Kerala Architecture
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Kerala, God’s Own Country is unique in its architecture style from other regions and states of India, the main divisions of Kerala architecture are temple architecture and Vasthu.
Temple architecture of Kerala is influenced by the geography of the region characterized by tropical climate and land variation. The steep roofs are made to shed rain. Copper sheets cover the roofs. The roofs of Kerala are similar to those of Himalayan regions and East Asia. In circular sanctum, the roof is conical and in the square plan, the roof is pyramidal. The roofs are built from wood and copper plates. Most of the temples are renovated. In totality the amalgamation of stonework, woodwork, stuccowork and painting all complete the Kerala temple. There are separate theater hall in the temples in which Kathakali dance or other performing arts are performed.
The inner side of the temple is made of wood and the base and upper side are made of granite and laterite. Mural art on the walls is an important feature of Kerala temple.
The developing trend of temple architecture influenced the domestic architecture of Kerala. The primitive model of circular, square or rectangular plain is designed with a ribbed roof. The walls were mostly made of timbers as timber wood is available in Kerala.
The mosque architecture of Kerala doesn’t display the features of the Arabic style or those of the Indo-Islamic architectures popular in North India. The main reason behind this that the local artisans built the mosque under the guidance of Muslim heads.
The Dutch, Jews, Portuguese and the Europeans (British & French) all influenced the architecture of Kerala. Many of the forts, warehouses and bungalows at Kochi, Calicut, and Kannur were built in the design drawn by the Portuguese architect Thomas Fernandez. The Portuguese features seen with Kerala architecture are projecting balconies, Gothic arches and cast iron window grill work. The Church architecture has its origins in two sources—works of Syrian Christians and European missionary work. British architecture is seen in the British made bungalows built in keeping in mind the tropical climate.
