EMERGING TRENDS IN CHUARCHITRARANGAL - TRADITIONAL MURAL ART OF KERALA

Abstract [English]

The south Indian state of Kerala is home to charismatic murals painted between 9th and 18thcentury CE and are proudly known as Chuarchitrarangal. These paintings adorn the walls of Shrikovil – the sanctum sanctorum of Hindu temples all over Kerala that narrates stories of God and Goddesses. Kerala murals have largest collection of secco, based on ancient Indian mythological stories.
This study aims to identify, analyse and document the emerging trends in Kerala Mural Paintings. Also, it will make an effort to forecast the future trends. Primary data of renowned artists and secondary data of ancient murals will be referred for the study. 7 temples which hold the best condition murals will be included in the research.
The medieval era (9th to 12th century CE) saw the height of this art. The entry of European art into academia in the 19th century, hampered the local art and Kerala murals began to face a significant decrease. Because of the realistic finish of European painting and the use of new convenient oil paints, local traditional art styles were no longer recognized and respected. The Kerala mural tradition had already faded into history by the end of the 1900s.
Currently Kerala has a decent number of professional muralists who work extensively in conventional and contemporary methods. This art is being revived steadily. New generation artists are experimenting to keep up with the pace and preferences of new world. Getting inspired from various genres, creating novel styles yet keeping the conventional value intact has become a major trend in Kerala mural art.