Kerala heritage buildings.

[sanjupalayat]

[simpliCITY]

Mishkal Masjid, Kuttichira, is the oldest mosque in Kozhikode. It is named after the rich merchant who built it. A four-storeyed structure supported by wooden pillars, the mosque is a rare specimen of the architectural splendour of Kerala.

In 1510, the Portuguese burnt down some portions of it. Some charred portions still remain on the top floor of the mosque

[sanjupalayat]

Originally Posted by simpliCITY

Mishkal Masjid, Kuttichira, is the oldest mosque in Kozhikode. It is named after the rich merchant who built it. A four-storeyed structure supported by wooden pillars, the mosque is a rare specimen of the architectural splendour of Kerala.

In 1510, the Portuguese burnt down some portions of it. Some charred portions still remain on the top floor of the mosque

Thanx a lot for uploading this here....i hav uploaded it in our old calicut projects nd cityscapes thread...

[scorpiogenius]

The old and original Trivandrum city is a vintage architecture hunter's dreamland. The countless elegant architectural masterpieces adorn each and every avenue of this oriental city.

Trivandrum is known for this laidback settings, and still retains its old world charm inspite of the highrise and malls boom.

Here are some snaps from Kumar's Public Gallery

Padmanabha Swamy Temple & premises


East Fort heritage buildings


VJT Hall on MG Road


Napier Museum and Palace


College of Fine Arts, MG Road


Public Library, MG Road

[DeMorgan]

Originally Posted by sanjupalayat

Hello,

I have been very interested to find your posts on older venacular buildings like the one above in Kerala.

Two years ago I was in Kerala researching the activities of my 4 x great uncle Thomas Hervey Baber, who lived in the Malabar from 1797 until the late 1820's.

I saw a lot of these really interesting old houses, which still survive.

What I would like to ask is, is it possible to tell which community in Malabar built which type of house from its style alone?

The reason I ask this, is that I have discovered a collection of houses at Pallikunnu at the northern end of Thalaserry that I believe T H Baber had had built as part of his experimental plantation. Between 1815 and 1818 he had built a large house, which still survives on the top of the hill, and it would appear he also built about 20 houses around on the slopes for his workers.

They are of three or four different types, as illustrated below. I believe he was trying to build a Model Village or community much like the ones being built at the same time in England at estate villages.

Some like this one would appear to be for an important servant or perhaps headman.



Others like this one, of which there are several more on exactly the same basic floor plan, would appear to have been for less important people, or perhaps a lower caste.



Some like this one have been much altered over time.



Can anybody tell me what the individual house styles indicate to a local Malabar person. Being English myself, I am unable to understand the styles myself.

Nick

http://malabardays.blogspot.com/

[DeMorgan]

Hello

In the oldest part of the town of Mananthavadi down near the bridge over the river is a short street of particularly fine old houses, including this store.

I believe that these houses date from about 1805 or shortly thereafter.



(if you click on the thumbnail, a large picture comes up.)

Would this house have been the sort of house a Chetti might have lived in?

Leaving Manathavadi over the bridge and heading west towards the top of the ghats there is a road that appears to have been laid out probably after 1805, and which is 40 foot wide from boundary to boundary, with a 20 foot carriageway running down the centre line. The side roads are exactly 20 feet wide from bank to bank with a central 10 foot carriageway.

Although the route may follow one of Tipu Sultan's Gun Roads from the 1780's it appears to have been laid out and settled in a deliberate way after about 1805.

There are a number of very similar houses at intervals along this road, like the following one.



Can anybody tell me if it is possible to identify the style of the house?

Is it a standard local pattern, or could it come from another community being brought in to run the farms, perhaps from Mysore or Coorg for instance?

Nick

[sanjupalayat]

Demorgan, thanx for ur post, in malabar usually every casts hav their own tastes when they come to build their home during anicient times.....Namboothiries or malayalam bramins build very big houses which is usually called nalukettu or ettukettu depending upon the number courtyards present, they are usually called ILLAM'S, Ksathriyars or ruling class builds houses similar to that of bramins but will be more luxurious than bramin households or may be bigger, they live in communities normally centered wid one temple, they are called as kovilakam's...Nairs or warrior class also build huge homes depending opon their proffesion in the kings court, they also build Nalukettu or padinjata house facing towards east. Thiyyars which also come under warrior class normally called as chekavars in northern ballads also build bigger houses normally a replica of nairs, mostly padinjata in kozhikode and kannur districts according to their proffesional status, both nair and thiyyar hoseholds will be attached with one temple or we call here it as kavu, with anual theyyam festivals etc.

