Kaavi Kala: An Endangered Ancient Mural Tradition and its Ritualistic and Cultural Narratives of the Konkan's Southwestern Coast

Divya Valvaikar

This paper presents Kaavi Kala - an ancient mural-making tradition indigenous to the Konkan Coast of India, encompassing the states of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, as a compelling lens through which to examine the ritualistic, cultural, and economic narratives of coastal communities in the Indo-Pacific region. Kaavi Kala is a mural technique rooted in the use of laterite, the distinctive red soil of the south-western coast, applied and etched onto the walls of temples and houses of those days to create intricate depictions of deities, daily life, and sacred ritual. Dating back at least to the 12th century, these murals were once vivid storytellers, recording the spiritual world, local traditions, and lived experiences of coastal communities over generations. Stemming from a deep personal connection to the land and its disappearing heritage, this paper explores the history and technique of Kaavi Kala, the stories it carries, and what its fading presence reveals about how we value and transmit cultural memory. The research further examines the current state of this art form, where, while practitioners continue to create, the authentic restoration of temple murals has gradually given way to commercial adaptations on boards and canvases, risking a quiet departure from its sacred and architectural origins. Through this presentation, the paper proposes frameworks for recognition and preservation that honour the art form's roots, while advocating for Kaavi Kala's place within the broader scholarly conversation on Indo-Pacific coastal heritage.