Payyambalam Beach

I have once written about this beautiful tourist spot in Kerala, Payyambalam Beach. Then it was just mentioned as one of the tourists points in kerala. Last week we went there for a routine weekend outing. And I thought I must share something more about this beautiful beach in particular to you.

It is an emerging hot tourist spot in (God’s own country) Kerala, which  is one of the must seen ten tourists spots in the world. Now the most popular beach in Kerala is Kovalam. I have visited Kovalam twice. I agree, it’s really beautiful. But I think, Payyambalm Beach does have many qualities and features than Kovalam. The first feature that one notice here is its cleanliness and the second one is its calmness and the marvelous sunset.

I hope in the near future Payyambalm will be the hottest beach destiny for the tourists in Kerala. It’s situated in Kannur district, about 3km away from kannur town. You can also have some time pass at the park aside of this beach. But don’t expect much here except one famous sculpture ‘AMMA’, of Great sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman.

A tragic scene

It’s an environmental disaster !!

This is a real example of man’s alacrity; This photo was taken during a usual walk around my village. Actually the scene hurt me a lot. People are unaware of the serious impact of this kind of vigorous exploitation of natural resources. In childhood, I remember that my village was full of hills and Paddy fields. The local names like Panthottam(Garden), Mottammal(Hilly areas), PunchaVayal(Paddy Field) etc itself reflected its geographical richness.  But now all these beautiful scenes are vanishing. Man is encroaching everywhere diverting ‘green nature into brown’. Let me quote the recent comment from the Green Bench, a High Court Bench of my state hearing all environment- related cases, “nature is raped by man” .

Vellattam – Theyyam

Last week we went to one of my colleagues’ house to participate in religious function called Vellattam. Velllattam is a form of Theyyam, a very rich cultural dance or invocation generally performed in front of the village shrines or in the houses in Kerala.

There was no stage or curtain and other arrangements for the performance. When we reached his house the theyyam artist was doing his make up. There are different patterns of face-painting. Mostly primary and secondary colors are applied with contrast for face painting. It had effected certain stylization also.  It was very interesting to see the way he wears his ornaments, which were seen like of a fairy tale.

The dancer along with drummers recites the particular ritual song, which describes the myths and legends of the particular ritual song, which describes the myths, and legends. This performance is a combination of playing of musical instruments, vocal recitation, dance and strange makeup and costumes. The stage-practices of Theyyam and its ritualistic observations make it one of the fascinating theatrical arts of Kerala.

Beautiful Birds from Kerala

It was my wife who made me the habit of watching and reading more on the birds found in Kerala. Actually I was least interested in these types of birds and  didn’t even know the local names of these birds.  My wife has helped me a lot to prepare this post . So let me dedicate this post to my loving wife. To make the post more precise I’ve  filtered the number of  birds to the minimum.

Thattekad Bird Sanctuary in Kerala is one of the world famous birds habitats. It is located in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, occupying an area of 25 sq km.Designed by a famous ornithologist, Dr Salim Ali, the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary is home to a large number of bird species like Bee-eater, Sunbird, Shrike, Black winged Kite, and the Night Heron. Also around 28 species of animals and nine species of reptile can also be spotted in this sanctuary.

The most common birds found around Kerala are Myna, Sandpiper, Blue Kingfisher, Darter, Cattle Egret, Hornbill, Little Green Heron, Spinetail Swift, Emerald Dove, Bluerock Pigeon, Shama, Magpie-Robin, Crow, Indian Treepie, Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo, Lesser Golden-Backed Woodpecker, Koel, Syke’s Crested Lark, Grey Jungle Fowl,  Brown Fish Owl, Pariah Kite, Indian Oriole, Orange Minivet, Weaver Bird, Nilgiri Wrenwarbler, Bulbul, Spotted Dove, Wood Owl, Babbler, Hoopoe.

