Kerala has a rich tradition of Murals & Wall paintings since the 15th Century. Walls of many temples and palaces are adorned with splendid paintings. The themes are drawn from epics. They are painted in a stylized manner suitable to the mythical nature of the episodes represented. The walls are specially prepared for the painting which is done on dry surfaces. Vegetable and mineral colours are used. Brushes are made with vegetable fibers and animal hair. With the advent of the colonial rule, there was a setback in this activity, now it is being revived .There are some training centres for teaching young artists. These cetres can even be commissioned to do special work or prepare pictures that one desires. It may surprise some people to know that these wall paintings are done even in some of the old Christian Churches of Kerala - the themes of course being Biblical.

Even now the painting is done only with natural colours. Many of these centres of mural paintings are accessible to tourists. The following are a few of the important Mural painting centres.
Padmanabhapuram Palace -near Trivandrum.
Krishnapuram -Place near Kayamkulam.
Panayannarkaavu - temple near Perumala/Maannar.
Ettumanoor - temple near Kottayam.
Pundareekapuram temple - Midaayikunnam in Thalayolaparampu, Kottayam.
Mattancheri Palace - in Kochi.
Kottakkal Murals in Malappuram dist.
              &
also a few churches

Mural Paintings
The above Mural Paintings are done by MR.MANIKANDAN PUNNAKAL (Traditional  Artist). He does paintings for Drawing Rooms/ Offices/ Hindu temples/ Christian churches and other religious places of worship. He also does mural paintings in canvas as wall hangings.