VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURAL STRUCTURES

     Indian heritage houses are rich in tradition and architectural finesse. Yet many are sadly demolished as modern buildings are more sought after both for easier maintenance and better usage of spaces through rectangular or square formations. However, the fact remains that many of these structures are intriguing as they have been able to withstand the pressures of the hostile environment and changes in climate for centuries. Even more intriguing is the fact that all modern buildings are given at the most a couple of decades or three as guarantee by their architects and even then many of them are on the verge of hasty repair work with the passing of the first decade itself. Perhaps this is more revealing in those areas of the country where the vagaries of the monsoon and the sudden change of climates makes these modern architect somewhat more of a risk than the traditional form of architecture. 

      The 'vernacular structures' as they are also called are especially meant to suit that particular environment within that narrow defined limits of the climate and artistic changes. This is because each of these structures are made in tune with the particular climate of those parts of the country and this may even vary from one region or area within a district of a state itself as the environment changes and the reason of their historic importance. Again, the vernacular structures which are mostly residential houses for large joint families in the country as was and still remains the prevalent practice embraces that particular spot or area as no other form of traditional structures do. This blending with the niche environment space and the time they have been established gives them a uniqueness that differs quite widely with other of the same architect genre. Obviously, the vernacular structures gives them a stubborn authentication and peculiarities of the environment of the place where they have been built making them a revealing piece of marvel all of their own unlike those of the stereotypes of the modern architecture. 

     For many Indian traditional households these types of houses symbolizes the degree of their wealth, prominence, dignity and sphere of influence and profession such that travelers coming from far off places within the country can distinguish between the families dwelling in each of the houses could be ascertained and stored in memory within a few days of stay in those parts. Some parts of the houses they say lives and breathes of the ancestors who once stayed or has long gone elsewhere. Perhaps this is the very reason that old ancient mansions and houses have their own vividly tales, some very horrific and some sad while some foretell great tragedies all woven into each of the ancient furniture and pieces of art work in that house. 

    Although its quite a feat to maintain such mansions and houses in modern times however their expenses could be a costly affair. Yet for those who can afford these vernacular structures it surely is walk through some unique moments of history and cheerful family gatherings of those bygone days. Many of these structures have in the recent times been converted into hotels and heritage palaces for tourists to experience the same traditional feelings the erstwhile property owners once had.Still, all is not lost in the area of such construction as there is serious thinking of making such ancient form of construction as a viable alternative to the stereotypes that are plentifully available in the archetuctural and construction field of today. Modern Vernacular Structures with more sustaining designs should be the password in the study of futuristic designs. Imposing Vernacular Constuction Kerala style has made great inroads into the thinking patterns of how to construct modern structures having serious blend of designs with the past as well could be the role models for houses and buildings that have to experience the volatile tropical rainforest climate prevalent in the state. Besides, who knows that such construction would be a better exotic approach for the international market that have not yet expeienced anything like this before. 

It is those construction entrpreneurs who have such bold ideas in their minds to create a niche market for themselves through a blend of vernacular construction and other exotic range of houses and structures who really are the architect of their future. 

Visibly vernacular construction will make a comeback as people would seek the non stereo type construction works..

Horrifying Tales From KSV: Horrifying Tales From KSV: RESPLENDENT FEST CALLED 'ONAM'

RESPLENDENT FEST CALLED 'ONAM'

Horrifying Tales From KSV: RESPLENDENT FEST CALLED 'ONAM'

TOURING AND VISITING PLACES OF FESTIVITY

RESPLENDENT FEST CALLED 'ONAM'