Myna is one of the most common birds found around Kerala. It is also spelled as Mynah. It’s  scientific name is Acridotheres tristis. It is a species of bird native to Asia with its initial home range spanning from Iran, India and Kazakhstan to Malaysia and China.  The Myna has been introduced in many other parts of the world and its distribution range is on the increase to an extent that in 2000 the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN) declared it as one of the just three birds among the World’s 100 worst invasive species.

The Common Kingfisher also known as Eurasian Kingfisher or River Kingfisher, is a small kingfisher with seven subspecies distributed across Eurasia and North Africa. One of this type is common in Kerala and it’s local name is ‘Ponman’.  This sparrow-sized bird has the typical short-tailed, large-headed kingfisher profile; it has blue upperparts, orange underparts and a long bill. It feeds mainly on fish, caught by diving, and has special visual adaptions to enable it to pursue its prey under water. The glossy white eggs are laid in a nest at the end of a burrow in a riverbank.  If another kingfisher enters its territory, both birds display from perches, and fights may occur, where a bird will grab the other’s beak and try to hold it under water.

‘Kokku’ or Cattle Egret is another common type of bird seen in kerala region. It is a cosmopolitan species of heron (family Ardeidae) found in the tropics, subtropics and warm temperate zones. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Bubulcus, although some authorities regard its two subspecies as full species.   Originally native to parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, it has undergone a rapid expansion in its distribution and successfully colonised much of the rest of the world.

Blue rock pigeon is a familiar slaty grey bird with glistening metallic green, purple and magenta sheen on neck and the upper breast. It has two dark bars on wings and a band across the end of tail. Both the sexes are alike. It can be see in flocks and colonies moving about cliffs and human inhabitations. It feeds on cereals, pulses, groundnuts etc. Their nesting season is undefined. Its nest is a flimsy collection of a few sticks on a ledge or in a fissure or cliff, or on rafters and ceilings of dwelling houses.

Indian Treepie is a common bird found in Kerala slightly smaller than the European Magpie (Pica pica) and has somewhat shorter, more rounded wings and a proportionately longer tail. The bill is shorter and thicker too, and slightly downcurved, and the legs are shorter. The head, neck and breast are a deep slate-grey colour, sometimes slightly brownish. It is extremely agile while searching for food, clinging and clambering through the branches and will sometimes travel in small mixed hunting parties with unrelated species such as drongos and babblers.

The Brahminy Kite also known as the Red-backed Sea-eagle, is a medium-sized bird of prey . They are found primarily in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia.The Brahminy Kite is distinctive and contrastingly coloured, with chestnut plumage except for the white head and breast and black wing tips. The Brahminy Kite is about the same size as the Black Kite and has a typical kite flight, with wings angled, but its tail is rounded unlike the Milvus species, Red Kite and Black Kite, which have forked tails.

Another beautiful bird seen around Kerala is Magpie-Robin, a small passerine bird that was formerly classed as a member of the thrush family Turdidae, but now considered an Old World flycatcher. They are distinctive black and white birds with a long tail that is held upright as they forage on the ground or perch conspicuously. Distributed in many parts of tropical South and Southeast Asia, they are common birds in urban gardens as well as forests. They are particularly well known for their songs and were once popular as cagebirds.This magpie-robin is a resident breeder in tropical southern Asia from Bangladesh, interior India, Sri Lanka and eastern Pakistan east to Indonesia, Thailand, south China and the Philippines.

Onam – The Harvest Festival Of God’s Own Country

is the biggest festival in the Indian state of Kerala.  Onam Festival falls during the Malayali month of Chingam (Aug – Sep).  Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition.  Mythologically it is linked to Malayalee-Hindu folktales; but Onam is celebrated by people of all religions.  Intricately decorated Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, breathtaking Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam – the harvest festival in Kerala. This year Onam is celebrated from 2nd September to 12th .  On this  great occasion the team BinBrain extend Hearty Greetings of coming Onam.

