Kerala Mural:

Mural derived from the latin word, “Muru” -meaning wall. Murals are the paintings drawn on walls. The earliest mural paintings of India are seen in Bhimbetka of Madhya Pradesh and Ajanta and Ellora caves of Maharashtra. Historians opine though the Kerala Murals are evolved from Ajanta Ellora style. There are striking similarities in Kerala Murals and other murals found in Lepakshi, Vijayanagara etc.

I have already shared about Kerala Mural , in one of the posts: Kerala Mural-Paintings from God’s Owns country.

How Kerala Mural transformed in modern age:

Use of Acrylic colors:

Kearala Mural is  known for its vibrant color combination. The pigments used in traditional Kerala Murals are natural colors. The preparation of these pigments is time consuming and unavailability of some of the natural ingredients, nowadays artists use synthetic colors. The synthetic colors are available plenty in market under different brands. Though synthetic colors are used, the method of making the Kerala Murals and intricacy are not compromised to a great extent.

This Kerala Mural painting I made using acrylic colors:

Also read : Kerala Mural on Canvas: Brief Tutorial

Change in surface :

In ancient time , Kerala Murals were painted on walls of religious places like temples  and churches. There are some palaces which have Kerala Murals painted on the walls. Nowadays artists paint Kerala Murals on many surfaces, like walls of houses, terracotta pots, canvas, fabric, paper, cardboard etc.  I had seen a silk saree shop in Bangalore painted with Kerala Mural on all the walls of it.

I have painted this Kerala Mural on Bamboo :

Kerala Mural on Bamboo

Kerala Mural on Bamboo

Kerala Mural In Fashion and designing industry:

The modernization of Kerala Mural and its vibrant color combination , have made the art form to take a significant place in fashion and design industries. Many home decor items are designed using Kerala Mural. In fashion industry, Kerala Mural is made on many kinds outfits, which includes sarees, dress materials, duppatas and even on shirts.

Here are some duppatas painted with Kerala Mural( Designed by Sujith , Website : http://bhavmmuralarts.blogspot.com/)

Kerala Mural Painted Duppata Picture Courtesy :Sujith http://bhavmmuralarts.blogspot.com/

Kerala Mural Painted Duppata Picture Courtesy :Sujith http://bhavmmuralarts.blogspot.com/

Jewelries painted with Kerala Mural are also in trend now. Kerala Murals are painted on wooden pendants also on terracotta Jhumkas and earrings.

Kerala Mural on a pendant

I am designing a saree with Kerala Mural, not yet completed. Will share about that once I complete the work.

Until then,

Love, Laugh and Live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana