This is a study on the ritual painting of Kerala known as Kalamezhuthu, bringing out the symboloic significance of the five colours (Panchavarnam) used for making the painting by linking them with various rituals, practises and beliefs prevalent in Kerala. It is concluded that the colours represent the symbolic nature of the process of kalamezhuthu-creation (red), preservation (green), and annihilation (black). The other two colours represent the earth goddess (yellow) and fertility (white).