Onam Greetings

Vibrant and joyous festival of Onam is celebrated with lot of zeal in the state of Kerala. Most remarkable feature of this harvest festival is its secular character. People of all caste, communities and religions actively participate with same excitement. Elders in the family convey the good wishes of Onam to the young ones by giving them gifts. Juniors also exchange gifts amongst each other and convey their sincere best wishes for Onam to each other. Now a days people send onam greeting cards and ecards to their dear ones like Christmas New Year seasons. You can send Free Online Greeting Cards to your friends & loved ones from http://www.binbrain.com/photos/ or http://binbrain.com/card/

Story Behind Onam

A long long time ago, an Asura (demon) king called Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise, benevolent and judicious ruler and beloved of his subjects. Soon his fame as an able king began to spread far and wide, but when he extended his rule to the heavens and the netherworld, the gods felt challenged and began to fear his growing powers. Presuming that he might become over-powerful, Aditi, the mother of Devas pleaded with Lord Vishnu to curtail Mahabali’s powers.

Vishnu transformed himself into a dwarf called Vamana and approached Mahabali while he was performing a yajna and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf brahmin’s wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. The Emperor’s preceptor, Sukracharya warned him against making the gift, for he realized that the seeker was no ordinary person. But the Emperor’s kingly ego was boosted to think that God had asked him for a favor. So he firmly declared that there is no greater sin than going back on one’s promise. He kept his word.

The Vamana asked for a simple gift – three paces of land – and the king agreed to it. Vishnu in the guise of Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the netherworld. Realising that Vamana’s third step will destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head as the last step.

Vishnu’s fatal third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Vishnu granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile. Onam is the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is the day when a grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his subjects.

Remarkable Features of Onam

Pookalam

Pookalam is an intricate and colourful arrangement of flowers laid on the floor. Tradition of decorating Pookalam is extremely popular in Kerala and is followed as a ritual in every household during ten-day-long Onam celebrations. ‘Pookhalam’ consists of two words, ‘poov’ meaning flower and ‘kalam’ means colour sketches on the ground. It is considered auspicious to prepare Pookalam, also known as ‘Aththa-Poo’ during the festival of Onam.  Kilo and kilos of flowers, lot of dedication, creativity, technique and team effort are the basic essential of an eye catching Pookkalam.

Athapoovu are usually circular in shape and multi-tiered colourful arrangements of flowers, petals and leaves. Use of powder colours, desiccated coconut or artificial flowers is prohibited. Pookalams are normally laid on the front court yard of the house. Idols of Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the center of the Pookalam and worshiped. Diameter of a Pookalam normally ranges from four to five meters.

Ritual of making the flower mats continues for all ten days of Onam. Designing starts from the day of Atham and is made ready by Thiruvonam day. Basic design is prepared on the first day. Size of a Pookalam is increased by adding more to it on every passing day hence a massive Pookalam gets ready for the main day of the occasion. Its a big creative task, as designers have to think of a new design ever day.

Onasadya

Onasadhya is the most delicious part of the grand festival called Onam. It is considered to be the most elaborate and grand meal prepared by any civilisation or cultures in the world. It’s a feast which if enjoyed once is relished for years. Rich and the poor, everybody prepares Onasadya in a grand fashion as people of Kerala are extremely devotional and passionate when it comes to Onasadya. Rich and the poor, everybody prepares Onasadya in a grand fashion as people of Kerala are extremely devotional and passionate when it comes to Onasadya.

There will be 11 essential dishes for Onasadya. Number of dishes may go upto 13. Earlier, Onasaya used to be even more elaborate than depicted above. There were about 64 mandatory dishes – eight varieties each of the eight dishes. At that time three banana leaves were served one under the other to accommodate all the dishes.

