Mona Lisa gets Malayali makeover in Kerala Tourism’s Onam campaign

As Kerala gears up for the Onam festivities, an unusual cultural twist has caught the internet’s eye — Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has been reimagined in a traditional Malayali look on Kerala Tourism’s social media platforms.

The AI-generated artwork shows the world’s most famous smile draped in Kerala’s trademark off-white kasavu saree, her hair decorated with jasmine flowers. While the attire has changed, the Renaissance icon retains her timeless expression, now blended with Kerala’s festive spirit.

The campaign, carrying the tagline “Kerala Tourism – Timeless. Graceful. Iconic,” is part of this year’s Onam promotions, which run from August 26 to September 5, ending with Thiruvonam, the most significant day of the harvest festival.

Within hours of its release, the Malayali Mona Lisa became a social media sensation, drawing thousands of likes, shares and witty comments. Many praised the creative mix of Kerala’s cultural identity with one of the world’s best-known artworks.

Tourism officials suggested the timing was intentional, coinciding with a curious piece of history: on August 21, 1911, the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre in Paris, triggering global headlines until its recovery two years later.

Officials say such imaginative campaigns are part of Kerala’s broader digital strategy to boost its profile as a year-round destination. Tourist arrivals, both domestic and international, have been rising steadily, aided by striking visuals and global cultural references.

As Onam ushers in a season of colour, feasts and tradition, the Malayali Mona Lisa stands as a graceful symbol of welcome — an artistic invitation to discover Kerala at its festive best.