GOD'S OWN COUNTRY - Exploring the Sacral and Domestic Architecture of Kerala
- Malika Vaidya
- Jun 27, 2021
- 5 min read
The architecture of God’s Own Country is an exemplary example of the preservation of the Vernacular style. Shaped by Vedic architectural science and its geographical location, the architecture of Kerala has a strong and distinctive presence in the Indian subcontinent. The sacral and domestic architecture is shaped by the presence of western ghats and the Arabian sea.
TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE
The temple architecture of Kerala is unique and unmatched by any other region of India. The temples feature a steeply sloping roof compared to the Dravidian style of temples prevalent in South India. The temples in the region underwent phases of evolution in their stylistic development. The first phase was the rock-cut temples. They were reminiscent of Buddhist cave temples in form. These temples seem to be a continuation of work similar to the ones in Tamil Nadu.
The second phase consists of the structural temples. Patronized by the Chera, Ay, and Mushika chieftains these spans the 8th to 10th centuries. The temples have a unitary shrine or srikovil, an ardhamandapa, and a detached namaskara mandapa built in front of the shrine. A quadrangular building called nalambalam enclosing the above forms the basic plan of the Kerala temple.
The middle phase saw the emergence of temples characterized by the sandhara shrine. it is a cell having twin wells leaving a passage between them. There are also four functional doors in the axis of the cardinal points. These provide a subdued light in the passage. This phase also sees the emerging concept of the storeyed temple.
The last phase of stylistic development saw greater complexity in the temple layout. The palisade structure fixed with rows of oil lamps known as vilakkumadam was added as an outer ring beyond the nalambalam. A lamp post and flag mast called deepastambham and dwajasthambham respectively were added in this phase. The phase culminated in the concept of composite shrines cloistered in the temple complex. The complex also contains temple tanks, water bodies. And, a theatre hall is known as koothambalam which is a unique edifice of Kerala architecture.
The most important and distinct feature of temple architecture in Kerala is the construction technique using a dimensional standardisation. This system has ensured uniformity in the architectural style irrespective of the scale of construction or geographical distribution.
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
The spread of Islam in Kerala can be traced through the migration of new groups from the Arabian Peninsula. And the gradual conversion of the native population of Kerala. The mosque architecture of Kerala does not exhibit the features of the Arabic style or those of Indo-Islamic architecture. This is because the local Hindu artisans carried out construction work on the mosque. They had Hindu temples as the only models for places of worship. Thus, the early mosques in Kerala resemble the traditional building of the region. The typical arch form is absent in most cases. And, the roof structure is similar in style to the temple roof seen in the region.
The unique style of mosque architecture of Kerala is not found anywhere else in the world. The old mosques have austere architectural features different from the ornately designed mosques in Indo-Islamic style. The Arabic tradition of simplicity has combined itself with the indigenous construction technique to give rise to a unique style of Islamic architecture.
CHURCH ARCHITECTURE
The evolution of church architecture in Kerala can be traced to two sources – the Syrian Christians and the missionary work of European settlers. The churches found in the region are a fusion of East Syriac Chaldean and the temple architecture of Kerala. The church has a gable roof extending to the chancel with the sacristy by its side. A tower over the chancel soars higher than the roof of the nave similar to a shikhara of a temple. Wood carvings and mural paintings are adopted as decorative media, similar to temples, for these ancient churches. The residence of the priest and the parish hall is on the side of the church while the cemetery lies on the other side.
The Portuguese were the first to introduce the European style of church architecture in Kerala. Innovations such as the removal of the tower above the altar and images of saints made of wood were introduced by them. Erection of Pulpits, ornamentation of altarpieces, and painting of ceilings and walls in the style of European masters was done. Also, pointed and rounded arches along with stained glass windows were introduced. The St.Francis CSI Church, Fort Kochi was the first church of this type built by the Franciscan missionaries in 1510 AD in India.
The British period saw subsequent development in church architecture in Kerala. The rectangular Basilican plan was introduced which provided better visibility of the altar and was popular at the time. External features saw the Roman dome at the center of the transept, imparting a classic European form. The introduction of typical features of European church architecture made the whole composition completely different from the native one. The Palayam church at Thiruvananthapuram and the church of Our Lady of Dolorous at Thrissur are some examples of the European style.
JEWISH ARCHITECTURE
The maritime trade links of Kerala promoted contact with maritime nations such as Israel, Rome, Arabia, and China before the dawn of the Christian era. The cultural contact of Jews with Kerala predates the time of Solomen. By the 15th century, there were Jewish settlements in Kodungallur, Kochi, and other coastal towns. The most important Jewish settlement is at Kochi near the Mattancherry Palace. The residential buildings are different in the planning concept. But resemble the typical residential style of the region in their external appearance. The rooms on the ground floor are used as shops while the first floor is planned as living rooms. The adjoining buildings are in the pattern of row houses with the front of the building opening towards the street.
The synagogue is an important historic monument of the Jew town. It is a simple tall structure with a sloping tile roof. It has a rich interior with hand-painted tiles from China and ancient chandeliers from Europe. The significant presence of the community since ancient times in the region did not influence the architecture of Kerala.
DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
The domestic architecture of Kerala follows the style of a detached building. A typical Kerala house is a courtyard type – Nalukettu, in its most evolved form. The basic plan of the house consists of a central courtyard enclosed on four sides by rooms for different activities. The base is topped with a ribbed roof evolved from functional consideration. The long, steep sloping roof built to withstand the heavy monsoon forms the most distinctive feature of Kerala architecture. The roof is supported on a frame made of hardwood and timber. The frame is supported on the pillars and walls erected on a raised plinth.
An important science developed indigenously in Kerala is the Thachu -Shastra. It is the science of carpentry. The easy availability of timber and heavy use of it played an important role in its development. The Vastu system also played an important role in developing the architectural style of Kerala. The systems underlying belief that "every structure built on the earth has its own life, soul, and personality which is shaped by its surroundings", has helped in evolving the architecture of Kerala. And presenting its own distinctive flavor to the world.
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