Untitled

Artist: Murali Nagapuzha
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 47.4 × 35.7 inches (120.4 × 90.7 cm)

This striking oil on canvas by Murali Nagapuzha immerses the viewer in a lush and vibrant tropical forest, a recurring subject in the artist’s celebrated practice. Known for his lyrical depictions of Kerala’s landscapes and his deeply personal connection to nature, Nagapuzha here creates a vivid, almost dreamlike composition that pulses with life and color.

The painting is dominated by a dense arrangement of foliage, where every inch of the canvas is filled with energy and movement. Large tropical leaves, ferns, and bromeliads are depicted in stylized forms, painted in a palette that ranges from deep emeralds to bright, almost fluorescent greens. Interwoven with this foliage are bursts of vivid color, shades of red, orange, pink, yellow, and blue, that appear in the form of flowers, blossoms, and plant details. Together, these elements create a layered, immersive jungle, both real and imagined, that invites the viewer to wander within.

Adding vertical rhythm to the composition are several tall, golden-yellow bamboo stalks that stretch upward through the foliage. Their clean, strong lines provide structure against the more organic, sweeping forms of leaves and flowers, balancing the painting’s exuberant energy with a sense of order. At the center of this lush environment is a small, spotted deer with reddish-brown fur. Its delicate frame and serene gaze bring a gentle stillness to the otherwise dynamic composition. The deer appears partially concealed yet simultaneously illuminated within the vegetation, symbolizing the harmony between animals and their natural surroundings.

A second focal point is a small bird perched delicately on a branch. Painted in striking tones of orange, black, and white, the bird adds another layer of detail and draws the eye upward into the canopy. Together, the presence of both animal and bird introduces a narrative of coexistence and balance within the natural world. Adding to the vibrancy are clusters of white flowers scattered across the canvas. Their varied shapes and soft brightness punctuate the dense greenery, providing moments of calm amidst the kaleidoscope of color.

Nagapuzha’s style is bold and expressive, with visible brushstrokes that give the work a tactile, textured quality. The painting radiates vitality, embodying both the richness of Kerala’s ecology and the artist’s personal reverence for nature as a sanctuary. The presence of the artist’s signature on the lower part of the canvas affirms the authenticity of this remarkable work. This painting is not merely a representation of a forest; it is a celebration of biodiversity, memory, and belonging, marks of Murali Nagapuzha’s artistic vision.