REJUVENATING TRADITION

The Vasthuvidya Gurukulam at Aranmula is being a domineering force in preserving traditional art forms and wisdoms of Kerala.
It’s our personal pride to live on a land which is denoted as God’s on land. But for the last several decades we are living on this green land without knowing what we really are and what we really have. When technology and new cultures invade our minds numerous traditional art forms and wisdoms that we got from our ancestors had lost from our hands.

 Vasthuvidya and mural art are such art and wisdom that fade from our life. Vasthuvidya Gurukulam is an Institution that looks forward to the conservation and propagation of such cultural wisdoms and they are setting a mark for the last 21 years in this filed. Vasthuvidya Gurukulam is a unique Institution under the department of culture, Govt of Kerala. This is being located in Pathanamthitta district. “Institution began its functioning from 17th November 1993 in a Nalukettu on the bank of river Pampa, west of the famous Parthasarathy Temple. This the pioneer institution in its kind in India under government sector that intended to promote and preserve the Traditional Architecture, Mural Painting and other related subjects of our nation” says P.N Suresh the executive director and one of the pioneer of this Institution. People of Kerala have heard about Vasthuvidya from elder once or through some other media. There are people who pretended to know Vasthu and make it a way to earn their daily bread but the real science has vanished from common people.’ Today People are running for luck and following foolish ideas from these type of fakeries but the real Vasthu vidya is a traditional art that has evolved itself through many, many centuries and is unique in being congenial to man’s living conditions, biological existence and surroundings. This was a vidya transferred from guru to shishya but later this art got extinction Vasthuvidya Gurukulam is conducting four academic courses in Vasthuvidya and mural painting based on the basic text of Vasthuvidya, Mayamatham, manasaram, Thansthrasamuchayam, Silipiratnam and Manushyalayachandrika,The first University recognized Vasthuvidya course is being conducted in Vasthviday Gurukulam.”Here we provide three courses based on Vasthuvidya, and the we had already documented in detail more than 165 traditional architectural structures in Kerala. Now  people recognize its worth and we have a very efficient  consultancy wing which prepare sketches, plans and designs for those who are interested in building their houses in traditional architectural pattern”, says P.N Suresh executive director.

 It is accepted fact that the murals of Kerala had contributed much to the Indian art traditions. While considering the quantity of mural painting within the nation Kerala stands in second place next to Rajasthan. Vasthuvidya Gurukulam was founded with mission to preserve, Nurture and popularize mural painting.” We have two courses in mural painting. The course give emphasis to the Kerala mural Painting style.” says P.N Suresh, the executive director.” ‘The last supper’ one of the holy moments of Indian mythology was being painted through mural painting style and handed over to Vathican Museum and mural painting renovation work of Sree Padmanabhaswami temple Aranmula Parthasarathy temple are some glimpse of achievements of the mural department of Gurukulam”, he continues .
The gallery situated near the headquarters of Vasthuvidya Gurukulam, north to Aranmula Parthasarthy temple provides a profound understanding of the art form. Apart from exhibition of miniaturemural paintings, It also offers an opportunity for the visitors to watch and comprehend the painting process and also the preparation of natural colours and brushes etc. A selling counter of painting and natural colours is also a part of the gallery.” In Kerala most of the murals painting are on temple walls. Non Hindus are not permitted to enter inside the temple Sa a group of population is not allowed to enjoy this unique and classical painting form because of some prevailing customers and tradition.

That is why Vasthuvidya Gurukulam decided to establish a mural art gallery which is opened to all”, says P.N Suresh executive director of Gurukulam. Vasthuvidya Gurukulam have an upper hand in taking our new generation towards Vasthu and Mural art. Vasthuvidya, which was labelled as part of something superstitious, outdated and impractical, has now regained its prestigious and dignified position, It once enjoyed in the immemorial past. The architectural acumen of Kerala especially the traditional methods is today reckoned for its aesthetic marvel and also living in absolute harmony with Nature. In the realm of tradition architecture of Kerala, the Vasthuvidya Gurukulam is today a centre reckoned for its efforts to preserving the nuance of Kerala’s traditional architecture. It is now well on course in becoming a centre of repute for learning the many facets of Kerala’s traditional architecture and preserving them for posterity.

Article Done By
Arun George Mathew
Journalism Student,
Don Bosco  Arts and Science College, kannur