One of the richest and most ancient artistic traditions of Kerala is its mural painting heritage. Kerala is renowned as a prime location for some of the world’s finest mural-based arts. Traditionally, Kerala mural paintings depict stories, events, and characters from ancient puranas and epics. This tradition dates back to the 8th century, with some existing paintings tracing back to the period between the 15th and 19th centuries.

Kerala mural art is unique in its style and the materials used for colouring. This tradition follows a stylised mode of depicting characters and other elements, adhering to a codified system of rules. The murals reflect the varied cultural periods and the spiritual and artistic traditions of the land. Temples and palaces were the primary sites for these artworks. The oldest murals of this style were found in the Thirunandikkara Cave Temple in South Travancore, now part of Tamil Nadu. Unfortunately, many of these early works have vanished due to inadequate care and unawareness during renovations. The largest mural panel, identified as the ‘Gajendra Moksham,’ is located at the Krishnapuram Palace near Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district. Other notable sites include the Ramayana story paintings at Mattancherry Palace, and murals at Ettumanoor Temple, Thiruvattar Temple, Guruvayur Temple, Vadakkumnathan Temple, and Thiruvanchikulam Temple.

The colours used for the paintings are five in number, known as Pancha Varna- ochre yellow (a mix of orange and yellow), red, green, white, and black. The pigments are derived from natural elements like minerals and plant extracts. Black pigment is derived from soot, ochre yellow and red from minerals, green from the trees Garcinia morella and Indigofera tinctoria, and white from lime. The adhesive and resin used are also entirely natural. The outlines are drawn first, and the colours are filled in later. The final and most auspicious part of the painting is drawing the eyes, known as ‘mizhi thurakkal,’ which means opening of the eye, signifying the moment when the figure gets finish with the bhava (emotion portrayed). 

Today, synthetic alternatives are readily available, and mural paintings on canvases have become popular elements for those wanting to add a piece of Kerala’s rich cultural heritage to their artifact collections. The mural painting style is now extensively used in various mediums, including clothing (especially sarees), jewelry, ceramic vessels, flower vases, and other decorative elements.