MAZHAVILLU | Page 47

This specific mural art is known as an Ajanta mural. It originates from the mural paintings inside the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra, India. The caves include paintings and sculptures that are described to the finest living examples of Indian Art, and they are mostly revolved around Buddhism, with pictures of the Buddha and depictions of the Jakarta tales. They were originally made from natural resources but modern ones now use a variety of different materials. This is a mural painting of Ganesh, an elephant-headed deity in Hindu mythology. This is a very intricate detailed mural painting that uses acrylic colours to bring the painting to life. The basic shape is first outlined on canvas, and then uses mostly red and orange acrylics to bring the rajasic colouring to represent the character in the painting. This is a fantastic example of the art form of cone painting. The actual basic shape and form of the painting is drawn in painted first using acrylics. Then, using a cone (Mehndi cone type structure), add in details that protrude from the painting. This is very effective and also very easy to do. Here are a few further examples from the Internet: Krishna and the Gopis Ananthashyanam, depicted in Kerala’s characteristic temple mural style 47