Panch-Thalam Lord Ganesha – Kerala Mural

About the Workshop

Create a traditional style Kerala Mural painting of ‘Panch-Thalam Lord Ganesha’ with master native artist Mr. Saju M.P

🎨 Creating a Traditional Kerala Mural Painting: A Step-by-Step Guide:

Mr. Saju M.P. will guide you through the process of creating this mesmerizing painting in the traditional Kerala mural art form, using the Panch- Thalam (proportional measurement system) and conventional motifs, detailing the techniques from start to finish on canvas.

This workshop provides a complete, step-by-step immersion into the authentic methods of this ancient art.

"Panch-Thalam" in Kerala mural art refers to an ancient unit of measurement used for creating figures, particularly human and divine forms, with the correct proportions as prescribed by traditional Indian iconographic texts (Shilpa Shastras).
It is part of a system known as Thalapramanam (measurement based on Thalam).

Panch-Thalam Lord Ganesha: This magnificent Panch-Thalam Lord Ganesha is created following the traditional Panch-Thalam system of Kerala Mural art, where the deity's proportions are based on five face-length measurements (thalams). The balanced composition, intricate ornaments, and graceful posture reflect the classical canons of temple art. Depicted with multiple arms holding sacred attributes, Lord Ganesha symbolizes wisdom, protection, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles. Painted in the traditional Kerala mural palette of warm yellow, red, green, black, and white, this artwork beautifully preserves the timeless elegance and spiritual essence of India's mural heritage.

create your masterpiece learning the techniques and history of this beautiful art form.

In this 2-week workshop, you will create your masterpiece while learning the techniques and history of this beautiful art form. The curriculum is structured as follows:

Week 1: Dedicated instruction on the Thalam (traditional proportional measurement system).
Weeks 2: Learning the usual techniques, including sketching and the complete painting process.

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 this ancient art form's motifs, techniques, and history. Sign up for the workshop today!

Theme: Panch-Thalam Lord Ganesha – Kerala Mural Painting
Dates: 31st Aug to11th Sep. 2026
Time: 2:00 PM to 3.15 PM IST (Mon to Fri.)
Duration: 10 sessions (12.5 Hours Approx)
Original Price: ₹ 3200

About the Panch-Thalam of mural art

Panch-Thalam (also Pancha Talam) is a traditional system of body proportion used in Kerala mural art and other classical Indian art forms based on the principles of the Shilpa Shastras. The word Pancha means five, and Thalam means a unit of measurement, traditionally based on the length of the face (from the hairline to the chin).

In a Panch-Thalam figure:

The total height of the deity is five face-lengths (5 thalams).
The face serves as the basic unit for measuring the entire body.
This proportion is commonly used for depicting child forms (Bala), Lord Ganesha, and other compact, graceful divine figures.
The shorter proportions create a balanced, powerful, and auspicious appearance, making the deity look majestic despite the compact form.

Kerala mural art also follows other proportional systems depending on the deity and composition, including:

Panch-Thalam (5 thalams): Child-like and compact forms, often used for Lord Ganesha.
Nava-Thalam (9 thalams): Graceful, full-length standing deities such as Vishnu, Shiva, and Lakshmi.
Dasa-Thalam (10 thalams): Tall, heroic, and majestic divine forms.

These proportional systems ensure harmony, symmetry, and adherence to the sacred canons of traditional Indian temple art, making every mural both aesthetically beautiful and spiritually significant.

Materials Needed

Material Needed:
-25*19 Inches Thick Paper/Canvas
- 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
- Pallet
- Bowl of Water
- Old Cloth

- Red Cd Marker(Camilin)

- Yellow Carbon

Modules of the Workshop

Module 1 : How to prepare the Thalam (proportional measurement system)
Module 2 : Continuing make the Thalam
Module 3 : Completing the Thalam
Module 4 : How to do outlining
Module 5 : Washing of crown and ornaments
Module 6 : Starting of the outlining with red
Module 7 : Completing of the detailing with red and washing on the Ganesha body part

Module 8 : Outlining and shading continue

Module 9: Washing, Outlining and shading continue

Module 10: Completing the detailing and starting "Muzhukkidal" or "Muricidal using black outlining

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 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*