The tale must be trace back to the days of mushiga dynasty formerly known as Kolathiris now known as Chirakkal Rajahs. The lacks of proper documentations are creating obstacles in understanding the exact origin and evolution of the craft. Etymologically ‘Nettur Pettti’ depicts the origin, Nettur is a place situated near Talasseri and ‘Petti’ means box so literal meaning is box made at Nettur. Though relying on the name can become a controversy because there are few other places also called Nettur. There are few other strong evidences which prove that this particular craft is originated in Kolathiri dynasty. The design influences can be traced in the architectural detailing at temples of north Kerala; the influence of mural paintings and the design influence of folk ritualistic performance ‘theyyam’. At present there is no artisan working on or making Nettur petti in north Kerala and it is surviving in few parts of southern Kerala.

How did this craft travelled to south Kerala, can be traced back from the 14^th century historical evidence. The origins lay in the inceptive 14^th century adoption from the Kolathiri dynasty, when a celebrated ancestor of the Travancore family king Sangamadheera installed two princesses as his successors. At the time Travancore was known as Kupaka kingdom and was not considered as strictly Malayali in culture. Its rulers and people had affinity towards Tamil society, and Sangamadheera himself had married a Pandya princess, also wining the proudest victories beyond the eastern frontiers of Kerala. The Kolathiri Rajah, therefore, is believed to have been loath to send two of his sisters into a near Tamil family, and it was through clever deception and artful intrigue that Sangamadheera orchestrated their acquisition.

Perhaps as a consolation, however, it was decided to protect the adoptees in an insulated cocoon of their own, away from the Tamil influences they so abhorred. A portion of the Kupaka kingdom with its headquarters at Attingal was carved out and a miniature version of Kalahari country was skillfully designed within. Not only was Thirivirattukkavu Bhagavati consecrated here as the principle goddess, but even soldiers, retainers, artisans, craftsmen, slaves and other moral factors were brought all the way from the homeland of the princesses, instead of being recruited locally.  This part of the history of Kerala is the mere example to show how the authentic Malabar box or Nettur Petti did travelled from North Kerala to South Kerala.