One of Kerala's largest murals hangs in a Kayamkulam palace museum

Background

Kanayi Kunhiraman, a sculptor whose large works stand in many parts of Kerala, is about to see his tallest work unveiled at Kasaragod, which is a moment to recall where the State keeps its older sculpture. Krishnapuram Palace stands at Kayamkulam in the Karthikappally taluk of Alappuzha district. The district administration credits Marthandavarma Maharaja with building it. Its fame rests on one mural, which tells the story of Gajendramoksham, dates from the eighteenth century and is among the largest murals in Kerala. The building now works as a palace museum, holding antique sculptures, paintings and bronzes. It sits on National Highway 66, about two kilometres from Kayamkulam railway station. Kanayi's own Yakshi at the Malampuzha dam is the other Kerala sculpture that draws visitors in the same way.