bio climatic architecture

Vernacular Architecture – Changing Paradigms A Case Study of Agraharams in Palakkad

Ar. Priya Sasidharan Measi Academy of Architecture, Chennai

Introduction Vernacular Architecture is the art of the truth of the inhabitants of a region. “It is the architecture without architects” (Arboleda). The traditional, ethnic and innate approach to the building up of  spaces dons the title of vernacular – specific and critical to a region. India presents a plethora of  culture, vernacular diversity and a stunning panorama of arts and crafts. The indelible mark of  identity has been etched by the vernacular artifacts and spaces typical of the traditional communities of India. The indigenous architecture responds to the vagaries in climate, blends with the topography, vibrate the cultural trends, lifestyle, spiritual and religious parameters. These illustrative examples speak the language of skill and craftsmanship, appreciation of culture, respect to local materials and methods of the building science. Context “Vernacular Architecture” may be simply defined as “the architectural languages of the people”, but in the Encyclopedia the  Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World  Worl d  a more detailed definition, namely that it “comprises the dwellings and all other buildings of the people. Related to their environmental contexts and available resources, they are customarily built utilizing traditional technologies. All forms of vernacular architecture are built to meet specific needs, accommodating the values, economies and ways of living of the cultures that produce them” (Paul Oliver)

Existing examples of vernacular accomplishments of the glorious past are history frozen in time. These stand as the pillars of faith and the answers to the question of identity. The vernacular of a region exhibits the potential of the community in organizing spaces, evolving a strong architectural  base and enriching lives through their socio-cultural manifestations. Thus the central cent ral factor of every settlement is the culture and socio – economics. The overwhelming response to adopting the tenets of globalization, entering the stream of  urbanization and absorbing westernized concepts have greatly endangered the ethnic vernacular of  India. Modernism without a keen sense of adaptation to changes and conscious respect to innate regional architecture has been spelling unbridled transition leading to steady decline of settlements that have evolved the language of traditional architecture. The cause and course of the changes, the gradual transformation leading to a catastrophic metamorphosis needs to be understood and documented to take charge of the current situation and delve into measures of effective conservation  – an initiative to the treasuring treasu ring of vernacular vernacula r identity. Study Area Palakkad is one of the fourteen revenue districts of Kerala and is the land of palmyrahs and Paddy fields. It is often called as the "gateway of Kerala as the district opens the State to the rest of the country through the Palakkad gap."Rice bowl of Kerala" is the synonym for Palakkad. Palakkad Town, the administrative headquarters of the Palakkad District, is a beautiful town located at the foothills of the mighty Western Ghats, in Kerala. It is just 21 km away from Kerala state's border  with Tamil Nadu. Palakkad derived its name from the words: pala (tree) and kadu (forest), indicating that this place was once a thick forest covered with the sweet scented flowers of the pala trees. Historical Background Steeped in history, Palakkad has had settlements from the Paleolithic age; a fact substantiated by the discovery of megalithic relics from this region. The mass migration of Tamil Brahmins to Kerala 6 or 

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7 centuries ago was triggered by several factors pertaining to the Muslim invasion, restructuring of  the territorial limits and the continuous drought over many years in the Kaveri Delta. The first village to be established was perhaps Sekharipuram, which could have been named after  Raja Sekhara Varma of Palakkad as a token of gratitude. The acclaimed village of Kalpathy has also  been recorded as a forerunner (K.V. Krishna Iyer). Palakkad Kings had their own reasons to welcome and settle these Brahmins in their area with a hidden strategy of breaking the hegemony and the authority that the Namboodiri Brahmins held sway. There was a relentless hostility between the Palakkad rulers and the Namboodiris relating to a royal marriage feud with the tribal community. It is interesting to note that some of these Palakkad Kings bore tribal names such as Itikombi Achan, Pankunni Achan, Unnalachan, Kombi Achan etc. (Ajit Krishnan) The Tamil Brahmins who migrated from Tanjore, Trichy, Vaitheeswaran Koil, Needamangalam, Kandarmanickam, Mangudi, Satyamangalam and other areas established a number of Agraharams which gradually grew to about 96 with each agraharam established with a temple as the focal element. The region of Palakkad was annexed by Hyder Ali in the 18th century after which it became the part of the East India Company’s empire during the colonial regime. Palakkad is home to nearly 96 agraharams in the district and nearly 18 within the town with an evident fusion in language, culture and architecture of the Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Agraharams  Agaro harscha harischa, the meaning is temple on either side defines the colony of Brahmins residing place as the one where Temples are located on either side of the locality. A garland of  houses was the simplest synonym to an agraharam. The word could also be interpreted as a grant of  land given by the kings (to Brahmanas) for sustenance. These pieces of land were granted generally on the banks of rivers where the Brahmins built row houses (two rows facing each other) with the upper end culminating in a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva (Sriparasukhanandanadha, P.K. Ramakrishnan)

