Reimagining the Ramayana: Manoj Mathasseril’s Daily Mural Tribute
Artist Manoj Mathasseril is producing one watercolor portrait per day throughout the month of Karkkadakam to humanize the epic characters of the Ramayana. The series departs from traditional ornate styles to focus on raw emotion and human fallibility.
Key takeaways
- Manoj Mathasseril is painting one Ramayana character daily from July 17 to August 16.
- The artist uses 10x14 cm watercolor canvases to portray figures like Rama, Sita, and Ravana with human-like vulnerability.
- The series intentionally avoids ornate styles to emphasize the characters' emotional predicaments and life-like failings.
- Beyond human figures, the project includes animal characters like Jatayu, Jambavan, and the golden deer Mareecha.
- Mathasseril plans to host an exhibition of the complete series once the Karkkadakam month concludes.
A Daily Ritual in Watercolor
Manoj Mathasseril, a Kochi-based muralist and art educator, has embarked on a disciplined creative journey coinciding with the Malayalam month of Karkkadakam. From July 17 through August 16, Mathasseril is producing one watercolor painting every 24 hours. Each 10x14 cm canvas serves as a character study from the Ramayana, moving beyond mere religious iconography to explore the psychological depths of the epic’s figures.
Humanizing the Divine and the Demonic
Rather than adhering to the typical grandeur associated with kings, queens, and deities, Mathasseril emphasizes the ordinary human traits within his subjects. His technique utilizes varying opacities of watercolor to build warm, bold tones that define each character’s nature. By stripping away ornate decorations, the artist highlights the internal struggles and vulnerabilities of his subjects.
- Emotional Nuance: The portraits of Rama and Sita reflect a sense of helplessness, while Kausalya embodies grief and Kaikeyi displays a subtle cruelty.
- Visual Characterization: While most entries are facial portraits, the artist included Manthara’s hunchback as a vital narrative detail.
- Fauna of the Epic: The series extends to non-human figures, featuring Jatayu the vulture king, the bear mentor Jambavan, the golden deer disguise of Mareecha, and the devoted Hanuman.
Artistic Philosophy and Technical Shift
Mathasseril, who also works as a cartoonist and has contributed to mural restoration projects, views the Ramayana as a narrative deeply rooted in real-life situations and human failings. He avoids rigid pre-planning, allowing each portrait to evolve based on the specific essence of the character. Once the month-long project concludes on August 16, he intends to present the full collection in a formal exhibition. The series includes major figures such as Dasaratha, Lakshmana, Bharatha, Shatrugna, Sumitra, and Ravana, among others from a pool of over 50 potential subjects.
Source: The Hindu – Entertainment
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