Mural Paintings of Andhra

Painting being an important medium for the expression of visual fantasies from the prehistoric times, the artists of Andhra during the medieval period under the royal patronage decorated the walls and ceilings of the temples in different colors choosing mostly the epic themes to showcase the moral and ethical values besides extolling the greatness of the Gods and Goddesses. Excepting the paintings of Lepakshi that are well-known both at national and global level, the mural paintings that survive in few temples of Andhra have not received the due attention of the art historians that they deserve and there is no full length study on the subject till now.

Prof. M. Krishnakumari, has so far authored twelve books and edited two volumes and one hundred and seventy research papers written by her are published in the leading academic journals. She has brought out some important temples and sculptures to the limelight through her research studies which would otherwise be unknown to the academic world. She has specialized in the fields of epigraphy, art history and Medieval Andhra History and published her studies on the copper plate inscriptions recovered from Gallavalli and on certain rare icons and their significance.

For the expression of visual fantasies painting was an important medium besides sculpture. The painters under the patronage of the kings or local chiefs adopted long lasting techniques in the creation of wall paintings. The themes chosen were mainly based on the religious interests of their patrons. Generally the mural paintings of Andhra showcase the moral and ethical values clear to them based on the epic and puranic literature extolling the greatness of the Gods and goddesses.

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