METIIODOLOGY OF 11 HE STUDY

Chapter II

METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

2.1 Introduction

l11is chapter describes the various stages through which lhe present study was
undertaken. It explains the literature study covering a few classical texts and most of
the regional texts available in Kemla. The literature st.u<ly was supplemented to some
extent by the discussions with the practitioners o{ trn<litiona1 architecture botJ1 at. the
craftsmens level as well as at the level of a few designers (Sthapatl1i) and scholars
(Achary as). 'I11e method of conducting tlte field study is elahorate<l and v ariahles
identified are explained. The choice of these variables are justified with respect to t.hcir
roles in creating perceptible differences in tl1e house forms. ll1e lt'Chnique of su1vey is
explained and a summary table showing the distribution of samples in the study area is
presented.

2.2 Literature study

In trndit.ional architecture, most of tl1e original wo1 ks arc in Sanskrit. a large

numher of tht•m in manuscript form. 'lbesc texts of' Vastu.wstra' are often in complex
technical Sansbit beyond the comprehension of even scholars of literary Sansk1iL
Fortunately tlte important one-. among the text'i have heen annotated, although with
occasional misrepresentation of technical word,. 'l11is is owing to tJ1e fact that Sanskrit
scholars are not very familiar with technology. Modem architect� on the other hand are
ignorant. of Sanskrit and hence nt·cessarily have to work with this limit,tion. In this
connection, tl1e author was fortunate in having undertaken regular courses in Sanskrit
during her secondary education :md gaining ,v<)rking know ledge in this langu:,ge.
 Literature study in the present context included tJ1e following ste1ti

1) Collfftion of all available texts.

2) Familiarisation of text content and
J) Dctai)ed study of relevant topics.

2.2.1 Collection or nil uvnllnhlr trxts

A large number of original manuscripts are available at tl1e Oriental Manuscript

Library at Trivandrum. Parikshit Raja Memorial Manuscript library at Tripunithura and
Sarnswathy Mahal Library al Tanjore. Some of the manuscriptci have hecn published
Photocopies of others were collected. Local books in regional language published
locally were also colkcted. A Bibliography of the books is given in Appendix I\ B and
C. Some of the books like Puranas, Samhitas and Agamas contain treatment of
Vastusastra as one of the many topics dealt with. Books dealing with Vastusastra can
be grouped as classical texlc; anJ regional texts. Classical texts are those which are
JX)pular all over India like Jfanasara and Mayamalt1. 'l1Kj' cover aspects of tksign and
planning of all ty pcs of buildings. 'Jbc regional texts arc tJwsc followed in specific
region. In Kerala three such texts dealin� with d omes tic archi tecture are
Vastulaksltanam, Mmmsltyalaya Chandrilw and Vastuvidva.

2.2.2 Familiarisation of the lext hooks

Study started with the Englii;h translation of the classical texts J..fanasara edited
by Dr. P.K Acharya and Afayamata by Bruno Dagens. Fu1ther the author on her own
maJc an attempt lo study lhc work' Samarm,gmw Sutracllwra' by Bhoja R,ja with the
help of a spet:ialisl Sansk1it Sdwlar S1 i. Vt•nkit.1 Sas11y o[ T1ivmuhum. S1111wrcm.1ftlllt1
Sutradhara' was sdL=>cted lx--x:ause it was found to cover more elaborately on rC'Sidcntial
architecture than many other classical works.

2.2.3 Df't.ailerl Study

Manushyalaya Chandrika, popularly followed in Kerala by traditional expert<;

was studied in detail. Books with comm<:'ntaries on the original work by different
scholars were covered in the study. A rare edition of the work known as J,fanushyalay a
Mahac/,andrikt, witl1 more elaborate conunenta1ies on the original tcx twas ahw included
in the study. Popular books in Malayalam produced at a later period based on
Marmsltyalay a Chandrika were also covered in this connection. Conceptc;. principles
and procedures dealt witlt in these textc, are discussed in chapters IV and V.

