This Dasara, artists from across the State set to create magic with mud

Crafted from clay and steeped in centuries of tradition, the captivating art of terracotta murals is set to enchant tourists and art lovers alike at this year’s world-renowned Mysuru Dasara festival.

For the first time, the Dasara Fine Arts and Handicrafts Sub-Committee is introducing this ancient craft through a dedicated Terracotta Mural Camp in two phases — Sept. 2 to 8 and Sept. 22 to 28 — at the Chamarajendra Government College of Visual Arts (CAVA) in Siddarthanagar, Mysuru.

Terracotta mural art, once widely practised during the Indus Valley Civilisation, celebrates the elemental power of clay — one of the Pancha Bhootas (five elements).

This year’s camp spotlights a wide range of artistic styles, including vibrant folk traditions, intricate Badami Chalukyan motifs and exquisite depictions inspired by the Ajanta and Ellora caves.

A glimpse into history

Terracotta sculptures, created by shaping and firing clay, have been a part of human civilisation for millennia, with evidence found across Greek, Indian and East Asian cultures.

In India, this art form has evolved through centuries, being used for religious, decorative and cultural purposes. In Karnataka, terracotta flourished during the Satavahana and Ganga dynasties, enriched by cultural exchanges with Roman traders and other global influences.

To promote the terracotta sculptures featured in Mysuru’s prominent tourist destinations, a special art camp has been organised for the very first time under the guidance of renowned artist Ullaskar Dey.

Participating in this initiative are accomplished artists such as Ganesh Shervi from Bengaluru, Rukkappa Kumbara from Kalaburagi, Vittal Devendra Gavi from Belagavi, C.S. Vijayakumar from Mysuru, Mahadevaswamy from Chamarajanagar and Vinyas Katenahalli from Bengaluru. These artists are working together to create pieces that blend tradition with creativity, celebrating the diversity and depth of India’s terracotta heritage.

Elevating cultural landscape

Several mural pieces are already nearing completion, inspired by the Ajanta and Ellora caves, Badami Chalukyan sculptures and rich folk traditions. Rukkappa Kumbara and Vittal Devendra have created dynamic dance-themed artworks in folk style, while C.S. Vijayakumar and Mahadevaswamy have meticulously recreated motifs from the Badami Chalukya era.

Fired to Perfection

Once the sculptures are complete, they will be carefully sun-dried for two to three days and then fired in a kiln to achieve their final form. “These murals are being crafted with care and precision to give visitors a glimpse into this timeless art form,” said Camp Director                Ullaskar Dey, speaking to Star of Mysore.

This year’s Dasara festival offers a prestigious platform to  revive and recognise terracotta, an ancient native tradition that thrived during the rule of kings and maharajas but is now on the brink of extinction.

“The responsibility of preserving this endangered art form rests with all of us. The Dasara Fine Arts Sub-Committee has taken a keen interest in reviving terracotta art and is using this festival to bring it back into the public eye,” said A. Devaraju, Assistant Special Officer of the Dasara Fine Arts Sub-Committee.

With this unique initiative, Mysuru Dasara not only showcases its rich cultural legacy but also takes a vital step toward safeguarding a fading craft for future generations.