A STUDY ON THE SYNAGOGUES OF KERALA

Submitted
by

GEOSHA ANSHIL S K (Reg. No. 311720567003)

MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE
under

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE

MOHAMED SATHAK A J ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE,

CHENNAI - 603103

Affiliated to

ANNA UNIVERSITY
CHENNAI – 600025

APRIL 2022
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MOHAMED SATHAK A J ACADEMYOFARCHITECTURE

Approved by Council of Architecture & affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
34, Old Mahabalipuram Road, IT Highway, Egattur, Chennai- 603103

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that this Thesis Report is the bonafide work of Geosha Anshil S K(Reg.
No. 311720567003) who carried out the dissertation entitled “THE STUDY ON
SYNAGOGUES OF KERALA ” under our guidance from October 2021 to April 2022.

Prof. Sathish Kumar Prof.Mohammed Idris

Head of Department Principal

Prof.Mohammed Haris
Dean
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DECLARATION

I GEOSHA ANSHIL S K (Reg. No. 311720567003) hereby declare that the dissertation

Report entitled “THE STUDY ON SYNAGOGUES OF KERALA” done by me under

the guidance of Ar. Divya Chakravarti (Internal) and Ar. Xavier Benedict (External) at

Mohamed Sathak A J Academy of architecture, Chennai is submitted in partial fulfillment

of the requirements for the award of Master of Architecture (Conservation) degree, Anna

University, Chennai-600025.

DATE:

PLACE: SIGNATURE OF THE CANDIDATE

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ABSTRACT

Studying the architectural history of the not functioning, but still standing synagogues

in the southernmost Indian state of Kerala. A synagogue is a Jewish religious building.

A study of the architecture of the not-yet-functional but still-standing synagogues in

Kerala, India's southernmost state. In India now, there are 35 synagogues, seven of

which are in Kerala. Kerala's Jews were divided into three separate groups: Malabari,

Paradesi, and Meshuhararim Jews. These synagogues, built with locally accessible

materials and building techniques, are great examples of Kerala's centuries-old

vernacular architectural and planning traditions. Only one is functioning as a place of

prayer due to the diminishing community number of Kerala Jews. Analyzing and

studying synagogue conservation measures and the influence of vernacular

architecture on Kerala's rapidly deteriorating cultural heritage. In Kerala, there are

seven synagogues and four of them are studied in detail with documentation

synagogues. These synagogues, built using locally accessible materials and time-tested

construction processes, are exemplary examples of Kerala's centuries-old vernacular

architectural and planning traditions.

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to acknowledge and give my warmest thanks to my faculties for their

guidance. I would also like to give special thanks to Ar. Xavier Benedict for his

valuable comments and thoughts on the topic. In the beginning, I would thank Ar.

Hareesh for guiding me to choose the topic and providing tips to achieve the goal. I

would like to thank Prof. Mohammed Haris, Dean, Prof. Mohamed Idris, Principal,

Prof. Sathish Kumar, Head of the Department for their support throughout the

academics. Documenting the Synagogue’s help and permission from the Kerala

government by Mr. Kumar was a great help. A special thanks to Mr. Elias Josephai for

having a deep conversation about the community and the Kadavumbhagam

Synagogue. I thank Mr. Sundar (archeology department) to open up the

Chendamangalam synagogue in spite of the heavy rains for me to observe the spaces

and document them.

I am very thankful to Mr. Devakumar Samuel and Mrs. Sheela Devakumar for all

accompanying me to the synagogues and helping me in the process of documentation.

I am also very thankful to my supporting brother Er. Geou Akshil for helping me to

visit the synagogues and their precincts. I cannot forget the contribution and support of
my parents whenever I needed it. I would like to thank Ar. Jabeen for guidance

throughout the process. I would like to thank my friends and classmates for helping me

throughout. Last but not least I extend my gratitude to God for giving me a healthy

mind to complete the report.

-Geosha Anshil