Traditional architecture of kerala

The traditional architecture of Kerala: Geographic location, influences, historic structures, plans, Vastu shastra, Characteristic features, temple architecture, materials, etc.

1. Traditional Architecture of K erala

2. Geographic location Kerala is classified as a hot and humid state in accordance to climatic conditions.

3. Geographical Isolation of Kerala The relative isolation of Kerala from the mainland of India in the east, and the long open coast on the west had strong influences on the culture of Kerala .

4. Influences :- Kerala had become the global centre for maritime trade was exposed to the outer world through its spice trade. China Rome Arabia Buddhism and Jainism

5. First structures of architectural significance: (before 300 B.C.) 1)Rock-cut tomb cells 2)Megaliths

6. The circular temples basically follow the shapes of the Buddhist stupas , the dome shaped mounds.

7. Plans of Temple-Architecture in Kerala. Reminiscence to chaitya hall plans can be observed.

8. Vasthu-shastra in Kerala Architecture The science of Vastu plays a very important role in developing architecture styles. The basic concept underlines that, every structure built on earth has its own life, with a soul and personality which is shaped by its surroundings . The Tantra-samuchaya , Thachu-Shastra , Manushyalaya-Chandrika and Silparatna are important architectural sciences, which have had a strong impact in Kerala Architecture .

9. Thantra-Samuchayam and Sliparatnam . Thantra-Samuchayam deals in developing structures that regulates energy flows so that positive energy flows in, while negative energy do not trend to remain retarded within the structure. Whereas, Sliparatnam deals in developing stone and timber architecture in such manner that each carved structure imbibe a life and personality of its own .

10. Thachu-shastra The most important science which Kerala has developed purely indigenously is Thachu-Shastra (Science of Carpentry) because of the easily available timber and its heavy use. The concept of Thachi underlines that as timber is derived from a living form, the wood, when used for construction, has its own life which must be synthesized in harmony with its surroundings and people whom dwell inside it.

11. Characteristic features of Kerala-Architecture: Torana at temple sites. Roofs. Temple architecture. Domestic Architecture. Use of materials.

12. The Torana Torana at a temple site in south India. The Torana around the temple shrines in Kerala is probably a Buddhist motif adopted in Hindu style. Buddhist Torana

13. Possible influences: Japanese Torii Mukteswara temple at Bhubaneshwar

14. Roofs of Kerala Architecture: A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of intersecting roof pitches. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system used, which reflects climate, material availability, and aesthetic concerns.

15. A Nalukettu (courtyard house)

16. The sagging feature of roofs: The weight of the rafters and the roof covering created a sag in the ridge when the ridge piece was made of flexible materials like bamboo. This sage however remained as the hall-mark of roof construction even when strong timber was used for the roof frame.

17. Temple Architecture: Elements and features of Kerala Temple include: Sri- Kovil : The inner sanctum sanctorum where the idol of presiding deity is installed and worshiped. Namaskara Mandapam : The Namaskara mandapam is a square shaped pavilion with a raised platform, a set of pillars and a pyramidal roof. The Mandapams are used to conducting Vedic- Thantric rites .

18. Nalambalam : The shrine and the mandapa building are enclosed in a rectangular structure called the Nalambalam . Balithara : At the entrance of Nalambalam , a square shaped raised stone altar called as Balithara can be seen. This altar is used to make ritualistic offerings to demi-gods and other spirits. Thevarapura : Normally within Nalambalam , a separate complex will be constructed for cooking foods meant to serve for the deity and distribution among devotees as holy prasadam

19. Chuttuambalam : The outer spaces within the temple walls, is known as Chuttuambalam . Ambala-Kulam : Every temple will have a sacred temple pond or water lake located within temple complex. As per Vastu -rules, water is considered as source of positive energy and synthesis balance of all energies.

20. Peruvanam temple. The Namaskara Mandapam , Nalambalam and the Chuttuambalam can be seen in the picture above.

21. Thazhathangady Juma Masjid in Kerala.

22. Miskal Mosque The Miskal Mosque has three- storeyed gabled roofs with windows which offers an alternative to minarets used by the ‘Muezzin’, in traditional Kerala style.

23. Kadamatom Church The Kadamattom Church in Kolencherry near Muvattupuzha is one of the oldest churches in Kerala, built in Kerala-architecture style.

24. Domestic Architecture: There are five types of traditional domestic architecture or Veedu in Kerala, namely: The wretched humble house : unknown by any building treatise of Kerala, belongs to ordinary folks and tribal people/ adivasis . The Ekasala , an I-shaped single rectangular hall house, belongs to farmers or middle-class nonfarmers ; The Nalukettu , a courtyard house, belongs to landlords The great mansion :- Ettuketu and Patinjarukettu (double ettukettu ) or much bigger structures, belong to very rich Landlords. C ommoner houses are simple ordinary houses scattered abundantly in the cities and villages .

25. The Nālukettu Nālukettu is the traditional homestead of Tharavadu where many generations of a matrilineal family lived. The traditional architecture is typically a rectangular structure where four blocks are joined together with a central courtyard open to the sky. The four halls on the sides are named Vadakkini (northern block), Padinjattini (western block), Kizhakkini (eastern block) and Thekkini (southern block).

26. Use of Materials: The natural building materials available for construction in Kerala are stones, timber, clay and palm leaves. Granite is a strong and durable building stone; however its availability is restricted mostly to the highlands and only marginally to other zones. Owing to this, the skill in quarrying, dressing and sculpturing of stone is scarce in Kerala.

27. Laterite on the other hand is the most abundant stone found as outcrops in most zones. Soft laterite available at shallow depth can be easily cut, dressed and used as building blocks. It is a rare local stone which gets stronger and durable with exposure at atmospheric air . Laterite blocks may be bonded in mortars of shell lime, which have been the classic binding material used in traditional buildings . Lime mortar can be improved in strength and performance by admixtures of vegetable juices.

28. Timber is the prime structural material abundantly available in many varieties in Kerala – from bamboo to teak . Perhaps the skillful choice of timber, accurate joinery, artful assembly and delicate carving of wood work for columns, walls and roofs frames are the unique characteristics of Kerala architecture. Clay was used in many forms – for walling, in filling the timber floors and making bricks and tiles after pugging and tempering with admixtures. Palm leaves were used effectively for thatching the roofs and for making partition walls.

29. Terracotta tiles Terracotta, terra cotta or terra-cotta (Italian: "baked earth ", from the Latin terra cocta ), a type of earthenware, is a clay-based unglazed or glazed ceramic, where the fired body is porous . The use of these tiles have reduced but is a part of the traditional architecture of Kerala.