Murals return: writing on the wall is clear
Tradition is alive for Kerala mural artists even as market clamours for flashy artwork
Goddess Mahalakshmi in Traditional Kerala Mural
Goddess Mahalakshmi in Traditional 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.
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 ‘Mahalakshmi in Traditional Kerala Mural ’ with master native artist Mr. Saju M.P. He will take you through the process of creating this beautiful painting using the right traditional motifs and techniques.
"Mahalakshmi in Traditional Kerala Mural ": This Kerala mural painting beautifully depicts Goddess Mahalakshmi, a divine form of Goddess Mahalakshmi associated with wealth, prosperity, and abundance. She is seated gracefully on a magnificent lotus, symbolizing purity, spiritual growth, and divine beauty. The lotus flowers held in her hands symbolize purity and prosperity, while the flowing water and surrounding floral motifs create a sacred atmosphere. Her elaborate crown, traditional jewellery, and graceful posture highlight her divine elegance and magnificence. The vibrant shades of red, green, orange, and blue, along with intricate decorative patterns, showcase the richness of traditional Kerala mural art. This artwork represents good fortune, abundance, fertility, and the blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi for peace and prosperity.
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 2-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: Gajalakshmi in Traditional Kerala Mural
Dates: 9th to 20th Nov. 2026
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM IST (Mon to Fri.)
Duration: 10 sessions (12.5 Hours Approx)
Original Price: ₹2800
Materials Needed
Material Needed:
-H 18 W 15 Inches approx Thick Paper/Canvas or A3 canvas
- Red Cd Marker(Camilin)
-H 18 W 15 Inches approx Thick Paper/Canvas or A3 canvas
- Red Cd Marker(Camilin)
- Pencils / Eraser / Sharpener
-Yellow carbon
- 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
-Yellow carbon
- 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
- 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.
Duration
12.5 Hrs
Price