       This is a special occasion for a tiny state in India called Kerala where one of its grandest festival days have arrived. Not quite surprisingly this particular festival is not celebrated all around India, but is confined only to the Keralites residing in and out of the state and out of the country. The expatriate Keralites or Malayalees as they are known have a blessing that this is there very own festival and not everyone else, but at the same time may have a little regret that this more or less family bound festival and has less public acceptance outside a Keralite home. The contribution of the rigid and closely held customs surrounding the festival may have given this festival as an occasion for the Malayalees to enjoy within their community rather than have the same distributed across the vast spectrum of humanity in India and abroad. The special hues and remarkableness associated with this festival is mostly concentrated on this ideal region known to the rest of the world as the 'Gods own Country'. The festival is the grandest occasion in Kerala as it marks the close of the harvest season and the bounty that the gods of heaven have at last showered on the people through bountiful harvest and better reserves and of course better dishes. In fact, there are several harvest festival through out India and if you were a traveler then it is quite a treat to look into the nature of these festivals and the way they are enjoyed and the unique and totally differentiated customs and celebration attached to each of these that can do wonders to a stereotyped mind of any ordinary tourist who are generally fed with the same routine stuff in their own homeland.
       Legend has it that the erstwhile ruler of Kerala or the area which consisted of several province united under one ruler called Mahabali and who through his munificence and extraordinary deeds and out of the way acts of gratitude to his subjects came to be well known in the entire universe among gods and the evil forces alike. The legend like most other legends crisscrossing the huge country called Bharat were too old enough to throw up proper light into the incidents that eventually paved way for the tale of this unique ruler. However, there were enough of scope in the study that clearly showed that Bharat then wasn't in the protozoic period nor was it in the Jurrasic era and therefore it was inhabited by men and women and their families who by virtue of their ability and willingness to do hard work on the soil surrounded by the pristine beauty of the tropical rainforest climate and the evergreen mountainous areas made this land an exceptionally comfortable place to live in. The fact that the festival called Onam resonated clearly with the completion of the harvest period undoubtedly filled ones mind with ease that the period of Mahabali was indeed a prosperous one. There is yet another reading or line of thought that could bear testimony to the prosperity of this region and that is here the season was naturally good as the weather was near perfect with the onslaughts of continuous rain that the tropical forest areas are famed for and that hot summer days were ages away during the time of harvest. Further, the bounty that the harvest brought in during these auspicious days sounded fair enough when agriculture was the most predominant occupation for not less than 95% of the population and this alone brought in a great deal of cheer for the subjects who were always at the brink of frugality during the lean seasons. Therefore, the Onam festival was the best and the most welcome of all months. It obviously had a surplus of everything that a household can dream of during those times.
       Now, things weren't all that welcome in the house of gods for no wonder at many instances the philanthropic activities that were carried out by Mahabali wasn't all that inspiring for the gods of heaven who perhaps felt a little let down. They perhaps reasoned that the ruler could have done a lot less than this and would have lived a more interesting period as one of the best ruler in the whole world.. However, Mahabali carried out his benevolent acts as if there wasn't another day to spare. This perhaps prompted the super God of heavens Lord Vishnu to descend from the comforts of his abode in heavens in the form of an ordinary monk called 'Vamana' no larger than an average dwarf to test upon the strength of Mahabali's munificence and philanthropic ideals. Even gods then like all humans were filled with jealousy then. Of course, they have to be for most of the legends were born out of the mighty thinking people and their master quill made pen strokes on parched dried leaf filaments.
       To tell the great legend in short for those who have no idea of it then the story goes on something like this. It was certain that no mortal goes with free hands in front of Mahabali and the dwarf form of Lord Vishnu too likewise knew that he could trust the mighty ruler to stick on to his high ideals and moral ground how impossible the situation may be. The lord appeared as 'Vamana' and begged before Mahabali to give him only three feet of land measured by the foot belonging to the incarnation of 'Vamana'. Mahabali felt a little offended by this and told Vamana to take as much land as he could measure rather than confine it only to three little feet of his. But Vamana was adamant and replied that he wanted no more nor less. The ever pleasing Mahabali agreed and the Lord in the disguise of Vamana set on to measure the three feet of land. Next was simply an act of perfidy or whatever you might call it and the Lord Vishnu quickly assumed his omnipresent form and with one foot measured the earth and its surrounding objects (the earth was in those times quite an impressive planet not easily dwarfed by anything in heavens) and with the other he quickly measured the rest of the universe and then asked where is the land which his third feet can rest upon. Mahabali knew that he was tricked, but like an ever charitable soul told Lord Vishnu to rest the third feet upon his little head. The Lord lost no time and quickly put it on Mahabali's head and pushed him down deep into the crust of earth known generally to people all around the world as hell. But Mahabali didn't vanish immediately disappear from sight, but asked the All Powerful Almighty whether he could see his beloved subjects ever again. The Lord conceded to his request and agreed to allow him to visit his land every year for ten days as per the Indian almanac days when Onam is celebrated in full swing. So this day people think or try to give reason that these are the most auspicious days for the people of Kerala. Even to this day this festival is celebrated.
         But what is most fascinating is the thinking pattern or rather a change in thinking and reasoning pattern among thinkers, philosophers, in particular religious philosophers who no doubt would have seen the holy text and the unfolding tale being written as they usually did during the birth and subsequent additions which the other religious texts have undergone. Remember, this was during those times when proper papers or writing materials were not available and people relied heavily on word of mouth for communicating anything sacred and otherwise. The bewildering fact is that the long held belief that the gods in heaven are the most superior not only in strength, but morality and general munificent acts have been challenged by deviating from the known religious line of thinking and that a little ambitious step making man as important in good deeds if he were given the chance to assert himself was also pondered upon by those thinkers and writers and quickly inserted through literature which in those times were basically religious. Naturally, Onam festival saw a little deviance where the Lord became a figure of doubtful disposition while the mortal king Mahabali became a highly revered figure. All texts religious or otherwise are the creation of human thoughts after all. Perhaps Kerala has made a significant contribution in challenging a known channels of thinking through the tale of Mahabali.
           Yet, the religious philosophers and other thinkers and writers who were not all too pleased with the way the text and the tale have been written must have done their own brainstorming and additions. Of course, a great part must have already been out in the open and the peasant folks and ordinary citizen would have embraced the tale and therefore what could be done later perhaps was simply some brilliant piece of editing. Just as we in the present world try out the supremacy of our race on lesser mortals and little nations so did those crafty and ruthless thinkers and religious philosophers. They perhaps gave the specious reasoning that Mahabali was so punished because of the fact that he belonged to the 'asura' chaste or demon chaste who were or have been bent upon in making the heavenly life of gods extremely stressful.
          The story ends or begins shouldn't be much of concern for travelers opting to travel during these times. This year the time of festival season starts from 31st August, 2011 and ends on 9th September, 2011. It also coincides with the Ramzan month. Yet the Onam celebration stretches on for another couple of days at Thrissur. Yet it would be better if the tourist were visiting some well known places where Onam is celebrated with utmost gaiety. Extraordinary Pullikali (Tiger painted faces of human beings - nowadays it means of any wild animals and tabloid processions and a vast array of percussion ensembles marks the finale of ten days of Onam in Thrissur. Mind boggling 'Atha Chamayam' of Tripunithura situated in the Ernakulam district of Kerala state is yet another procession worth watching. Then there are numerous arts and clubs scattered all around the state which hosts and sponsors "Onam Flower Decorations' and carry on day night dance, drama and orchestra performances. Pristine Pookala Malsarram or the Onam Flower Decoration as it is usually called is quite unique to this region and something that would instill and create an artist in each human. Kummatty or painted faces of human beings in processions giving off wild dances are also worth watching. As for the delicacies the tired traveler can seek any good hospitality center for indulging in Kerala's own delicacies served in traditional plantain leaves and finishing off with ambrosia - delightful sweet 'payasams'. In fact, this festival is all too colorful under the shades of evergreen foliage. Mysterious classic paints and pigments Kerala style is what gives the shades of color and texture all its own in remarkableness and style.
         Regretting Kerala Diaspora abroad can of course have a treat in many of the choicest ways and there are exports packages of these items to far off nations too by well known traditional food merchants. Cultural Hospitality Centers Kerala abound for enticing new travelers to have a taste of the exotic. Traditional minded hotels and resorts of Kerala with styles as traditional yet having all the modern amenities for those inquisitive and art loving travelers can give them immense pleasure of experiencing something out of the way altogether.
          Truly, this isn't a horrifying tale at all perhaps would be so if one were to miss it remaining out of station during such a moment.