2.3 Dlscu�lons with practitioners and experts

lne gaps left in underst'lnding the traditional architecture through literature

Rtudy have been filled with the discussions witJ1 loc.11 prnditioncrs and expe11s
(Appendix D). ll1e local craftsmen popularly known as Tac/um or Asari (Carpenter)
are well versed in local customs and practices. 'Ihe discussions with them n"1ealed
valuable infonnation regarding regional stylistic variations in constructions. 'lhcse are
part of the loc;il craft skill ;ind not mentioned in any of the hooks. But this forms a very
impo1tant and valuable soufl'c of information.

ln t.raJilional system experts were given freedom to do things according to }"11/ai

(discretion), /shtam (functional need of the client) and Ruchi (aesthetic values) within
tlte broader framework of traditional principles. It appears that each master craftsman
established his originality by deciding a style, very much like an indiv idual style and
this was passed on to his disciples. 111c particular style tJ1us helped to evolve distinct
local fonus in residential archilecture.

2.4 Field study nnd Uocumentulinn

'Ilic first hand information on regional styles and local variations tJ1ercin, is
possible only by studying the specimens. This is done through field study. To gel a
comprehensive idea regarding the regional variations, location') are selected such tltat
they cover tl1e entire KeraJa State. A pilot suivey was conducted by tJ1e author for tJ1is
purpose covering Kcrala. From this survey nine nrnjor aspects influencing the regional
style have.· been iJcntified, namely

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1) Visual character.
2) Structural systenL
3) BuilJingtype.
4) Materials used for superstructure.
5) System of determining the prime dimension.
6) Measuring scale used in consbuction.
7) { Jnits of perimeter.
&) Roof framing pattern.
9) System of sup1xlrting ridge.

V lsunl character

Visual aspect is very important in determining tile architectural �tyle of a

particular region. In traditional architecture of Ker.Ila the most prominent visual element -
is the sloping roof. TI1e roofs can be categorised into 3 types 1) Roof without gables, 2)
Roof with straight gables and 3) Roof with upward sloping gables.

Structural system

'Ille structural system in traditional architecture can be catq_!.m-iscd Into 1) Load

bearing type and 2) Framed type, mainly seen in timber walled buildings.

Building type

According to the type tl1e buildings can be 1) Single storied and 2) More than
one storey.

Materials used for super structure

NI over Kerala laterite is used for foundation and h:asement Roof is invariably
of timber with thatch or tiles used for roofing. Based on materials used for walls building
can be categorised into two types as 1) Where laterite is used and 2) where timber is
use<l.

System of th•lHmining the prime dimension

The prime dimension is the perimeter of theAaroodham (principal roof support)

whid1 is determined in two ways I) Internally - the internal dimensions 0f Aaroodlwm
is taken and 2) Externally - the external dimension of t11e Aaroodluun is taken.

11
Measuring scale used in construction

The standard scale used for con struction is Kol (cubit). From studies it has heen
found that at le-ast three measurements for the Kol are used in Kernla; A Kol of 72 cm
long, anot.hcr 73.5 cm long an<l the d1ird 76 cm long. Accordingly the huil<lings are
catego1ised into three.

Units of pt>rimeter

Tbe perimeter to check itc, auspiciousness is given in either Padam or Angulam

units. Dimensions in the fom1er are in Kol and Padam while that in the latter will be in
Kol and Angulam.

Roof framing pattern

IL has been obsctvcd that tl1c buildings c;m be categorised int.o tlu·ec types as
per the roof framing pattern, viz. 1) where all the rafters are arranged i n a slanting
pattern, 2) where rafters on either sides of the building are slanting and joined at the
endc; of the ridge while otJ1crs in between are straight and 3) where principal rafters, hip
rafters and jack rafters are provided.

System of supporting ridge

The ridge is arranged in two ways 1) '!he ridge is square or n.'Ct.angular nnd
forms part of the roof structure with ratters fixed on to it 2) Ridge is rect:mgular, but
it is placed horizontaJJy, and acts as a link rat.her t11an as a strndural memher.

