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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.
The Glorious Examples Of Nalukettu
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 is 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.
The
Evolution Of Nalukettu
Essentially, Nalukettu can be explained as an expansion of the concept of
'sala' enshrined in the 'Vaastushastra', the Indian science of
architecture. A 'sala' was a square or rectangular living room with
verandas on one or more sides.
An 'akashala' or single unit house was affordable for even the poorest
and the lowest in the rigid caste hierarchy. The addition of another
L-shaped hall made it a 'dwissala' or two-structured abode. Further
economic advancement and familial needs led to the addition of a third
structure, making three sides of open -ended square -a 'thrissala'.
When the fourth side was also hemmed in by the addition of another
'sala', the resultant square became 'chatussala' or the 'nalu' (four) and
'kettu' (built up sides).
The Style Of Construction
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. 
In the middle of the enclosed southern or western 'salas' is the 'Ara' or
the storage room, flanked by bedrooms. The floor of the 'Ara' was raised
even higher than that of the other 'salas' to accommodate a 'nilavara' or
basement.
Entrances to the building were provided at the centre of the east, west,
north and south sides depending on the position of the 'Ara'.
As the families prospered and grew in size, other squares of 'salas' were
added to make 'Ettukettus' or mansions with eight 'salas' around two
courtyards.
On the firmer grounds of Kerala, the 'Nalukettu' rose upwards into two or
three storeys, the upper floors being reserved for the 'Karanavars'
(elders).
By the time multi-storeyed mansions evolved, the wooden walls had given
way to laterite ones plastered with lime. The ultimate development in this
line was the 'pathinarukettu', or structure with 16 'salas'.
The Tradition Preserved
The 'Nalukettu' tradition was preserved by the 'thatchans' or trained
architect-painters, well versed in the science of 'Vaastushastra'. Much of
the rules of construction are codified in the 'Manushyalaya Chandrika', a
treatise on architecture by the famed architect, Mangalathu Neelkantam
Namboothiri.