Onasadya is to be consumed with hands and avoid spoon and fork to enjoy the real taste of Kerala. Rice is the essential and major ingredient of Onam Sadya.The food has to be served on a tender Banana leaf, laid with the end to the left hand side. The meal is traditionally served on a mat laid on the floor. A strict order of serving the dishes one after another is obeyed. Besides, there are clear directions as to what will be served in which part of the banana leaf.

Major items:  Pappadum, banana – Salt, banana wafers, sarkarapuratti fries, ginger, lime and mango pickles, ‘vellarika’, ‘pavakka’, ‘beetroot’ and ‘ulli kitchadi’. ‘Kitchadi’ made of pineapple and banana splits or of grapes and apple, ‘cabbage thoran’ or thoran made of beans and avial, bread and green peas mix ‘thoran”, kootucurry, ‘parippu curry, ghee, Sambhar, Rasam, butter milk, curd, adaprathaman Payasam, erissery, Kalan or Pulisseri, Olan, Pachadi,  Mulakoshyam etc

Snake Boat Race

Snake boat races of Kerala during Onam are another, unparalleled attraction of God’s Own Country. A sport that signifies the excellent team spirit, integration and amity of the people of this backwater country. An occasions of great excitement that is a reflection of a vibrant people.

Snake boat races are held in connection with Onam, the harvest festival in August/September. Scores of long snake boats and other smaller crafts participate in these events. The largest team sport in the world, the snake boat races are preceded by colourful water parades.

Usually, a snake boat is manned by four helmsmen, 25 singers and 100-125 oarsmen, who row in unison to the fast rhythm of vanchipattu (song of the boatman). Thousands of people crowd the water’s edge to cheer the huge black crafts as they slice through the waters to a spectacular finish. The oldest of these events have curious legends and myths attached to their origin. Myths closely linked to the rustic people and their beliefs.

Kaikottikali dance

Kaikottikali, also known as thiruvathirakali, is a very popular, graceful and symmetric group-dance of the women of Kerala often performed during festive seasons like Thiruvathira and Onam. It is a simple and gentle dance with the lasya element predominating, even though the thandava part is also brought in occasionally, when men also participate as seen in some parts of the Malabar area.

Typically dressed in Kerala style with mandu and neriyathu and the hairbun bedecked with jasmine garlands the women dance in gay abandon, singing melodious Thiruvathira songs which are well-reputed for their literary flourish. One of the performers sing the first line of a song while the rest repeat it in chorus, clapping their hands in unison. Moving in a circle, clockwise and at time anticlockwise, at every step they gracefully bend sideways, the arms coming together in beautiful gestures, upwards and downwards and to either side, in order to clap

kalaripayatt

Another attraction of Kerala during Onam is Kalaripayatt. Kalaripayatt is the ancient martial art existing in Kerala, in South India. In the word Kalaripayatt, Exactly to say a school for all students inside a hut. ‘KALARI’ means the enemy of all Bad, be it Inside or Outside of Human Body or in Nature. ‘PAYATT’ means the practice, which when done regularly under certain conditions increases energy, peace, power, and good health. It also makes the mind sharp and concentrated.

In ancient days, Kerala was covered by thick forests, mountains and water. Wild animals used to attack people. To protect themselves from animals man started to learn different techniques of fighting by watching birds, reptiles and animals. Thus evolved the self-defence technique Kalaripayatt. It is believed one of Lord Vishnu’s incarnation PARASHURAMA united all the techniques observing from nature and presented to humans for their self protection from all kinds of enemies in nature.

Pulikali

Pulikali is a colorful recreational folk art from the state of Kerala. It is performed by trained artists to entertain people on the occasion of Onam.  Pulikali, also known as Kaduvaakali, is a 200 year old art, carefully preserved by the artists of the state. Literal meaning of Pulikali is the ‘play of the tigers’ hence the performance revolve around the theme of tiger hunting. The folk art is mainly practiced in Thrissur (Trichur) and Palghat districts of Kerala. Best place to watch the show is Swaraj Ground at Thrissur on the fourth day of Onam, where Pulikali troupes from all over the district assemble to display their skills.

