Frescoes that are around 250 years old, which remained hidden for many years, are getting a fresh lease of life.
Four frescoes on the walls of the St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral, Pazhanji, had remained hidden under layers of lime coating as people failed to understand their artistic value.
Natural materials
Efforts are now on to retrieve the paintings with the same natural materials used for drawing them.
The paintings, which portray mainly the three biblical themes of sin, salvation, and faith, are situated on both sides of the altar, one of the oldest Orthodox churches in the State. While ‘First Sin’ and ‘Sacrifice of Abraham’ have been drawn on one side, paintings on ‘Crucifixion’ have been given on the other side.
The frescoes are mostly done on the walls, ceilings, and the altar with colours drawn from the nature. Lime stone was used for preparing the surface.
Juice of leaves, coloured stones, and resins are generally used for making frescoes, according to mural artist V.M. Jijulal, who is engaged in the conservation work.
A long tradition
According to historic documents, Kerala churches already had multicolour murals when Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael were engaged in painting in the 16th century.
They maintained high standard in terms of colours, skill, and imagination.
However, no detailed study has been conducted about the murals in Kerala churches believed to be set up between 14th and 18th century, which is popularly called as the ‘Nasrani School of Murals’.
There are 50-odd churches in Kerala that have murals on their altars.
Though the presence of the frescoes, under the lime coatings, was first found at the Pazhanji church during the 1990s, the preservation work started only recently.
The renovation work will be carried out preserving the archaeological importance of the church, said vicar Fr. Joseph Cheruvathur.
