Kerala’s rich artistic heritage has achieved a significant milestone on the national stage, with acclaimed mural artist and art director Basanth Peringode bringing the beauty of traditional temple mural art to the Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum in New Delhi. His intricate paintings have been installed as a permanent exhibit at the prestigious museum, offering visitors an opportunity to appreciate Kerala’s distinctive artistic traditions.
Basanth was selected as one of a select group of artists from across India commissioned to create permanent installations for the historic Rashtrapati Bhavan Museum. He spent several days residing within the presidential estate, creating his masterpieces under the direct supervision of museum authorities. The completed artworks are now open to the public and are expected to attract the attention of thousands of visitors to the presidential complex.
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Adding to this prestigious achievement, President Droupadi Murmu personally met Basanth Peringode and expressed her appreciation for his remarkable artistic contributions. The recognition highlights the growing national prominence of traditional Kerala art forms and their enduring place in India’s cultural heritage.
Hailing from Peringode in Koottanad, Basanth has built a distinguished career spanning traditional art, academic engagement and cinema. He previously served as a faculty member at the Shree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady, contributing to the preservation and promotion of India’s artistic traditions.
Beyond mural painting, Basanth is also a recognised name in the Indian film industry, having worked extensively as an art director and production designer. His creative works have featured in numerous national and international exhibitions, reflecting his versatility and artistic vision.
His paintings have also been incorporated into major airport beautification projects across India, bringing regional artistic traditions into prominent public spaces and introducing travellers to the country’s cultural diversity.
Basanth currently resides at Trinity Apartments in Edappally, Ernakulam, with his wife, Preetha, and their son, Pinchu Alok.
The permanent installation of his paintings at Rashtrapati Bhavan marks a proud moment for Kerala, placing the state’s celebrated mural tradition in one of India’s most prestigious cultural settings and bringing its timeless artistic legacy to a wider national audience.
