The ancient art of the mural painting of Kerala stands unique among the various Indian traditional forms of paintings. Dating back to between the 9th to 12th centuries CE, Kerala mural paintings enjoyed royal patronage. Portraying characters and scenes from Hindu mythologies, these paintings also reflect Indian spirituality and communicate an atmosphere of the divinity to the viewer. One can also feel what the artist knows, believes and wants to convey.

The cave paintings of pre-historic times were the precursors of murals. The simplicity of subjects, technical excellences, thematic presentation, bold-but-delicate strokes, bright and beautiful colours and the idealistic representation of human beings, animals and trees are all important characteristics of Kerala murals.

They can be seen in all their glory in the palaces at Padmanabhapuram, Krishnapuram and Mattanchery; in the temples of Ettumanoor, Pundareekapuram, Panayennarkavu, Guruvayur, Padmanabhaswami temple, Thriprayar, Kottakal etc. and in the churches in Kottayam chapel, Angamali, Kanjoor, Akapparambu and so on.

Lime, cotton and sand are used to prepare the wall. Once the specially prepared wall is dry, the mural work begins. Brushes are made either using the bark of a particular tree or from arrow grass tied to thin bamboo. Coloured dyes are prepared from vegetables and minerals. The colours yellow and red are made from stones mined from deep below the earth, and the green colour is prepared from the juice of the plant Neelamari (Indigofera). White colour is extracted from lime mixed with tender coconut water, while the black colour is made from the deposit of carbon soot of lamp. The Neem-glue mixed colours are more adhesive on the walls.

The appreciation of this traditional art form by modern society has succeeded in gradually finding a pride of place for Kerala mural paintings within drawing rooms as well. While time sculpts its way, the exquisiteness of Kerala mural paintings will only evolve.