Indira Gandhi Rashtirya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) has a wonderful treasure of housing patterns in its open air exhibitions providing insight to understand life and culture of various Indian communities living in different geo-climatic zones. The Coastal Village is one such exhibition enabling visitors to understand the socio-cultural life of Indian coastal communities.
The Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) launched a new series to display online the exhibits with the aim of digitally connecting everyone with them due to lock-down during the current COVID-19 epidemic. Under this series, today
“Naalkettu of kerala”— a traditional house type from Kerala— was presented online with its basic information, photographs and videos.
Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director, IGRMS, said that the main objective of this series is to highlight the aesthetic features of traditional lifestyles, local knowledge and culture’s continuing relevance with modern society. Rakesh Bhatt, the officer in-charge of the exhibition area said that the Joint family system has been a significant feature of India social structure and its best examples are visible among the rural communities. In this episode, an attempt will be made to understand such a distinct social system through a house type in this exhibition.
Naalukettu is a traditional house type transplanted in 1990 from Mannady village of Pathanamthitta district of kerala. The museum is an excellent example of vernacular architecture following certain limitations and restrictions as narrated in Vaastushatra.
Naalukettu is basically a pattern of housing structure which were constructed during 15th-18th century for two major communities Nambuthiri Brahmins and Nair warriors of Kerala. These Naalukettus were owned by matrilineal joint family and the property used to be inherited from mother to daughter & granddaughter. The present exhibit installed at IGRMS was also owned by the members of a joint family of more than ten generations since 18th century. Traditionally, the Naalukettu of the Brahmins or Nambudiri were known as Illams or Manas, where as that of theNayar’s were known as Tarawads.
High quality craftsmanship of Acharies — the traditional carpenters — can be seen here. Superior quality stone, Laterite and timber (Local wood) that is abundant in Kerala have been used as main materials for construction.
Roof of the structure is thatched with coconut leafs. Most significant feature of the Naalukettu is the open central courtyard called Nadumuttam, enclosed by four rectangular halls of the main house and a Verandah. Each hall has a different name and purpose. For example, Kizhakkini, the east facing portion, was meant for entertaining guests, Padinjattini west facing hall (portion/room) served for storage purpose, all the grains and valuables of house-hold were kept here, the north facing portion Vedakkini was meant for women folks and the south facing Thekkini was considered most sacred used as Pooja Ghar.
This portion was reigned by the senior most male member of the family called Karnavar.
