Kathakali in Colour: A Kerala Mural Tribute

About the Workshop

Create a traditional style Kerala Mural painting of ‘Kathakali in Colour: A Kerala Mural Tribute ’ 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.

"Kathakali in Colour: A Kerala Mural Tribute": This vibrant Kerala mural painting features a Kathakali performer, capturing the essence of the state's most famous classical dance-drama in a traditional visual format. The central figure is depicted with the characteristic green facial makeup known as Paccha vesham, which signifies noble, virtuous, and heroic characters from ancient epics. Above the expressive face sits an elaborate, towering headgear or Kireetam, rendered with the golden complexity and ornate detailing typical of a royal protagonist. Framing the dancer is a majestic peacock with its plumage fanned out, serving as a powerful symbol of beauty, grace, and divine protection within the composition. The artwork strictly adheres to the Panchavarna color scheme, using natural hues like red and yellow ochre to create a warm, spiritually radiant background. Bold, sweeping black outlines and delicate shading give the figure a rhythmic, lifelike quality while maintaining the stylized aesthetic of traditional temple frescoes. The character's large, almond-shaped eyes are a nod to the intense facial expressions and mudras that define a live Kathakali performance. Decorative elements, such as the heavy golden jewelry and the stylized flared garment, showcase the meticulous craftsmanship required in this ancient art form. Historically, these murals served as sacred narratives on the walls of Kerala’s temples, bringing mythology to life through sophisticated and permanent imagery. Today, this piece stands as a masterful bridge between the performative and plastic arts, celebrating the rich and enduring cultural identity of South India.

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 3-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: Kathakali in Colour: A Kerala Mural Tribute
Dates: 9th to 28th March. 2025
Time: 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM IST (Mon to Fri.)
Duration: 20 sessions (25 hours approx.)
Original Price: ₹4800

Materials Needed

Material Needed:
-22*23 Inches approx. or A2 size Thick Paper/Canvas
- Pencils / Eraser / Sharpener
- Black Color Pen / Thin Marker
- Acrylic Colors - Indian red, Scarlet Lake, Vermilion hue, Pression blue, Black, White, Yellow ochre, Permanent yellow medium, Sap green, Olive green, Burnt umber, Burnt Sienna
- Long Hair Brushes: 000, 2, 5,4,6,8
- Pallet
- Bowl of Water
- Old Cloth

(Basic Sketch Would Be Provided As Pre-Work For Tracing/Sketching)

Note: The Artist will teach this painting with a border.

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*