Syamala Kumari

K. Syamalakumari aka Syamala Kumari is an Indian temple painter. This was an occupation traditionally carried out by men. Her work includes painting at the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala. She has been awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar.

K. Syamalakumari
NationalityIndia
Occupationmural painter
Known forrestoring Kerala's temple murals
Spouse(s)G. Azhicode

Life

She was the first woman known to have been a Mural Artist in temples in Kerala.[1] She gained an interest in mural paintings at the turn of the millenium.[2] She has not just painted in the temples but she has helped to restore and preserve the traditional mural art present on the temple walls in Kerala. Syamalakumari has created documentaries.[3] She has created paintings at Navarathri Mandapam and at Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple aided by her husband G. Azhicode.[2]

Syamala Kumari receiving the Nari Shatki Puraskar in 2018

She has sold her work outside of her work in the temples. People who want her murals specify a subject and a size. Given the height and width, Syamalakumari would sketch the design and then the colours are applied which gradually build up the completed mural. The work is carried out by not just herself and her husband but their son is involved too. In addition to the murals she sells her art applied to pootery and to bamboo.[2]

On International Women's Day in 2018 she was given the Nari Shakti Puraskar.[4] Other award winners from Kerala were scientist Lizymol Philipose and zoologist M.S. Sunil.[5] The award was made at the Presidential Palace (Rastrapati Bhavan) in New Delhi by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind witnessed by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and the Minister for Women & Child Development, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi. About 30 people and nine organisations were recognised that day, receiving the award and a prize of 100,000 rand.[6]

References
  1. "International Women's Day: President Kovind honours 39 achievers with 'Nari Shakti Puraskar'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  2. Reporter, Staff (2012-08-21). "A fair that holds a surprise". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  3. "Nari Shatki Puraskar citation". Indian Gov on Twitter. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  4. "Nari Shakti Puraskar - Gallery". narishaktipuraskar.wcd.gov.in. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  5. "Scientist, social worker and mural artist: Meet Nari Shakti winners from Kerala". The News Minute. 2018-03-08. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  6. "On International Women's Day, the President conferred the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskars to 30 eminent women and 9 distinguished Institutions for the year 2017". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
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