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About kerala
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Kerala Architecture
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Because of the
peculiar geographical features that the nature has bestowed
upon it, Kerala is isolated from the rest of the country
This isolation is reflected in the myriad art forms that
have evolved here over the centuries. Elsewhere in India,
the inspiration for human beings for art manifested in the
architectural marvels of the rock cut temples or in the
magnificent murals of Ajanta or Ellora caves. But here in
Kerala man found his own body as a supreme medium for
artistic expression. Koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu are
presented as mono acts in the early style of Sanskrit plays.
Krishnanattam, Ramanattam and Kathakali are other forms of
art which took birth in places of worship. Temples have also
been the centres of artistic expressions. There was a rich
variety of graphic and performing arts. The engravings on
temples were painted, but unlike in Tamil Nadu, they were
painted in single colours. Pre-historic paintings on the
walls of the caves at Edakkal near Sultan Battery resemble
those of the 17th century dynasty of Egypt..
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Kerala’s,
architecture can enthrall visitors with glimpses of symbolic
and ancient forms that are institutional throughout South
Asia. The royal palaces and temples of Kerala are entirely
indigenous in nature, and they present a building tradition
(padipura) that is born of climatic settings (the steeply
sloping roofs are rain resistant). Baked clay tiles have
been used to cover almost every kind of building in Kerala
since the 19th century,. These tiles are either of the
rectangular and interlocking kind or of the flatter and
rounder type popularly called Dutch tiles (as seen in
Mattancherry). Wooden struts are often placed as braces
beneath the overhanging roof, as in Nepal, and no roof is
complete until it is capped by at least one kalasa, a
consecrated pot form that is normally encased on copper.
Unlike their north Indian counterparts, these places don't
seem to touch the sky with epic proportions. |
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Most of the
palaces in Kerala have now been converted to museums, hotels
or government offices. No less interesting are the European
residencies that stand halfway between western and native
architecture, and which have now been converted into
government guest houses.
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History of
Kerala
