Mural Painting- Making Green Colour

Mural painting is a living tradition in Kerala, where this art is believed to have originated in the 9th century. Several temples, churches and palaces in the state have well preserved ancient paintings.

Today, there are several mural painters in the state, thanks to the efforts of a few institutions. Like the ancient ones, modern murals too are drawn using eco-friendly colours. While the brush is made of grass, the different colours used are pure natural extracts. The raw materials include leaves, fruits, stones, ores, elements etc.

Shown here is the extraction of green colour from a common herb called Neela Amari. The video is shot from Vasthuvidya Gurukulam, a premier centre for training and research in mural painting.