Institute of Mural Painting

Institute of Mural Painting (celebrated across India as the foremost academy and preservation sanctuary of classical Kerala fresco artistry, dedicated to reviving the ancient temple wall painting traditions following the historic 1970 Guruvayur temple fire), situated near the East Nada of the Sree Krishna Temple just 400 meters from Guruvayoor town center in Kerala, is one of the state's most culturally vital, artistically renowned, and creatively inspiring fine arts institutions.

Founded in July 1989 under the visionary patronage of the Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee and legendary mural maestro Mammiyoor Krishnankutty Nair, this premier Gurukula academy was established to train a new generation of master artists in the authentic Dhyana Shlokas, sacred iconography, and painstaking Panchavarna (five natural mineral and herbal colors) techniques required to restore the lost murals of Kerala's ancient sanctums.

It's the home of active student art studios where apprentice artists grind natural laterite stones, neem resin, and crushed sea oyster shells on granite slabs to extract raw mineral pigments, an extensive exhibition gallery showcasing life size master copies of classic temple murals from Mattancherry Palace, Padmanabhapuram Palace, and Guruvayur sanctum, specialized diploma courses covering traditional Sanskrit aesthetics, Shilpa Shastra, and temple iconography, live demonstration workshops where visitors observe master brushwork using fine kora grass and tender bamboo brushes, an art sales counter offering authentic hand painted canvas murals depicting Anantasayana Vishnu, Shiva Parvati, and Krishna Leela, and an enriching atmosphere where the sacred aroma of herbal binders and natural gum fills the airy studio halls.

It represents a rich fine arts, heritage preservation, and academic sanctuary where ancient Sanskrit aesthetic canons, natural mineral pigment alchemy, traditional Gurukula apprenticeship, and sacred temple storytelling unite in Guruvayoor municipality.

Located on the East Nada approach road near the Devaswom Office, it sits just 400 meters from Guruvayur Railway Station (GUV), 28 km from Thrissur, 80 km from Cochin International Airport (COK), and 90 km from Calicut International Airport (CCJ), easily accessible on foot from the temple East Gate.

The 1989 Revival & Mammiyoor Krishnankutty Nair Legacy

When the tragic 1970 fire destroyed ancient sanctum frescoes at Guruvayur, master painter Mammiyoor Krishnankutty Nair led the heroic recreation effort.

To prevent the endangered art form from dying out, the Devaswom established this formal 5 year residential academy under his guidance in 1989.

Truth is, watching a young artist sketch an intricate Ganapati outline with natural red ochre on handmade canvas is deeply captivating.

Panchavarna Alchemy: 5 Natural Mineral Pigments

Natural Pigment Grinding: Students use only five traditional colors (red, yellow, green, black, and white) extracted from laterite stones, gamboge tree resin, indigo leaves, lamp soot, and lime.

Shilpa Shastra Proportions: Every divine figure is measured strictly according to canonical Talamana proportions laid down in ancient Sanskrit texts.

Exhibition Gallery & Authentic Art Souvenirs

Permanent Art Gallery: The academy gallery displays stunning completed murals depicting episodes from Bhagavata and Ramayana epics.

Art Souvenirs: Connoisseurs can purchase certified handmade mural paintings on wood panels and canvas directly from the institute.

After immersing in the traditional mural arts at the institute, offer prayers at the sacred Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, tour the Devaswom Museum, or visit the elephant camp at Punnathur Kotta.