Striking feature of this folk art is the colorful appearance of the performers. To get the semblance of a tiger artists paint themselves in bright yellow with patterns of black and red. A tiger mask on the face completes the get up.

It is a painstaking job and artists spend a whole night prior to the performance day on their make-up. Patience of artists must be appreciated, as most paints contain toxic chemicals which create a burning sensation when applied on newly shaved bodies.

It is a wonderful sight to see humans in the guise of tigers roaming in the streets. Children, specifically take great delight in their performance as the entertainers dance, pounce and walk like a tiger. Scenes of tiger hunting goats and tiger being hunted by a human beings are also beautifully depicted by them. Beat for the dance movement is provided by percussion instruments like ‘udukku’ and ‘thakil’.

NEELAKURINJI

In God’s Own Country, a very special creation takes place once in twelve years. A mesmerizing natural wonder, that is witnessed through the mass flowering of a single plant species – Strobilanthes kunthianus, popularly known as Neelakurinji.

Neelakurinji is a shrub that used to grow abundantly in the shola grasslands  of Western Ghats in South India above 1800 metres. The Nilgiris, which literally means the blue mountains, got its name from the purplish blue flowers of Neelakurinji that blossoms gregariously only once in 12 years.

Neelakurinji is the best known of a genus that has flowering cycles ranging from one to 16 years. Plants that bloom at long intervals like kurinji are called plietesials. The genus has around 300 species, of which at least 46 occur in India. Besides the Western Ghats, Neelakurinji is seen in the Shevroys in the Eastern Ghats. It occurs at an altitude of 1300 to 2400 metres. The plant is usually 30 to 60 cm high on the hills. They can, however, grow well beyond 180 cm under congenial conditions.

Terminology

It was the Geman botanist Christian Gottfried Daniel Nees von Esenbeck (February 1776 – March 1856) who nomenclatured Neelakurinji as Strobilantehs Kunthiana. The standard botanical author abbreviation for him isNees. He classified Neelakurinji to be of : -

Kingdom : Plantae
Division   : Magnoliophyta
Class        : Magnoliopsida
Order      : Lamiales

Family     : Acanthaceae
Genus      : Strobilanthes
Species    : S. kunthiana

Binomial name
Strobilanthes kunthiana

On the hills, the plant usually grow 30 to 60 cm in height, but under more favorable conditions they can grow well beyond 180 cms. It can be found only in high altitudes between 1,600 metres and 2,600 m and what makes it so special, apart from its beauty, is that it blooms only once in 12 years. The mass flowering and subsequent death of the Kurinji is the subject of hill folklore.

Although Neelakurinji has flowering cycles ranging from one to 16 years, it has been flowering every 12 years since 1800. What triggers the massive flowering every 12 years is not known. Plants that bloom at long intervals like this is called plietesials. But stray flowerings do occur in between. The flowering season comes between August and November and peak in late September and October although some varieties exhibit little variation. It looks light blue in the early stage of blooming and has purplish blue colour when aged.

Neela means blue in Malayalam language and Kurinji is the local name of the flower. For those in Munnar, the blooming of Kurinji flower is a reminder that their lives have gone past another twelve years and for those from far off places it maybe once in a life time opportunity to witness the Kurinji flowers covering the hills of Munnar in a blanket of blue.

The Nilgiris, which means blue mountains, got its name from the blue flowers of Neelakurinji. Once they used to cover the entire Nilgiris like a carpet during its flowering season. However, now plantations and dwellings occupy much of their habitat. The departments of Tourism, Forests and Wildlife have initiated a campaign for the preservation of Neelakurinji and its natural habitat.

The Blooming of Neela Kurinji in 2006

In 2006, Kurinji (neelakurinji) bloomed gregariously at several places near Kodaikanal (India) and Munnar. The biggest flowering was at the Eravikulam National Park.

