The murals are introduced here in their historical, architectural, iconographic, and mythical contexts. I hope that their underlying sacred value will come to light through the presentation of the aesthetic, religious and spiritual background which has gone into their making. The exceptional beauty of these murals comes from an intense devotional feeling experienced by the painters of the past, and hopefully of today’s painters as well in the continuing tradition, feeling which instills them with life. This is true of all forms of traditional and ritual performing arts of Kerala. Many of these arts are gaining recognition worldwide and it is hoped that by making these works of art
available to a larger public it will help to show the variety and wealth of Kerala's cultural heritage.

Although comparatively recent, the murals of Kerala are little known to historians and art lovers. They deserve recognition for they stand among the most beautiful frescoes of India. One of the main reasons for a lack of knowledge regarding these works is that they are virtually inaccessible,
especially those found in temples. They usually cover the walls of the innermost sanctuary in which the deity is enshrined. This sanctuary, generally accessible only to Hindus, is reached by crossing the various circumambulatory enclosures.5 Paintings are occasionally seen it is found at Ettumanur temple.