TRADITIONAL KERALA

Interior design
ARCHITECTURE
history
Thatchu Shasthra, or the Science of Carpentry and
Traditional Vasthu, was the governing science in this
architectural form.

This branch of knowledge was well developed in the

traditional architecture of Kerala and has created its
own branch of literature known under the names
of Tantrasamuchaya, Vastuvidya, Manushyalaya-
Chandrika, and Silparatna.

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

history
Perumthachan also spelled
as "Perunthachan" meaning (the master
carpenter or the master craftsman) is an
honorific title that is used to refer to an
ancient legendary carpenter(Asari), architect,
woodcarver and sculptor from Kerala, India.
However Perumthachan is an important figure
in the folklore of Kerala and many a wondrous
structure and architecture that still stand are
attributed to him.

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Padippura
-structure containing a door forming part of
Compound wall

-tiled roof on top

-formal entry to the compound with the house

- At present the door is not there as car will have

to enter the house through the entry

-traditional type lamp below the roof

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Poomukham
Entrance of the house - climbing up steps in the front

slope tiled roof with pillars supporting roof.

Sides are open

In the earlier days, the Head of the family called Karanavar

used to sit here in a reclining chair

This chair will have long rails on either side where the
Karanavar will keep his legs raised for comfortable rest

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Chuttu verandah
From the Poomukham you can walk
through Chuttu verandah to either
side in front of the house through
open passage called Chuttu
Verandah.

Chuttu verandah will have hanging

lights in equal distance hanging
from its slope roof

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Charupady

By the side of Chuttu

verandah and Poomukham,

woodden benches with

carved decorative resting
woodden pieces for resting
the back are provided.

the family members or

visitors used to sit on these
Charupady to talk

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Ambal Kulam (Pond)
At the end of Chuttu verandah -a small
pond built with rubble on sides

water living tree called Thamara or Ambal

used to be planted which will have
beautiful flowers

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Nadumuttom

Nadumuttom or central open court yard

The enclosed courtyard or 'ankanam' is usually sunk

and therefore called 'Kuzhi (pit) Ankanam'.

The protruding roofs of the 'salas' formed shady

verandas and protected the rooms from direct
sunlight, keeping them cool even on the hottest of
days.

The inner verandah around the 'ankanam' is open

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Chitra thoonukal
Pillars in wood or rubble with carvings or decorative
works

used to add elegance to the Hall portion

Pictures are carved into such pillars of Rubble

In the case of wood pillars generally it is plain round

pillars with polished surface

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Mural paintings
paintings used to adorn old Kerala building
walls.

Generally these paintings depict stories

from epics of India.

Present houses have these paintings as

decorative piece of art and not used
extensively covering all walls as in old houses

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Pooja room
preferably be in the North East corner of the house.

Idols placed facing East and the person praying faces

west

woodden paneling is done on Pooja room walls

a standard design for Pooja room

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Aattu Kattil
-a swinging piece of wood, wide and long enough
for two or three persons to sit.

-Four corners of this wooden piece will be firmly

fixed with thick coir to the roof.

-in large living rooms

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Kindy

-a brass utensil filled with water

-kept at the steps of Poomukham for cleaning feet

of those who enter the house

- one side opening just like a tap so that a person

can easily use it to clean his feet before entering
the house

In present day houses, probably you can see this as

an antique item displayed

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Flooring

clay tiles used for floor of the Kerala House

Wooden flooring

different type of wood in small to slightly big

pieces arranged neatly to give good appearance
with good polishing which last longer is available
for flooring.

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

Interior wood work with carvings

interior wood work done with wood carvings by skilled

artisans.

In the earlier days house was built with wood, brick

and clay tiles.

Content of wood was very high as the cost was not high.

Arappura, Pathayam, Machu (sealing between tiled roof and

Room space) were all done by wood and mostly teak wood.

Verandahs and living halls were having round pillars in

woodof rosewood or teak with decorative carvings on top
and bottom

TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE

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TRADITIONAL KERALA ARCHITECTURE