The art of Kerala Mural paintings that dates back to several centuries, has evolved a lot ever since. From being painted on temple walls to being painted on canvases, from using natural dyes to acrylic hues, and from only men painting them, to now women joining in, this art of depicting mythology has undergone various changes.
“Kerala mural paintings are an ancient art form of Kerala, and initially, only men were allowed to work on such paintings,” explains artist Ragini Krishnan, who has contributed a series of 15 paintings to an exhibition of the same at the Salar Jung Museum. However, slowly women started getting involved in this art form, she adds.
Krishnan met her guru Prince Thonnakkal around two years ago, when he and his students (mostly women) exhibited mural paintings depicting the story of Ramayana. “I developed an interest in the art form when I visited their exhibition in Kerala,” recalls Krishnan, who was into abstract and fabric painting, adding, “That was when I asked Prince Thonnakkal to teach me this beautiful craft.”
Two years on, they were approached to display their collection in Hyderabad. “I made around 15 paintings, depicting different facets of Lord Krishna. Apart from that, this exhibition consists of paintings by my guru, and other students,” says the artist, who has tried to bring out different aspects of Lord Krishna’s life — right from his childhood to his mischief with the gopikas and his tryst with his long lost friend, Sudama.
Kerala mural paintings are a celebration of colours, and this explosion of colours is what inspired Krishnan to take to this form of art. “Kerala mural paintings primarily have bright colours like blue, green, orange and black on a white background. But, I want to incorporate some more colours in my next collection of paintings,” says Krishnan, who wants to depict the story of Kalidasa’s Abhijnana Shakuntalam in her next collection.
This exhibition of Kerala mural paintings concluded at Salar Jung Museum on Sunday. However, if you have missed it, head over to the Shrishti Art Gallery, where the same exhibition will begin on September 13. Price of the paintings on display ranges from `15000 to `1,00,000.
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