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  "panchavarna," 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.

Nataraja, (Sanskrit: “Lord of the Dance”) is a powerful symbol of the Hindu god Shiva in his form as the cosmic dancer, creator, preserver and destroyer of the universe and conveys the Bharatiya understanding of the dynamic cycle of time. Lord Shiva in his Nataraja form, depicts the cosmic dance of creation and destruction.

Nataraja is not just a visual representation but holds deep philosophical meanings within Hinduism. The dance is seen as a continuous process of creation, preservation, and destruction, highlighting the cyclical nature of time and the universe. This symbolism is central to the understanding of Shiva's cosmic role in the Hindu trinity (Trimurti).

Saju is a student of the famed Guruvayur temple Devaswom-run Institute of Mural Painting with extensive training in fine arts, art history and mural art. The temple, which is renowned for its exquisite murals, set up the Institute in 1989 to train youngsters and preserve the ancient art form. He is also actively involved in restoration work of Kerala Murals to preserve this heritage art.

Know more - About the Artist