Agraharam has also been cited as a word of mixed origin with the Sanskrit part agra meaning first, foremost, fore runner and the Tamil part being akaram which relates to either a house or a settlement. Thus an agraharam could be translated as a collection or a grouping of houses or a community or a settlement with the temple being the central crux with the houses around it literally forming the first and the most important segment. Agraharams of Palakkad The agraharams of the Palakkad villages, from the earliest at Shekaripuram, the largest at Kalpathy with the old and the new settlements, the compact Nurani to the smaller ones such as Lakshminarayanapuram, Kumarapuram, and Tarakad unfolds a rich spectrum of a mixed vernacular  that shares the potentials of 2 great cultures. Some of the noteworthy gramams were Chandrasekaharapuram or CSPuram which grew on the lands donated by the Namboodiris has just a single street of around 80 houses and agricultural lands, Nelllitherai Gramam had more of Otta Madhoms and the Oattuperai gramam had more of tiled houses (Oatu = Tile) and hence the name. Chembai, another quaint agraharam revels on the music and culture that emanated from these settlements (Kerala Brahmana Sabha, Palakkad). Origin Originating from South India, the Iyers were initially confined to the state of Tamil Nadu and later  they migrated and settled down in various parts of Kerala. They integrated and adapted themselves to their newfound territory and consciously created an identity of their own – popularly categorized as Palakkad Brahmins, Palakkad Iyers or Pattars as in Kerala. Occupation Primarily agrarian, these Agraharams were the rice bowl of the state of Kerala. Farming on the lands given by the royal family was the tradition that was followed in the past, later the lands were leased 300

out (kanam – a lease of 12 years) to the labour class on the basis of paattam (leasing method). Some of the Iyers who migrated were not rich but were essentially businessmen and with the patronage of  the rulers, and good relationships with rich merchants their trade flourished and to aid their trading activities they evolved the establishment of community homes called as Samooha Madam. Socio – Cultural Facets Hinduism being the predominant religion, Kshethrams and Ambalams were built to worship the  presiding deities. The Kaavus (for the serpent worship) and Kovils were dedicated to specific gods. The district also boasts of a glorious cultural tradition with .Koothu, Kathakali, Carnatic music, literature and poetry have a very special mention in these Agraharams. The Vela and the Pooram festival consist of parade of elephants, and the sounding of the traditional orchestra with the  panchavaadhyam (5 musical instruments). The Arat festival, Kalpathy Radholsavam and the Manappullikavu Vela are a part and parcel of the religious fervor typical to this area. These festivals mark the coming together of the people from all the nearby villages, a sign of communal interaction. Form and Pattern The form of these agraharams could be understood as a derivative of a grid pattern, with the temple forming the main focus. The row of houses (tube houses) is either single or 2 storied with the traditional pitched roof striking a significant profile against the sky – the imageability context. The car street (therveedhi) facilitates the chariot festival (ratholsavam, ratha=chariot, utsavam=festival) with the main streets being wide enough for the religious activity. Linear in organisation, the culmination point being the temple as the early settlements were by the priests who were Vedic scholars who attached themselves to the religious activities. The temple tank forms an interactive community space with the Peepal tree (sthalavriksham) forming another focal element. Spatial Organisation The house of the Brahmins perfectly fits the laws of linear organisation with a clear demarcation of  spaces as public, semi-public and private areas. The porch (thinnai) forms the semi public space – a transition from the public arena (theruvu – street) to the realms of the habitable space – the house. The arai, is the store and the pathayam (granary) or the grain store is a take – off from the Kerala style. Primarily being an agricultural community where the Brahmins were land owners the spatial organisation of the house reflects the occupation and the religious relevance .The house was organized around a courtyard with rooms around – typ ical offshoot from the illams and tharavads of  Kerala. The sunken portions were classified as the thalvaram and conversely the raised areas in the house were broadly categorized as the melvaram. The upper storeys were the machi (on top).

