and heavenly beings in the background are witnessing this sacred event with respect and wonder. The forest, lotus pond, animals, and trees create a rich natural setting around the spiritual story. Bright colours like red, blue, green, and gold are used beautifully in the traditional Kerala mural style. The detailed ornaments, expressive faces, and balanced composition add grandeur and devotion to the artwork. This mural painting symbolizes faith, surrender to God, divine mercy, and the victory of good over suffering.

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: Gajendra Moksham in Kerala Mural Art
Dates: 27th July to 28th Aug. 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.

*Source*