At the National park, carpets of flowers formed at the Turner’s Valley (about 16 km inside the park), Poovar and on the hills near the Lakkom Muthuvakudy besides the tourist zone at Rajamala..

It also bloomed gregariously on the hills between Klavarai in Tamil Nadu and Koviloor in Kerala, especially in the Kadavari area. These areas are now within the newly formed Kurinjimala Sanctuary.

Patches of kurinji occur in the remaining sholas near Koviloor. Koviloor is a few hours drive from Munnar in Kerala. A jeep road connects Koviloor to Klavarai and Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu). Theroad need not be motorable all the time (especially during monsoon).

Trekkers could spot kurinji by the sides of the old Munnar Kodaikanal road. Trekking would require permission from the Forest Department. The plants can also be located at places such as Yellapetty and Kanthalloor outside the protected areas. At Yellappetty, you have to trek to the hills south of the Yellapetty estate.

Some areas of the Mukurthi National Park near Ootty also have the plant. Besides, blooms have been reported from Attappady and Mangaladevi. Flowerings occur at Shevroys in the Eastern Ghats also.  The next mass flowering is expected to take place in 2018.

Damage

The last few decades witnessed impairment to the habitat of Neelakurinji. Plantations of tea, cardamom and timber devastated stupendous range of pristine forests home to this rare bush. Vast stretches of virgin rain forests got drowned by some Hydro-electric projects. Tea plantations engorged the most of kurinji filled hills. Now the kurinji thrives in the valleys and gorges that remain undistorted.

Another anthropogenic threat witnessed this year is the indiscriminate collection and destruction of bushes and stocks of Neelakurinji by some unaware and unruly visitors. This is particularly noticeable in some of the Nilakurinji habitats around Ooty in the Nilgiris. In the last week of September many tourist were observed to make rampant inside Neelakurinji thickets at Kodanadu in Kotagiri. They were also found to collect bunches of these flowers.

In addition to habitant destruction, such impudent activities may well prove serious threats to this long term survival of this important member of the biodiversity of these mountains.

Kerala’s Architecture – VASTHUSASTHRA

‘Vas‘ means ‘to dwell’ or ‘to occupy’. Vasthu means ‘dwelling place.’ Vasthu Shastra is the set of guidelines prescribed by the Rishis or learned men of ancient India for planning and constructing our dwelling places which range from our homes, cities, states, countries and eventually extend to our planet and the universe!

Nature consists of Panchabhutam, the five elements Akasham or Sky, Vaayu or Air, Agni or Fire, Bhumi or Earth and Jalam or Water The shastras or the ancient Indian texts on science tell us that cosmic energy has a specific influence on living beings.Five elements reside in nature in specific proportions. Vasthu Shastra involves the alignment of these five basic elements according to the law of nature. The effects of these five elements have to be studied to appreciate the science of vasthu in its pure form and also to pacify skeptics who question the efficiency and validity of vasthu shastra.

Plants and animals live in perfect harmony with nature. But we human beings, the superior beings that inhabit the earth, have forgotten how to keep peace with our surroundings. If we can modify our homes to harness the energy of the cosmos in such a way that our homes are in complete harmony with our bodies it can help us to succeed in all our endeavors. Due to the magnetic properties of the earth, the needle of a compass always points to the north.

Since vasthu is based on the permanent property of the earth namely inclination towards the north, the effect of vasthu is universal . Which means the effect of vasthu does not merely extend to the people of India or to the followers of Hinduism!

The Vasthusasthram has developed over generations as a result of observations of the influence of the SUN and the MAGNETIC fields on earth and living bodies, mentally and physically.

For any problems that you may be having with your health, mental and body peace, it is recommended that you construct buildings “as per the principals of Vasthusasthra – THE LAW OF NATURE

There are two parts to Vasthu Sasthra.