From the verandah, there was a long, narrow passage leading to the interiors, on one side of which would be the grain store (pathayam) below which was the nilavara or the nilavarakundu, the place of  storage of valuable assets. This then led to a large hall (koodam) with an open area (nadumittam) which was a feature similar to the courtyard. The rooms (aria) were attached to the hall which was then followed by the kitchen (adukalai) which finally culminated in another open space (mittam) which completed the typology of an onaamkettu (first stage) house. The affluent had the second stage (rendaamkettu) which included a semi covered area for the cattle and the rear yard (kollai) with the toilets. The concept of bathrooms was unheard of as the village  ponds (kulam), streams (ozhukku) and the rivers (puzha) facilitated the purpose. The well was located in the open space near the kitchen or at the rear end (Kerala Iyers Trust) Climatic and Social Connotations The pitched roofs with the broad eaves were typically employed in design to shed off the rainwater, and the grain store area was included to stock the food grains for an entire year in lieu of the heavy monsoons in Kerala. The nilavara was designed to safeguard the precious assets in the wake of  wealth brought in through trade activities. The entire unit was kept symmetrical about an axis to aid the sharing and division of spaces across the main hall for the joint family members. The concept of  the central open space served the purpose of bringing in the light, ventilation and the draining of rain 301

water to the exteriors or to the well for adequate recharge. The whole exercise of architecture was an energy efficient, eco- conscious and a scientific technique that these inhabitants had followed. Changing Equations Rural Societies have enumerated a lot of forces and factors of change pertaining to natural, technological, socio-cultural and economic (A.R. Desai).

The village typology of these Agraharams could be categorized as the scholastic, prominent and the first gramam under the patronage of the Palakkad rulers. This strong foothold in history is slowly  being vanquished by the ravages of modern times. Though the agraharams retain much of their  original character, the spatial organization of the newly grown offshoots, outgrowths, facades and interior spaces have changed with time. Adaptive manifestations are the new, transformed face of these agraharams. Regionalism is the critical language of the agraharam, but with technological interventions and urbanisation spreading its tentacles, rows of apartments, modern houses, additional storeys echo the constant change. Societal Changes Originally, these Agraharams housed only Brahmins, but today, some of the Brahmin settlers have shifted elsewhere, many of the younger generation having migrated after selling their homes to nonBrahmins. The tradition and culture fostered is now seeing a mixed eclectism.

The complete change from the joint family to the nuclear family system has its effects in the  partitioning of the property with the huge houses being divided by a common wall that ran across through the main hall. The transformation of each subdivided unit then saw the closure of the courtyard, reduced lighting and ventilation, and an expansion on the linear front. Agriculture being leased out to the other communities has seen a healthy exchange and a communal harmony and coexistence of various communities in close proximity – a welcome change on the social front. Spatial Changes Dwindling agriculture and the avenues being opened for salaried employment, the spaces that had once been designed exclusively as a grain store has been converted to a store room. Toilets are still not inside the main house, but located in the rendaam kettu (second section) and while many are not  being used, additional toilets have been diligently attached to the external wall The backyards wear a deserted look with either the removal of the cow shed or relocation or has aided in the expansion of  the house or activities related to house hold industries like pickle making, bottling etc. Vernacular The pitched roofs, ornamental brackets, columns of the thinnai have been seeing shades of changes with grilles enclosing the thinnai for security reasons, sloping roofs being replaced by the flat roofs with a variety of precast concrete motifs forming the parapet. The humble profile that these gramams (villages) etched against the sky has a few jarring contrasts. The complete neglect of traditional techniques of construction and materials that once harmonized the entire settlement sees an ensemble  pertaining to availability of local materials and modern techniques. Identity Elements and spaces that rendered Imageability, character and style to these agraharams needs to be explored in the current scenario as they are no longer evident. The sthalavriksham (sacred tree), Kaavus (habitat of the serpent gods) have rapidly declined in terms of the territoriality. The public wells – a key community interactive utility have been totally left have been rendered non-functional. The dwajasthambam of the temple stills holds reign to the settlement with the heights of the houses rising only upto the line of control specified by this vertical element. The Vedic schools (Vedhapaatashala) have lost its ethnic charm and the settlements are caught in the quagmire of  change

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The New Paradigm While all conservation, preservation and heritage tourism plans are on a reactive stand, a proactive, comprehensive package that would embrace all the potential villages that spell vernacular needs to be implemented. Conscious efforts need to be incorporated to generate self maintaining economic stability, self sustaining powers and community involvement in a holistic manner which itself takes care of the sustenance factor. The involvement of the community to safeguard its assets prevents violation and instills a keen sense of respect and ardor towards heritage issue.

