Paintings in Kerala

• The ancient paintings of Kerala had its origins in cave paintings and
carvings.
• The ancient wall paintings are mainly seen in places of worship such as
temples.
• Modern painting styles were introduced through the paintings of Raja Ravi
Varma, who is also regarded as the founder of modern Indian painting.
 Cave Paintings
• Edakkal Caves (Malayalam: ഇടക്കൽ ഗുഹകൾ) are two natural caves at a remote location at Edakkal, 25 km (15.5 mi) from
Kalpetta in the Wayanad district of Kerala in India's Western Ghats.
• Figures of elephants, hunters and deer are also seen.
 Mural painting
• Kerala mural paintings related Hindu mythology and legends, which are drawn on the walls of temples and
churches in South India, principally in Kerala.
• The masterpieces of Kerala mural art include: the Shiva Temple in Ettumanoor, the Ramayana murals
of Mattancherry Palace and Vadakkumnatha kshetram.
• Traditionally the painting involves four different processes,
• Preparation of the ground (granite and laterite walls)
• Sketching of the outline
• Application of colors and
• Addition of decorative details
• Color preparation[edit]
• Traditional murals used panchavarana (Sanskrit: five colors) exclusively i.e. red, yellow, green, black
and white,[2]
• . Colors are prepared from vegetable and mineral pigments. Red is derived from red laterite, yellow is
derived from yellow laterite, white from lime, and black from oil-lamp soot. Leaves
of Neelamari (Indian Indigo; Indigofera tinctoria ) plant are squeezed and the extract is used after
drying up to be mixed with Eravikkara (Garcinia morella) for obtaining the green pigment. Wooden
utensils are used for mixing the colours and the binding media used is derived from tender coconut
water and extracts from the Neem tree (Azadirachta indica).[2]
• The characters in the murals are colored according to their characteristics as illustrated in the relevant Hindu
mythological scriptures. Spiritual, divine and dharmic characters (satwika) are depicted in shades of green.
Those influenced towards power & materialistic wealth (rajasic) are painted in shades of red to golden yellow.
Evil, wicked and mean characters (tamasic) are generally painted in white or black
• Kalamezhuthu, a ritual art in which the pictures of Gods and Goddesses
are drawn on the floor using coloured powders, is another system of
painting prevalent in Kerala.
• Kalamezhuthu is a ritual art form of Kerala wherein the deity’s form is drawn on the floor using five types of coloured powders.
• This is practiced by many communities in Kerala and is a part of many ritual forms. Kalamezhuthu and Pattu is conducted to propitiate the
deities and to avoid untoward happenings.
• It is practiced during festivals in Bhadrakali (Mother Goddess) temples, and on special occasions in SarppaKavu (groves sacred to snakes)
and AyyappanKavu (temples dedicated to Lord Ayyappa).
• Various deities are picturised using coloured powders. Kalamezhuthu is done by various communities such as Kaniyan, Vannan, Puluvar,
Malayan, Pulayar, Maavilar, Munnoottan, Parayan, Paniyan, Aaviyar, Velan, Mannaan, Koppaalan, Kuravar, Theeyaattunni, Theeyadi
Nambiar, Theyyampadi Nambiar, Varanattu Kuruppanmar, Kallatta Kuruppanmar, Puthusseri Kuruppanmar, Marar and so on.
Kolamezhuthu
• Kolamezhuthu or Rangoli is prevalent among the Tamil Brahmins of Kerala. Women in the family draw “kolam” using rice flour in
the front yard of the house every morning. The objective of the “Kolam” is to welcome the Goddess of wealth and prosperity
Mukhathezhuthu
• Mukhathezhuthu signifies the painting of the artistes’ face in ritual art forms. Mukhathezhuthu that is a necessary part of
various art forms such as Mudiyettu, Theyyam, Thira, Kalikettu, Kaliyoottu, Thullal, Kathakali, Krishnanaattam, Kudiyattam,
Koothu, etc..