1. The science of Vasthu of land.
2. The science of Vasthu of building.

The science of Vasthu of land:-

We have to study the level, shape, and size of land before starting any construction. The shape of a land may be changed by adding or deducting parts or corners. We can also provide boundaries to separate the compound to suit Vasthu Sasthram. A land may be square or rectangle with all corners, Right angle is good for construction. A plot that slopes to the north or east or northeast is good for any purpose. In a plot having a way on its east and north and slopes to the east or north is considered very good for construction or for business.

The science of Vasthu of building:-

Before undertaking any construction of building you have to think of your financial position and requirements and consult an experienced engineer having a thorough knowledge of the preliminaries of Vasthu. While planning your home, remember to position your master bedroom in the southwest, sleeping with your head towards the south or east. Businessmen may sleep in the southeast or northwest bedroom. Our head has a magnetic power, and has to be placed opposite to the north i.e. place your head towards the south for a sound sleep.

The water tank should be positioned in the southwest / south / west and never the northeast. An underground tank or well in the northeast is considered good.

Necessity of Vasthu:-

In remodelling any existing house, you must consult a Vasthu expert. Experts say that they have come across many cases where people complain of financial and other problems after the marriage of a son or daughter. This, they say, is due to the remodelling or rearranging of rooms or a change in position of doors or windows in connection with the marriage.

Nalukettu- unique architecture of Kerala

The Nalukettu is the traditional style of architecture of Kerala, wherein a house has a quadrangle in the centre.

Originally the abode of the wealthy Brahmin and Nair families, this style of architecture has today become a status symbol among the well to do in Kerala. Nalukettu is evident in the traditional homes of the upper class homestead where customs and rituals were a part of life.

The mansion is created using wood and tiles, central open courtyard and wondrous architecture. The interiors of the house are tastefully decorated with a wealth of antiques made from teak, sandalwood, mahogany etc.

Dynastic Influence

Originally the abode of the wealthy Brahmin and Nair families, this style of architecture has today become a status symbol among the well to do in Kerala. Nalukettu is evident in the traditional homes of the upper class homestead where customs and rituals were a part of life.

Priciples Of The Design

The Roof of a Typical Nalukettu, Kerala
The traditional ‘Nalukettu’, barring the foundation and floor is made of carved and slotted wood and has a close resemblance to East Asian gabled and thatched structures. In later years, tiles replaced the coconut fronds.

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.

The outer verandahs along the four sides of the ‘Nalukettu’ are enclosed differently. While both the western and eastern verandahs are left open, the northern and southern verandahs are enclosed or semi-enclosed.

The ‘Tantrasamuchaya’, ‘Vasthuvidya’, ‘Maushyalaya Chandrika’ and ‘Silparatna’ are the celebrated treatises in the field of architecture that Kerala has contributed to the world.

The Nalukettu of Kerala i

s famous for building along with the rules of ‘Tachu Sastra’ (Science of Architecture). The Padmanabhapuram Palace, the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry and Krishnapuram Palace near Kayamkulam are some of the famous palaces of Kerala.

The rock temples, woodcarvings, and metal cuttings are excellent pieces of works of Kerala

Namboothiri Illams

Namboothiri houses (Brahmaalayam, Mana, illam) were built invariably according to the canons of Vaasthusaasthram (Vaasthuvidya priciples, the science and art – architecture – of building in harmony with the eternally active, creative, and all pervasive ‘Spirit’ and ‘Nature’) and in conformity and proportion with the usually large compound or plot (Illapparambu). In the early days, they were all built in the form of Chathussaalas or Naalukettus (quadrangle or the ancient courtyards) – Kizhakkini (eastern part), Thekkini (south), Padinhaatti (west) and Vadukkini (north), as seperate structures. This can be seen even today in Kurumathur Illam. In later years, joining these four through Meladukkala, kizhakke Ara, Puraththaalam and Vadakke Ara, came to vogue. The Vadakkini floor was always considerably raised, whereas local custom determined whether none, any or all of the other three had raised floors or not. The Thekkini and/ or Padinhaatti may either be single storyed or two (or more) storyes high. Anyway all Brahmaalayams were invariably in the Naalukettu style.