The Government spearheads the conservation activities by introducing heritage walk, preserving the agraharams, a tour of the arts and crafts sectors of these villages on the lines of promoting tourism (G.Prabjakaran). The need to promote the ethnic craftsmanship, introduce a centre that displays the information related to these historical settlements, promotes and imparts knowledge on the architecture and going a step further, even trains the community to imbibe the energy efficient techniques and scientific values would further strengthen the conservation mechanism. Policies and guidelines have to be evolved with a clear understanding of the community and its inhabitants and should be drafted with the futuristic aim of retaining the vernacular and paving way for constructive changes that would enhance the total environment where the past, present and the future would be cited in harmony and speak the v ernacular language. Change being a constant, the approach, the new paradigm is to allow changes without disturbing the glories of the past. A two pronged approach to preserving posterity and allowing the modern  proliferations with restraint should dictate the future growth of these areas. The new facet to conservation needs to be a two pronged approach which could be interpreted as a style, a technique, a tool or just as a philosophy. But the future has to spell policies and regulations for the development of new buildings which aggressively seeks to re-connect their design, construction, materials and technology in consonance with the environment. The new paradigm should promote a new vernacular for the changing times that stand out for  sustainability and highlight architecture that blends, absorbs and adapts. Works Cited Arboleda, Gabriel. “Architecture without Architects” Berkeley.CA, .Nov 9-2004. http//www.ethnoarchitecture.com Desai A.R, “Rural Sociology in India”.Popular Prakashan. 2005. Iyer Krishna K.V. “The Brahmins of Kerala” . Mathrubhumi. 1962. Krishnan Ajit, “History of Kalpathy Heritage Village”, Palakkad Tourism Forum Index, Oct30-2005, http//www.mudgala.com/kalpathy Oliver Paul, “Shelter and Society - Vernacular Architecture in its Cultural Contexts”, General Studies Lectures, Engineering Towards Development and Change, University of Addis Ababa, Faculty of Technology, May 2007. Prabjakaran G, “Preserving Kalpathy”. The Hindu (National Newspaper).Nov.25-2005. Venu. “District Handbooks of Kerala – Palakkad”. Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Kerala. Feb 2003. Kerala Brahmana Sabha - Palakkad.”KBS Palakkad Organisation”. http//www.kbspalakkad.org Sashibhooshan M G. and Sashibhooshan Bindu. “Quaint Charm”.The Hindu (National Newspaper) Feb.23 – 2004. Kerala Iyers Trust - Net Samooham. “Welcome to Kerala Iyers.com”. Powered by Drupal, http.www.keralaiyers.com Sriparasukhanandanadha, P.K. Ramakrishnan, “Sanskrit – Request”., Sanskrit The Mail Archive,. Sanskrit Digest.Vol.23.Issue 18.Feb 25-2005.

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 NURANI Agraharam

C.S. PURAM Agraharam

CHEMBAI Agraharam

 Mana

Vela (Festival)

 Kaavu (Serpent Shrine)

 Roof (Uttaram)

Courtyard (Mittam)

Column (Thoon)

The Changing scenario…..  AGRAHARAMS – AN OVERVIEW 

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 LOCATION 

 NURANI AGRAHARAM 

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ORGANISATION AND ARTICULATION OF SPACES  (Houses in an Agraharam)

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 ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS 

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 Entrance Gateway

Store &Granary

Guest House

 Kulam

Kudumba Kshetram(Temple)

Mana – Residence

Service Block 

Shrine (Kaavu)

SPATIAL ORGANISATION  (Mana)

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 Parapet 

Serpent Motif 

Serpent – variations

Column - Capital 

 Floral Motif 

Ceiling 

 Door – Band

Door - Handle

Column - Base

 Motifs and Ornamentation

 ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS  (Specific to the MANA)

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