[sanjupalayat]

Originally Posted by DeMorgan

Hello

Those are not houses i guess, they appear to me as old shop buildings u find in kerala towns and cities build during 19th centuary..

[vidya]

Originally Posted by simpliCITY

Mishkal Masjid, Kuttichira, is the oldest mosque in Kozhikode. It is named after the rich merchant who built it. A four-storeyed structure supported by wooden pillars, the mosque is a rare specimen of the architectural splendour of Kerala.

In 1510, the Portuguese burnt down some portions of it. Some charred portions still remain on the top floor of the mosque

like said in the earlier post that the temple was demolished a build on later so beautifull. Then why not the burnt portion of the mosque is repaired ....And also when it is said that its one of the rare specimen

[India101]

I love the architecture in Kerala. It kinda reminds me of the architecture in South east Asia.

[sanjupalayat]

A typical Traditional house situated in calicut, kerala.

[Marathaman]

Thanks Sanjupalayat! Very informative thread.

[Mahratta]

Great thread. Not been here for a while.
Keep up the good work, folks!

[Marathaman]

Peruvanam Temple, Cherpu:

[sanjupalayat]

incredible..............

[p2p4]

Originally Posted by Mahratta

I love Keralite architecture. It has a clean simplicity that is almost East-Asian in nature...very different from anything in India

In my humble opinion, the peoples of South Indian states (TN, Kerala, Karnataka) are more passionate about preserving their culture. Not only traditions but also architectural heritage. IF not for this pride that the Keralites have, much of traditional designs would have been lost to the ghastly, modern monoliths that you see in the cities. I am a Marathi but I really envy the southerners for their zeal in preserving old ways.

Salutes
p2p4

[Marathaman]

Originally Posted by p2p4

In my humble opinion, the peoples of South Indian states (TN, Kerala, Karnataka) are more passionate about preserving their culture. Not only traditions but also architectural heritage. IF not for this pride that the Keralites have, much of traditional designs would have been lost to the ghastly, modern monoliths that you see in the cities. I am a Marathi but I really envy the southerners for their zeal in preserving old ways.

Salutes
p2p4

And modernizing much better at the same time.

[Kiddu]

Located in Ernakulam,Kerala.
It is the oldest Jain temple in India!

[flyinfishjoe]

I hope that this sort of architecture is preserved; I say this because a relative of mine recently demolished his 110+ year old ancestral house to build an ugly concrete monstrosity. I tried to protest, but he had no idea why I wanted to preserve a "backwards" house.

[arundinil]

I am posting a few pictures of Kerala's most prestigious architectural wonder- The Padmanabhapuram Palace located near Kanyakumari.

The Palace is the world's largest wooden palace, made out of rosewood, teak, sandal along with various unique Ayurvedic ingredients and spice mixtures not known even now.

(A few pictures were posted earlier in Skyscrapercity in other sub-forums, especially Marathaman)


The main entry lounge of the Palace, located in inner courtyard.


Copyright Kris_Kumar@flickr


Copyright Discoverkerala

The Aerial shot of the inner courtyard and surrounding Bldgs

Copyright Kris_Kumar@flickr

The 350 year old Clock Tower, designed by Dutch Engineers. The clock is still working and gives out an alarm, exactly at 6:00 AM and PM as per the tradition of sunrise and sunset alarms followed in Travancore


Copyright Daphnis Kieffer@flickr


Copyright Harikesh

The 4 storied Tower House, houses the main room for the Maharajas as well as the prayer room. The King can get a prefect sight of the surroundings from the windows


Copyright deepgoswami@flickr

The Grand Mantrashala (Durbar Hall) of Padmanabhapuram Palace. The most beautiful hall ever designed in Kerala. The Hall is designed to utmost cooling by laying down Floor with a unique ayurvedic mixture coating along with rosewood and sandal wood roofing and Mica glass. All the seats are made of rosewood with a secret coating of spices. The King's throne is made very simple, following the Travancore's tradition of keeping the King as Dasa (Servant) of Lord Padmanabha.


Copyright Daphnis Kieffer@flickr


Copyright Kris Kumar@flickr

The Throne


Copyright Enchantingkerala.org

image hosted on flickr


The Spice Bed for Maharaja, made out of 21 various spices coated over a Sandalwood made cot, which gives utmost herbal pleasure and rejuvenation to the Kings.


Copyright Wikipedia

The 600 year old Horse-man lamp is an extremely rare piece of antique


Copyright Wikipedia

The Entry Gate to Padmanabhapuram Fort, inside which the Palace is located


Copyright Kris Kumar@flickr


Copyright Kris Kumar@flickr

The complete Palace Map of the Palace and the Fort

Copyright Trivandrumonline

Thanks