To get t.he full rcpn..>sentation of Ult" above nine factors in tJ1c survey, sampks
were selected from locations dist1·ibute<l over the cntfre length ol Kera la from Kc111jangad
in the NortJ1 t.o Parassala in tl1c South. 'll1ese were group<.--d into 9 locations as p,ivcn in
TalJlc, (2.1) which summaris<.'S thc presence of katurr...� identified in t.hc huildints
surveyed in each location. Two other sites, where an entirely different housing type
exists were also included in the field study. ll1ey are l) Ncnmara near Palghat nnd 2)
Karamana near Trivandrnm. 'll1ese houses hdonged to pcopk migrated from nearby
stak·s and se1tkd in Kcrala in Grmnnms. vc1y difkrl'n1 from K<'rala scttlrments. 'l11e
fusion of two entirely different system to suit local conditions was thou.c,ht worthy to he
included in this study.

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2.S Selection of samples

Samples were Rele<:ted from n11 identified lon1lionfi. It was ohse,ved th;it the
number of Flwsalas (unit house) far t.'XCt."t.-<led fJ1c numher of other types of huildin!!,H
including Nalukettu (four salas). The two type� of Dvisala (two salas) and 1risala (three
salas) wcre found to be extremely rare. More complex struc:lurcfi like Ettukettu (8 salas)
. andPathinarukettu ( 16 salas) were however seen occasionally and are treated as special
structures in chapter X. A total of 144 houses from all over Kerala have been thus
covered in thesuIVey and 70 houses have been documented in detail. Arpendix E Table
2.1 gives the distrihutfon of covered samples of type of houses. Selection o( samples
from individu.ll locality was based on the following conditions.

2.S.1 LocatJou

Major traditional settlements were away from t.owns and citi� and hence
buildings mostly in ruml and suhurhan areas .ire selected for documentation. \Vhcn
samples were identified in an area, it was ensured tJ1at these houses have not been altert.-tl
generally beyond recognition of major characteristics. Only buildings still retaining the
traditional fom1 were selected.

2.5.2 Presence of 1Aaroodl1am'

'Aaroodham' is the characteristic feature of traditional house fonns of Kenda.

It is the annular roof support reckoned for taking prime dimension. Hence only houses
witltAaroodhams were seleded for documentation. In Ekasa/as genernlly exlt-riorwall
of the core support'> tl1e Aaroodham. When it is not so, close examination of the roof
system was made to locate the pre.ence of Aaroodlwm.

2.5.3 Age or House

In the !;1st few decades, tl1ere has bC4�11 a steady decline in the traditional
architectural constructfon, as ll1e higher it1Cl)1UC grnup e.xhihited a prdercn�e in f;wour

13
of modem houses both in urban and rural area. The present su1vey hence covered only
traditional builJings of more than 50 years old

2.S.4 Functional Aspects

Only buildings which are primarily occupied for � residential use were
considered for this study. Other buildings such as Patlrayappura (store house),
Padi11p,1rt1 (gat(• house), Oot111pura (dining hall) etc. arc documented as ancillary
structures only.

1be Criteria for final scledion of s:unplcs were the folkMling:

1) Access to the house by the sutvey team and the willingness of tlte occupant to
respond to the swvey regarding details.

2) The condition of the building without major faults and repairs to the identified
c haracteris tics.

3) Advil:e of tl1e local Asari for the choice baseJ on his personal knowledge
rcgan.lin� the house.

2.6 Documentation

'Ibe entire documentation reported in this prl�ect was done within a span of 5
years from 1988 to 1993. The author with a group of student architects from the
IJeixirtment of Architecture, College of F.ngineering, Trivandrum went to the locations
already selected and camped there. Documentation was carried out under the personal
guidance and supetvision of the author. 'n1e documt:'nlatiun was <lone in the following
seq_uence.

