This transition from sacred temple walls to everyday objects and modern canvases is a powerful testament to its timeless appeal. The shift from a purely religious function to a more commercial and artistic one highlights a common challenge for many traditional crafts. Today, while traditional mural painting still thrives, it faces challenges such as fading patronage and competition from modern printing techniques.

The Significance of Color and Symbolism: 
A defining characteristic of Kerala mural art is its use of a specific and symbolic color palette, known as the Panchavarna (five colors). These colors are traditionally derived from natural pigments:

Red: From red laterite soil.
Yellow: From yellow ochre or turmeric.
Green: From a mix of plants and minerals.
White: From lime or powdered conch shells.
Black: From lamp soot.

Each color carries deep symbolic meaning, often linked to the three gunas (qualities of being) in Hindu philosophy—Sattva (purity), Rajas (activity), and Tamas (inertia).

Green is used for virtuous, divine, and righteous characters, representing purity and balance (Sattva).
Red and yellow are used for powerful, ambitious, and heroic figures (Rajas).
White is often used for characters with lesser significance, while black is reserved for demons and other malevolent beings.

The cost and labor involved in making these natural colors, combined with the difficulty of sourcing the raw materials, led to a major change. Today, many mural artists, especially those working on canvases and for commercial purposes, use acrylic paints.

The process of creating these pigments was a craft in itself—it was laborious, required deep knowledge of natural materials, and was often passed down through generations. The colors were then mixed with a binding medium, often from a natural source like tender coconut water or extracts from a neem tree. This method created a unique, matte finish and a specific, subdued color palette.

The challenge now is for artists to replicate the traditional, earthy tones of natural pigments using synthetic colors. This requires a different kind of skill—mixing and matching acrylics to achieve the characteristic muted palette of Kerala's murals.

This deliberate and symbolic use of color, combined with the detailed outlines and graceful, often dynamic, figures, makes Kerala's mural art instantly recognizable and deeply expressive.

The practice of Kerala mural art is a meticulous and deeply traditional process, guided by ancient texts and passed down through generations. It is an art form where every step, from preparing the wall to applying the final finishing touch, is considered a meditative and spiritual act. 

1. The Gurukula System: The tradition was sustained through the Gurukula system, a master-apprentice model of learning. Students would live with their guru, or master, and learn the craft not just through instruction but through constant observation and practice. This system ensured that the knowledge of specific techniques, the symbolism of colors, and the spiritual essence of the art were preserved and passed down.

2. The Six-Stage Process: The creation of a traditional Kerala mural is a multi-stage process, rooted in ancient Indian art treatises like the Chitrasutra and Silparatna. The six main stages are:

 Lekhya Karma (Preliminary Drawing): The artist begins by making a rough, light sketch on the prepared wall surface. This is the blueprint for the entire composition, allowing the         artist to plan the layout, figures, and narrative flow.
Rekha Karma (Outlining): This is where the initial drawing is refined. The artist traces the rough sketch with a more decisive line, typically using a red pigment. This stage establishes the strong, flowing contours that are a hallmark of Kerala murals.
Varna Karma (Color Filling): This is the stage where the Panchavarna (five colors) come into play. The artist applies flat colors within the outlined areas. This is a foundational step, and the colors are applied in a specific sequence, with the lighter shades generally going on first.
Vartana Karma (Shading): This is where the figures gain dimension and life. The artist uses a technique of stippling or subtle gradation to create a sense of volume and depth. For example, yellow areas might be shaded with red, and green areas with black, to give the figures a rounded, three-dimensional look.
Lekha Karma (Final Outlines): Once the colors and shading are complete, the artist returns to the lines. A fine brush and black pigment are used to create the final, sharp outlines that define every detail, from facial features to clothing patterns.
Dvika Karma (Final Touches and Preservation): The final stage involves adding finishing touches and applying a protective coating. In a ritualistic sense, this is the most important step, known as Nethronmeelanam (the opening of the eyes), where the artist fills in the eyes of the figures, believed to "bring them to life." Traditionally, the mural would be given a protective layer of pine resin and oil to preserve its vibrancy and give it a characteristic soft sheen.

Materials and brushes:

Today, while many artists have adapted by using synthetic acrylics and commercial brushes, the traditional practice continues to be taught and revered. The Guruvayur Devaswom Institute, for example, is dedicated to preserving these centuries-old techniques, ensuring that the ancient knowledge of Kerala mural art is not lost to time.

Kerala mural painting combines deep spiritual reverence with precise craftsmanship and a distinctive local style. While staying true to its traditional roots, the art has gracefully evolved with time, remaining a dynamic form that continues to narrate ancient tales in a way that feels eternally fresh and relevant.

Linear Grace: The outlines are smooth, flowing, and elegant, giving the figures a sense of dynamic movement.

Expressive Features: Faces are typically depicted in profile or three-quarter view. The eyes are a particularly notable feature, often large, wide, and expressive, conveying emotion and spiritual depth.

Regional Influence: The poses and gestures of the figures are heavily influenced by Kerala's own classical dance forms, especially Kathakali and Koodiyattom. The artists meticulously capture the mudras (hand gestures) and theatrical postures of these dance traditions, making the murals feel like frozen moments from a performance.

Feminine Aesthetic: Even male deities are often depicted with a softer, more graceful, and almost feminine quality, which is a key differentiator from the robust, masculine forms found in other Indian art styles.

Kerala mural art, though rooted in anonymous temple traditions, has been enriched by both historic and modern masters who have preserved and revived this ancient form:
1. Legendary and Traditional Masters (Anonymous) - Many of the earliest murals, such as those at Mattancherry Palace, Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple, and Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, were created by unnamed temple artists.
These artisans followed strict canonical rules, ensuring spiritual sanctity and uniformity in style, focusing more on devotion than personal recognition.
2. Mammiyoor Krishnan Kutty Nair (1913–1990)- Considered a pioneer of Kerala mural revival in the 20th century.
Trained new generations of artists, reintroducing natural pigment preparation and traditional techniques. Instrumental in restoring many damaged temple murals across Kerala.
3. K. K. Varma and K. K. Sivan - Known for preserving the authentic five-color system (panchavarna) and creating works that strictly adhere to classical iconography.
Their contributions in documenting mural methods have provided valuable guidance for students and researchers.
4. Contemporary Revivalists (e.g., Saju Thuruthil, P. Dinesh, and others)- These artists have brought Kerala murals into modern contexts—on canvas, wood panels, and even apparel—without compromising traditional techniques.

Their legacy lives on through the next generation of artists. If you wish to learn Mural painting online and explore authentic artworks, check out our Catterfly Kerala mural master Artist

Kerala mural art is experiencing a revival, moving from traditional spaces to a contemporary art form.

If you’re inspired to explore this timeless art form, Catterfly offers multiple ways to learn Kerala Mural painting:

Whether you’re a beginner or an art enthusiast, you can choose the format that suits you best and start creating your own Kerala mural masterpiece.
Discover our Kerala mural live workshops, masterclasses and Courses.