The gateway entrance to the plot (Padippura) is built on the western boundary in line with the Thekkini veranda. The Padippura will have standing (or resting) space both inside and outside. This is done to let the passers – by know that the house is a Brahmaalayam, where food will be available. With the same purpose in mind, the kitchen well is provided with a drum shaped wooden pulley system with wooden balls (or dry fruit shells) inside which produce noise while drawing water.

The Paththaayappura (grain store-house), bathing tank, well, dining halls (Kettu) and all other functional parts have very definite relative locations, size, shape and other details, determined as per Vaastuvidya.

A Very Special Folk Dance – Chavittunadakam

Chavittu Nadakam is a folklore art practiced by Christians in some parts of Kerala state of south India.

Offshoot of theatre, this form of play was prevalent among the Christian community spanning from Kodungallur to Ambalappuzha. Training is provided to performers before staging the play. The master is known as Annavi. The whole play is performed through musicals.

The main characters sport broached dress, headdress and crowns. The soldiers sport hats fitted with quills. The bell and drum are two instruments used as back ground score. Most of the times the stories related to Christianity or Western history or Biblical stories are played.

Chavittunatakam was introduced during the time of the Portuguese in Kerala in the16th century A.D. ‘Chavittu’ means the rhythmic steps which accompanies the recitation of lines in the drama.

In the beginning this theatre was practiced by Latin Christians. This concept of the western opera type of theatre was inspired from the miracle plays of the west. The themes presented were also western. The texts were written in old Tamil. The acting techniques, stage structure and treatment of the plot were all western. The influence of Kathakali can be seen in the use of curtains and in certain elements of the costumes. The influence of Kalaripayattu is evident from the vivacious fighting scenes.

The characters used to sing their dialogues. Male actors does the roles of women.The adventurous themes selected for Chavittunatakam, like ‘Charlemangne’, ‘St. George’ etc gave immense opportunity to use the local martial art form, Kalaripayattu both for the fighting scenes and the total kinetic design. The participants of the play used to be very militant in their real life as they were sometimes used for fighting trespassers on private land. Kalaripayattu has immensely influenced the form. The forceful stamping of the foot by the actors is most dramatic and it effectively communicates the basic heroic mood in most of the themes. Being an opera, gestures are not used in Chavittunatakam to communicate ideas. The steps, the stamping and the locomotion of the body sharply coincide with the vocal singing and the accompanying rhythm on the instrument chenda creating a very vibrant dramatic effect.

The stage for the performance used to be a low platform of the strongest wood, about twenty yards long, eight yards broad and half a yard high. The performance was deemed a failure if, by the time the play ended, the platform had not been completely wrecked by the tremendous pounding of the actors feet.

The training in the art was given by the chief Guru known as ‘Annavi’ or ‘Asan’. He used to give basic martial training to the actors before introducing them to the text. The texts were preserved either in palm leaf or paper and they were known as ‘Chuvati’. The Annavi was well versed in Tamil which was the language in which the texts were written. The number of performers and troupes in this discipline has come down as the art was not getting adequate encouragement from the public. But recently there has been a revival of traditional art forms all over, including this dance drama.

Training centers in kerala

KRIPASANAM PAVARNIKA RANGA KALAPEEDOM
Near Block Junction Kalavoor P.O.
Alappuzha 688022
Phone : ++91-477-2252230
Contact Person Fr. V . P. Joseph
Area of Training Performing Arts Training
Course Name Chavittunadakam
Academic month for Admission June
Duration of the Course 6 years
No. of Seats 12
About the Institution
The centre for folk arts offers course in Chavittunadakam. The centre is managed by a Trust. Established in 1989, the centre is affiliated with the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy.