Namboothiri Illams

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Namboothiri Illams

Namboothiri culture has something to do with their home environment. These pictures narrate the story.

1. Poomukham (Lobby or Sit out)

Front view 1.1 Front view: Avinjikkaat Mana, Valapuram, Pulamanthol, Malappuram district.

Step out from the Poomukham 1.2 Step out from the Poomukham into the river: Paara Mana, Nedungottoor, Palakkad district.

Poomukham 1.3 Poomukham with a covered walkway (Nadappura) from the gate (Padippura): Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Majestic front view 1.4 Majestic front view: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Modernised Poomukham 1.5 A bit modernised Poomukham (built in early 1900s): Polpaaya Mana, Valapuram, Pulamanthol, Malappuram district.

Recliner (chaarupadi) 1.6 Though small, notice the recliner (chaarupadi): Kakkaat Mana, Thiruvegappura, Palakkad district.

2. Door

Door and doorframe 2.1 A well-proportioned door and doorframe: Avinjikkaat Mana, Valapuram, Pulamanthol, Malappuram district.

Great craftsmanship 2.2 Great craftsmanship: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

2.3 The brass linings enhance strength and beauty: Kakkaat Mana, Thiruvegappura, Palakkad district.

2.4 Notice the panel work (Mangalapalaka) above the door: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

2.5 An ill-maintained door. Still, it is elegant: Azhvanchery Mana,
Athavanad, Malappuram Dist.

2.6 The main entry door from Poomukham to the quadrangle (Naalirayam/ Nadumittam): Koodalloor Mana, Naareeri, Palakkad District.

2.7 Wooden carving on a door: Koodalloor Mana, Naareeri, Palakkad District.

2.8 Carvings of gods and goddesses and flowers are common features: Koodalloor Mana, Naareeri, Palakkad District.

2.9 Wooden carving (of a goddess) on a door: Koodalloor Mana, Naareeri, Palakkad District.

2.10 Wooden carving of God Ganapathy on a door: Koodalloor Mana, Naareeri, Palakkad District.

2.11 Wooden carving (of a goddess) on a door: Koodalloor Mana, Naareeri, Palakkad District.

2.12 Intricately carved panel (mangalapalaka) above the door: Koodalloor Mana, Naareeri, Palakkad District.

2.13 An old style window with a sitting bench that doubles as a door when lifted up. Notice also the wall cupboards above: Koodalloor Mana, Naareeri, Palakkad District.

3. Nadumittam (Central quadrangle)

Small but elegant 3.1 Small but elegant: Kakkaat Mana, Thiruvegappura, Palakkad district.

A large multiple Naalukettu 3.2 A large multiple Naalukettu (12-kettu): Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Thrikkakarappan comes to the Nadumittam 3.3 "Thrikkakarappan" comes to the Nadumittam. Yes, it is time for Onam.: Paara Mana, Nedungottoor, Palakkad district.

A small Nadumittam 3.4 A small Nadumittam of 12-kettu: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Another small Nadumittam 3.5 Another small Nadumittam of 12-kettu: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Jasmine platform (Mullathara) 3.6 Jasmine platform (Mullathara), an integral part of Nadumittam: Paara Mana, Nedungottoor, Palakkad district.

Naalirayam (the walkway around Nadumittam) 3.7 A typical view. Observe the Naalirayam (the walkway around Nadumittam): Avinjikkaat Mana, Valapuram, Pulamanthol, Malappuram district.

A large Nadumittam 3.8 A large Nadumittam: Koodalloor Mana, Naareeri, Koottanad, Palakkad Dist.

Bird's eye view 3.9 Bird's eye view: Avinjikkaat Mana, Valapuram, Pulamanthol, Malappuram district.

Kizhakkini, Vadukkini ventilator window 3.10 A typical Kizhakkini / Vadukkini ventilator window: Avinjikkaat Mana, Valapuram, Pulamanthol, Malappuram district.

A portion of the Naalirayam 3.11 A portion of the Naalirayam, the walk-way around Nadumittam (Central Quadrangle): Azhvanchery Mana, Athavanad, Malappuram Dist.

Snake-mound (Paambumputtu) 3.12 Snakes are also inmates ! Snake-mound (Paambumputtu) in Nadumittam: A peculiarity of Athippatta Mana, Chethalloor, Palakkad dist.

4. Pillars and Roofs

Gigantic front pillars 4.1 Gigantic front pillars: Avinjikkaat Mana, Valapuram, Pulamanthol, Malappuram district.

It's great 4.2 It's great !: Kakkaat Mana, Thiruvegappura, Palakkad district.

It's simple 4.3 It's simple...: Kakkaat Mana, Thiruvegappura, Palakkad district.

Pillars 4.4 Notice the pillars at the front, in the middle and deep inside: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Double pillars 4.5 Double pillars: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Art work on a pillar 4.6 Art work on a pillar: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Another piece of artwork on a pillar 4.7 Another piece of artwork on a pillar: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Nostalgic memories 4.8 Nostalgic memories: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Telescoping to infinity 4.9 Telescoping to infinity: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Settings of rafters 4.10 Notice the settings of rafters: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Don't you like to sit there? 4.11 Don't you like to sit there ? Azhvanchery Mana, Athavanad, Malappuram Dist.

A wooden ring on a twisted wooden rod 4.12 A wooden ring on a twisted wooden rod. A signature of the expertise of carpenter: Koodalloor Mana, Naareeri, Palakkad District.

A relatively modern addition 4.13 A relatively modern addition (1920s) with tiled floor and arch-windows: Koodalloor Mana, Naareeri, Palakkad District.

5. Main structure

A typical three-storey Illam 5.1 A typical three-storey Illam: Kakkaat Mana, Thiruvegappura, Palakkad district.

Large structure but small windows 5.2 Large structure but small windows: Paara Mana, Nedungottoor, Palakkad district.

Typical three-storey structure 5.3 Yet another typical three-storey structure: Avinjikkaat Mana, Valapuram, Pulamanthol, Malappuram district.

Tall structure in harmony with the nature 5.4 Tall structure in harmony with the nature: Paara Mana, Nedungottoor, Palakkad district.

Azhiyakam 5.5 Azhiyakam (the room with wooden ventilator) adds to the functional and architectural value: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

An overall value 5.6 An overall value: Avinjikkaat Mana, Valapuram, Pulamanthol, Malappuram district.

Old is gold 5.7 Old is gold: Azhvanchery Mana, Athavanad, Malappuram Dist.

Whau ! What a flooring ! 5.8 Whau ! What a flooring ! ? Azhvanchery Mana, Athavanad, Malappuram Dist.

6. Padippura (Gateway structure)

An elegant Padippura 6.1 An elegant Padippura. On the right is a Paththayappura (Annexe of a typical Illam main structure): Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

7. Bathing Tank (Kulam) and hall at the entrance of tank (Kulappura)

7.1 Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

7.2 Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Kulappura 7.3 Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

7.4 Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

Kulappura 7.5 The men's pond with steps from all four sides: Koodalloor Mana, Naareeri, Palakkad District.

8. Paththayappura

Paththayappura structures 8.1 One of the many Paththayappura structures: Poomulli Mana, Peringod, Palakkad district.

8.2 A typical long "Dormer" window on the first floor, and an imitation of the same on the second floor: Tharangat Mana, Punchapadam, Palakkad district.

9. Environment

River view 9.1 River view (A Health Resort ? ): Paara Mana, Nedungottoor, Palakkad district.

Set amidst sylvan environs 9.2 Set amidst sylvan environs: Avinjikkaat Mana, Valapuram, Pulamanthol, Malappuram district.

Built on high ground 9.3 Built on high ground, surrounded by paddy fields: Polpaaya Mana, Valapuram, Pulamanthol, Malappuram district.

River view room 9.4 This river view room has served as honeymoon suite for ages : Paara Mana, Nedungottoor, Palakkad district.

A view from another bedroom 9.5 Quiet flows the river. A view from another bedroom: Paara Mana, Nedungottoor, Palakkad district.

| Last update of this article:11th November 2003 |

Photographs: From the collections of
1. K. Raman Bhattathiripad (Karangat Mana), Civil Engineer, Thiruvegappura, Palakkad district.
2. P. M. Sudheer (Paara Mana), M.E.S.Engineering College, Kuttippuram.
3. A. M. Parameswaran Bhattathiripad and Brothers (Avinjikkaat Mana)
4. K.D. Nambudripad (Koodalloor Mana)

Titles: K.D.Nambudripad and P. Vinod Bhattathiripad