Its massive scale and composition exude vibrancy, while the imagery evokes both theatre and faith. But the viewer cannot escape seeing all: these murals also have areas that are lost to age and neglect.
After decades of neglect, the exquisite murals that adorn the walls of the Ettumanur Mahadeva temple in Kottayam are finally being restored. The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which currently manages the temple, will soon kick-start a programme to bring back the grandeur of these centuries-old works of art.
Confirming the move, TDB president K. Ananthagopan said experts from the Vasthuvidya Gurukulam at Aranmula examined the murals and submitted a project for its restoration and conservation. “The proposal will be taken up for discussion during the upcoming meeting of the board. In between, the board engineer has been instructed to fix leakages on the temple roof and secure these walls,’’ he said.
