The Scientific Preservation of the Mural Paintings at Siva Temple, Peruvanam, Cherpu, Thrissur District: Preserving the History and Promoting the Culture

Abstract

The murals of Kerala are renowned for their prominence in beauty, clarity, and symmetry with unmatched linear accuracy. The peculiarity of Kerala murals is their simple and thematic presentation of idealistic reproduction of humans, animals, and nature with technical excellence, illustrated with rich and delicate strokes and hued with bright colors. The tradition of mural painting in Kerala is unique in the world, and it is extremely rich with symbolism. Made only with natural mineral pigments, they stand out as the testimonies of an indigenous tradition and technique. The uniqueness of the Kerala temple murals comes with equally posed challenges in terms of preservation and management. This paper critically narrates different methods adopted by conservationists in the scientific treatment of mural paintings adored in the walls of the Siva Temple, Peruvanam, Cherpu in Thrissur District.