depiction of nature in kerala art

7/27/2019 Depiction of Nature in Kerala Art

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grandeur. Since then, the temples were modeled with granite plinth, Laterite wall or

brick masonry in some cases, timber superstructures with terracotta or metal tiles

forming the roof. The walls were filled with moderate stucco motifs and the plain

portions were brushed with mural paintings. It is significant that the artisans had

avoided the exploitation of any particular material of nature and tried to be eco

friendly. While the mainland planners opted for the massive models the artists of Kerala employed minimum use of nature’s gift but created optimum visual effects.

The creation is also the unified efforts of stone carvers, stucco masons, carpenter

and wood carver, smiths for metal plating or potters for terracotta tiles and mural

artists. The visual art created by them shows that the nature and its materials need

not be separated from the artistic creations but forms the sum um bonum of it.

Nature is not separated from the art that was created but formed the part and

parcel of it. The manifestations of macrocosm are brought to the level of microcosm

with out any mistreatment.

Nature as in Silpa textsSilpa texts that govern the Kerala architecture focus on the consideration of Nature

and its bounty as nothing short of living organisms. The Sanskrit text

Tantrasamuchchaya prescribes propitiatory rites and seeks permission from the

Nature for utilizing or meddling with its products. Thus the tree cannot be cut for

carving with out seeking informal consent of it. Trees cut with out such permits are

banned for any use in the art. It is clear that nature and its manifestations were not

considered as dead materials meant for construction but the Natures’ products are

all considered as living organisms.

In this respect the Kerala artisans infuse life into nature and its materials and

environment is not kept as a separate entity away from art. Such texts go to the

extent of directing the artists to regret for such vandals for the mental or visual

pleasure of man. Nevertheless, with least interventions the artists could excel in

producing a visual feast.

Stone:

Depiction of nature in stone is just to complement the main theme that is selected

for portrayal. There are very few depictions in stone media where nature is

portrayed with many ramifications. The stone image of Vishnu now exhibited in

Thrissur Museum sports a semi circular prabhavali with floral designs. It is well

knitted garland thrown over Vishnu and forms an oval Aurovile over his head.

In another depiction in a jali frame around the sanctum of the Vadakkunatha

shrine, Thrissur Siva is depicted as Gangadhara with the river Ganga flashing in

high speed under his feet.

Wood carvings

Designs of flowers and creepers played a vital depiction in wooden sculptures of Kerala.

Three dimensional sculptures like the Saptamatrikas in Thiruvanchaikulam have a

pr abhavali with flower decked motifs and the pedestal is decorated with the creeper



foliated designs. Wooden panels always have creepers portrayed in a stylized form as the

borders. Such creepers are incised within the frame so that the main theme portrayed is

predominant in the frame. Among such frame works the wooden ceiling frames over the Namaskara mandapa in Vadakkunatha temple draw our attention. In contains many rare

iconographical depictions like Harihara, Bhishatana frame in which Vishnu offers

bhiksha to Siva, three murthy etc. All of them well enclosed with the conventionalizedcreepers.

Bronzes or Metal Objects

The earliest bronze image of Kerala datable to 9th CE is now stored inTrivandrum

Museum. All the bronzes that succeeded this period generally conform to the

iconographical traits and hardly had any scope for depiction of nature in metal

idiom. In a 16th CE Bronze Identified as Vishnu Maya now in Trichur Museum

with elaborate ornamentation gave scope for the artisan to display nature. It is

marked by heavy modeling with stylized features and the long garland that

stretched up to the toe is minutely warped with lotus motifs. The lotus petals intertwined with creeper motives and the intricacy achieved is unparallel in any other

metal object of that period. In another pair of Dwarapalakas discovered from the

Well of the temple in Iranikulam the flower decked garland is so stylized and they

became the centre of attraction.

Paintings

Nature in earliest phase datable to is seen in Thirunandikara Cave paintings. Seen

in very fragmentary state the animal and floral motifs here represent the glorious

phase of the murals. It is from the beginning of 17th CE, that we find landscape in

murals portrayed with naturalism of Kerala indigenous tradition. The

Gajavardamurthy scene in Krihnapuram palace has all elements which are possible

in a work of art. The simple mythological scene of Vishnu protecting the elephant

devotee from the clutches of the crocodile is animated to provide all required

surroundings of the narration blown with natural setting. The tank in which the

elephant’s leg is grabbed by the crocodile is with the wavy line indicating the flow

of free air and the disturbance caused by the acceleration of the incident. The lotus

flowers blown in the tank, the backdrop of trees on the banks, the crowded Devatas

on the sky show the skill of the painter within the limited span posed to him. (Pl – I)

The artisans in Mattenchery Palace could do full justification of depiction of nature

in rendering the form of Anantasayin Vishnu, reclining majestically on the bed of

Adishesa, the serpent coil. Ksherasamudra, the ocean of milk in which the serpent is

floating and holding the reclining Vishnu with his stretched right hand holding a

lotus, the full blown lotuses below the bed over the curly waves of the ocean, the

flying accompanying gods in the backdrop of sky, set up sensibly in the limited

frame. The space above the fully blown lotuses is made use of to show the ten

incarnations of Vishnu (Dasavatara) recording the innovation of the artists.

depiction of nature in kerala art

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