1. Preli mi narics

from among f11e samples available in a locality 5 lo 15 houses were sek·cte<l.

lbrcc students were assigned for each house - two for taking measurcmentc; and the third
one for preparing sketches on the spot.

14
2. Discussions with tl1c local Asaris

'Ilu.:• local Asar is who helpe<l in tJ1c seledion pron�s wew inte1v iewed lo
a.•H:ertain the salient fc.tfurcs of building art in each location. It covered fe;1furcs such
as h)cal customs, tech niques, tools and building process.

3. Taking measurements

'llie following measurements were l11ken. ;\II horizontal dimensions inclu<ling

. th ose of plinth, foundation, superstructure, internal and external surfaces of th e
Aaroodham and olher Utharams (wall plates), interior of rooms in alt floors, Ni/avara
{cellar) etc.

Positioning and size of doors. windows and other openings. sizes and
dinwnsions of l'olumns,

Vertical dimensions of Padamanam cDistance from ground to U1e w:tll plate),

height of caves, roof, columns l'ciling etc.

Detailed measurement'> of structural elements likeA.aroodltam. othe'f utlwram.r.

ridges, rafters, columns, bracket">, collars, collarpins, beams and other elements.

4. Noting special features

Positioning of Ara (grains tore), Nilavara (cellar), positioning of Aaroodlwm,

special fe:1turcs in rooting, columns etc.

5. Noting Jominenl features

Positioning, sizes and other details of gables, balustrades, staircases, attic,

portico etc.

6. Taking photographs and slides

Pholographs and slides of exteriorn and interiors. s pccial fe:.1tures, details ef<:.

7. Preparation of sketches

Rough sketches of plan, elevation and section and of the special fc.,tun� and
d<.'t�1ils W<.'rc prcp;1rt..-<l at the site itself.

15
8. Discussions with the owner

To gel the Jetai]s r�a1din1! lhe site dimensions. rn"'h:1ble year of construction.
Jk.�-.itit)ning oJ lhe huilding with H'SJll."t:I In lht• nile. loc,ti,u, ol lht• S1111l.:11. ;allt'uli t,n 01
d1angcs in the building.. funclional asi-�·\:ts de.

9. Preparation of scale dra\1.·ing

Ikfore leaving e.:Kh loc:ation scale drawinJ!_s of all specinwns wne prepared in
standard scale either in F.P.S. or in Metric.

10. Sl."Cond verification

A second verificati-..'lll to make sure that important ilimensions and details are
not missed and to make correction if anv.

11. Preparation of Final drawings

The final drawings were prqnred in a standard formal in pen and ink of selectro
buildings in each site.

Aesthetic details, details regarding sculpture,. can:ing etc. were left out

For analytical study. lhevarious measurements were('onverted to the traditional

scale and tabulated in Appendix R Obseivations and R.'SUlts from the field study are
discussed in Chapter VJ.
 /-- - ---~

Without gabllE Straight gablq Upward gablt

1. Visual characteristics

I
Fram~d Load ~arjng

2. Structu~al systlzms

I.

Intunal Extqrnal
Singl~ Mott than 0 ne

3. Ty pe 5· System of m~asuremcznts

Fi 9 2.1 MAJOR ASPECTS I NFLUE NC ING REGIONAL STYLE

 ,- _,-:: -~
--

WOOD L Al ERll E
4. Mat~rial used for superstructure

i i

i i
-i. 3.Scm-- i-
t
.• 7Scm ·-----i-
6. Measur~ m~nt of scal~
I I I I
3Kol 2 Pa dam

JlIIIIIIII
3 Kol 9 Angul um
7. Units of perimeter

ALL SLAN11NG SLAN11NG II. SlRAIGH1 ALL Sl RAlGIH

8'. Roof f~aming pattern

VERllCAL 1-100120 N1AL

19. System of support i ng ridge
Fig 2.1 MAJOR ASPECTS INFL UENCI NG REGIONAL STYLE
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