Kottayam to be declared a 'picture city'

With the aim of promoting Kerala as a 'mural city', the state government has started a campaign to encourage mural paintings by artists from within and outside the country.
The curtain raiser event to the campaign "Panchavarnam" (five colours), starting from April 19 in Kottayam, will be held in front of the famed Thirunakkara temple, state Culture Minister K C Joseph told reporters here today.
Kottayam will be dedicated to the nation as a "picture city" on May 25.
As many as 350 artists from within and outside the country would participate in the camp being organised with the collaboration of Kerala Lalit Kala Akademi, Joseph said.

Artists from several states including Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh and also from Germany, Italy and Mexico have confirmed participation.
Apart from Kerala's own mural style, artists who follow noted Indian traditions like Madhubani, would draw pictures during the event. In addition to traditional mural style, works would also be executed in modern media like mosaic, relief and terracotta.