Architecture of Kerala

[mohammedirshad06]

Kerala Architecture



This thread is to discuss and share pictures of architecture styles of Kerala. This includes individual houses, public structures etc. Kindly focus more on pics, including structure plans and its details

[mohammedirshad06]

From Wikipedia

Kerala architecture is a kind of architectural style that is mostly found in Indian state of Kerala and all the architectural wonders of kerala stands out to be ultimate testimonials for the ancient vishwakarma sthapathis of kerala. Kerala's style of architecture is unique in India, in its striking contrast to Dravidian architecture which is normally practiced in other parts of South India. The architecture of Kerala has been influenced by Dravidian and Indian Vedic architectural science (Vastu Shastra) over two millennium. The Tantrasamuchaya, Thachu-Shastra, Manushyalaya-Chandrika and Silparatna are important architectural sciences, which have had a strong impact in Kerala Architecture style. The Manushyalaya-Chandrika, a work devoted to domestic architecture is one such science which has its strong roots in Kerala.

The architectural style has evolved from Kerala’s peculiar climate and long history of influences of its major maritime trading partners like Chinese, Arabs and Europeans.

The characteristic regional expression of Kerala architecture results from the geographical, climatic and historic factors. Geographically Kerala is a narrow strip of land lying in between western seaboard of peninsular India and confined between the towering Western Ghats on its east and the vast Arabian sea on its west. Favoured by plentiful rains due to Monsoon and bright sunshines, this land is lush green with vegetation and rich in animal life. In the uneven terrain of this region human habitation is distributed thickly in the fertile low-lands and sparsely towards the hostile highlands. Heavy rains have brought in presence of large water bodies in form of lakes, rivers, backwaters and lagoons. The climatic factors thus made its significant contributions in developing the architecture style, to counter wettest climatic conditions coupled with heavy humidity and harsh tropical summers.

History also played its own contributions to the Kerala architecture. The towering Western Ghats on its east, has successfully prevented influences of neighboring Tamil countries into present day Kerala in later times. While Western Ghats isolated Kerala to a greater extent from Indian empires, the exposure of Arabian sea on its east brought in close contacts between the ancient people of Kerala with major maritime civilizations like Chinese, Egyptians, Romans, Arabs etc. The Kerala’s rich spice cultivations brought it center of global maritime trade until modern periods, helping several international powers to actively engage with Kerala as a trading partners. This helped in bring in influences of these civilizations into Kerala architecture

[mohammedirshad06]

Contemporary Kerala Architecture Houses

[sanjupalayat]

COOL

[Malayaali]

CIAL designed on Kerala Architecture

[mohammedirshad06]

Padipura



One of most key feature traditional Kerala house, is Padipura or Gate House.

Unlike gates, most of traditional houses features a Padippura or Gate House, which has a covered roofing with ability to accommodate one or two people within it. In traditional feudal set-up where casteism was a factor, people of lower castes are not allowed inside main mansions of feudal lords. Hence they need to wait at the gate. The covered facility along with seating facility accommodates them while the representatives can talk with the lords.

In addition, such gate houses provide security arrangements.

Today, Gate Houses or Padippura have emerged as a key feature of many modern villas as part of gates to provide a Kerala Identity.



image hosted on flickr

[mohammedirshad06]

Mana/Illam



In Kerala, the traditional domestic architecture is highly bound two guiding treatises, The Vastushastra and The Thachushastra.

Under its guidance, the residences of each community varies as per customs and traditions associated with the community. The generic name of each community's residence thus varies.

The residence of Kerala Brahmins or Nampoothiris are known as Manas or Illams. The entire joint family, resides in one large Illam or Mana, which many have multiple clusters of divisions for each family. Unlike other Kerala societies, Nampoothiris are Patrilineal. This is the only community in Kerala, that observed Veil system for its ladies, hence all such features are infused its architecture.

Invariably, Illams have all canons of Nalukettus structure to be associated. A Nalukettu is any housing structure built around a courtyard and such houses are key feature of Kerala Domestic architecture. Nalukettu means 4 structures, meaning 4 independent structures connected by a large courtyard.

Every Nalukettu invariably features Kizhakkini (eastern part), Thekkini (south), Padinhaatti (west) and Vadukkini (north), as seperate structures, each meant for specific purposes as per Vastu traditions. In addition all Nalukettus features Pathayapura (Granary), Kullam (Pond), Kadavu (Bathing Ghats), Chayapura (Servants Quarters) etc.

However Mana features some more additional features

1. 'Natasaala' & 'Poomukham' (Drawing Room) - Place to receive persons of all castes who have no 'Theendal or Caste barrier

2. 'Padinjattithara' (The western wing of quadrangular type of house) - Place to receive respected persons and serve them meals.

3. 'Deenamuri' (Sick Room) - Room for sick male members.

4. 'Vadukkini' (The northern part) - Place to do rituals like 'Oupaasanam', 'Sraadham', etc.

5. 'Meladukkala' - Day-to-day dinner hall for Namboothiris.

6. Room used by ladies at the time of menses.

7. 'Kalavara' (Store room) - Room to store Rice, Coconut Oil, Coconuts, etc.

8. 'Paathrakkalavara' (Vessel store room) - Room to store vessels which are not in daily use.

9. 'Puthanara' (New chamber) - Room to store pickles and keep luggage of Antharjanams.

10. 'Vadakke Akam' - Labour Room

11. 'Vadakke Kett' - Lunch hall for Namboothiris for noon meals.

12. 'Cheriya Meladukkala' or 'Thundanadukkala' - Dinner hall for Antharjanams or Ladies

13. 'Sreelaakam' - Worship Room

14. 'Morakam' - Kitchen store room to keep buttermilk, etc.

15. 'Adukkala' - Kitchen

16. 'Kizhakke Kett' ('Vadakketh') - Dinner hall for Nair Ladies and visiting ladies

17. 'Kizhakke Kett' ('Thekketh') - Dinner hall for Namboothiris on special occassions.

18. 'Oottupura' - Place to prepare feast on special occasions.