Kerala murals adorn the streets of Melbourne: Meet the artist

Stroll along the streets of the City of Greater Dandenong at Melbourne in Australia, and it will amaze everyone. The street pillars showcases the traditional mural art of Kerala.

The street pillars were painted in hues  of yellow, orange and red by Yogeshwari Biju, a trained Kerala Mural Artist from South India who has vast experience in conducting painting workshops, art exhibitions and art sale.

Yoge has used traditional Kerala mural colour palette including deep yellow, orange and red ochre colours that are warm and welcoming. The carefully chose colours also depicts the friendly, welcoming and warm-hearted characteristics of South Indian people. The top and bottom of the pillar are adorned by floral mashipoovu design. The central part showcases a beautiful Kathakali art form. Kathakali is an ancient and classical dance form of India and is an icon of Kerala worldwide. Yoge portrayed the love between Krishna and Rukmini in Kathakali dance form which brings life, love, vibrancy and attraction to Little India Precinct.

Yoge is an architect by profession and works for City of Casey, and this is her first street art project. She is much delighted to introduce traditional Kerala art in Australia. Yoge is selected after the City of Greater Dandenong conducted an expression of interest from all artist across Victoria to design and deliver a public art on a pillar for Little India, Dandenong, Melbourne.

The project looks at enhancing the street with beautiful & colourful art that depicts the culture of India and the authenticity of Indian community in South East. “Finishing the artwork meant giving life to the pillar. The art is now part of the local community,” said Yoge.

Located across the Dandenong Train Station and infront of Musuem India, the pillar is an attractive gateway to Dandenong. Yoge was able to bring Kerala culture and traditional art to international attention through the enchanted Kathakali dancers at Dandenong.