Vaastu is an ancient Indian science of architecture and buildings which helps in making a congenial setting or a place to live and work in a most scientific way taking advantage of the benefits bestowed by nature, its elements and energy fields for enhanced wealth, health, prosperity and happiness. Vaastu gives us useful and practical tips on how to create a healthy and harmonious living and work environment. It offers suggestions for placement of plant and machinery, office equipment, and furniture. It also gives ideas on harmonizing colours and materials.

Vaastu is a part of Vedas, which are believed to be four to five thousand years old. Through penance and meditation yogis of that period acquired answers believed to have come from the cosmic mind itself to their questions. Hence Vedas are heeded with divine knowledge. The art of Vasstu originates in the Stapatya Veda, a part of the Atharva Veda.

The Vaastu, with word meaning 'dwelling', is believed to be the residing places of god and man. According to its modern meaning it covers all buildings irrespective of their use like residences, industries, business establishments, lodges, hotels etc. It is based on the five basic and essential elements, such as Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Jal (water), Bhumi (earth) and Aakasha (space), which are known as Panchabhutas. Everything on earth is built from these elements.

Proofs of vaastu shastra can be found during the time of Ramayan and Mahabharat. Even in the cities of Mohanjodaro and Harappa the application of Vaastu shastra can be seen. Since the science goes far back to the times of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna there are many interesting mythological stories concerning the origin of Vaastupurush (the deity).

The whole world, including the human body, comprises of five essential elements, i.e. space (sky), air, fire, water and earth. There is a co-relation between these elements and man's five senses of hearing, touch, sight, taste and smell, with instruments of perception being ears, skin, tongue and nose respectively. The principles of Vaastu are mainly dependant on the arrangement and balancing of these five elements in their proper order and proportion so that humans can have better conditions in a place in which they live or work.

Kerala remained a farming community till recently with rigid caste class distinctions. Situated in the south western corner of the country, and guarded by seas and high mountains, Kerala for a long time enjoyed isolation and was out of the way of the great migrations and invasions. Settlement patterns from early times remained the homestead unlike that of the other cultural types like ancient, early, and medieval Hindu Mughal or even that of the Tamil Brahmin "agraharams" types.

The traditional building types of these tharawads were nalukettu (four blocks), ettukettu (eight blocks), pathinarukettu (sixteen blocks) - the multiples of a basic chatursala type. Chatursala, according to texts, is an interconnected four blocked building around a central courtyard called anganam or nadumuttam. The lower class types mainly remained ekasala - the one sided. The four blocks are the vadakini, thekkini, kizakkini and padinjattini according to their corresponding cardinal locations of N,S,E,W respectively. Vadakkini houses the kitchen and dining, padinjatini, the bedroom and granary, thekkini and kizhakkini are halls and rooms for visitors.

These buildings were laid and constructed following elaborate rituals and principles according to the traditional texts on Vastu Vidya which were highly articulated prescriptive building guidelines. The guidelines ranged from selection of site, nature of soil, orientation buildings , position of buildings and rooms according to mandalas, to the perimeter of the building, dimensional system, kind of motifs and decorations to be used and so on. These buildings demonstrate excellent craftsmanship in wood and a good understanding of construction and building material science.

The structure and form of the roof system with their eaves and gable ears is one of the uncomparable achievements of Kerala's traditional buildings and craftsmanship. The rafter, wall plate, collar pins, ridge beams, and ties join together with surprising sophistication and precision to form a self adjusting lattice. The tiled roof allows for ventilation in hot and humid climate. The pathayam (granary) , thulasithara (platform for the tulasi), and sarpakavu (temple for snakes - snake worship used to be common among the Nairs), were an indispensible part of all tharawads. Pillared verandahs bordered the building and courtyards. Entry was through a gateway called padipura, normally part of the compound wall.

History of Nalukettu

The Nalukettu is the traditional style of architecture of Kerala, wherein a house has a quadrangle in the centre. Originally the abode of the wealthy Brahmin and Nair families, this style of architecture has today become a status symbol among the well to do in Kerala. Nalukettu is evident in the traditional homes of the upper class homestead where customs and rituals were a part of life. The mansion is created using wood and tiles, central open courtyard and wondrous architecture. The interiors of the house are tastefully decorated with a wealth of antiques made from teak, sandalwood, mahogany etc.

Principles Of The Design

The traditional 'Nalukettu', barring the foundation and floor is made of carved and slotted wood and has a close resemblance to East Asian gabled and thatched structures. In later years, tiles replaced the coconut fronds.

The enclosed courtyard or 'ankanam' is usually sunk and therefore called 'Kuzhi (pit) Ankanam'. The protruding roofs of the 'salas' formed shady verandas and protected the rooms from direct sunlight, keeping them cool even on the hottest of days. The inner verandah around the 'ankanam' is open.

The outer verandahs along the four sides of the 'Nalukettu' are enclosed differently. While both the western and eastern verandahs are left open, the northern and southern verandahs are enclosed or semi-enclosed.

Ettukettu is an example of the traditional style of architecture of Kerala. 'Ettu' means 'eight' and 'Kettu' means 'built up sides.' Ettukettu is the house with two quadrangles or mansions with eight salas (square or rectangular living rooms with verandahs on one or more sides) around two courtyards.

The ettukettu is a unique and distinct style of construction. Ettukettu is laid and constructed with rituals and principles according to the Vaastu Vidya. The laws bind everything from selection of site, nature of soil, orientation of buildings, to position of the buildings and rooms. The ettukettu model houses demonstrate excellent craftsmanship in wood, and a good understanding of construction and building material science. Tripunithura Palace is famous for its ettukettu, designed by Velanezhi Jathavedan Namboothiri.

Pathinarukettu is a multi-storeyed mansion with 16 Salas (square or rectangular living rooms with verandahs on one or more sides). The traditional Pathinarukettu is built in accordance with the rules of Vaastu Shastra. Pathinarukettu is a basic chatursala type, an interconnected four blocked building around a central courtyard called 'anganam' or 'nadumuttam.' Krishnapuram palace in Kayamkulam, built about 300 years ago, is in the pathinarukettu style.

Kolkali is a group dance mainly performed by the Muslims. In this highly rhythmic dance, the performers hold short sticks in their hands with which they make the rhythm by beating them. It is performed to the accompaniment of vocal music consisting of meaningless syllables followed by songs. The dance goes from slow to a fast tempo creating an interesting climax. The dancers are specially trained and often experienced in martial arts. Males only participate in Kolkali.