Glimpses of Architecture in Kerala : Temples and
Palaces/Ramu Katakam. New
Delhi, Rupa & Company, 2006, 232 p., Photographs, $55. ISBN 81-291-0909-3.
Glimpses of Architecture in Kerala : Temples and
Palaces/Ramu Katakam. New
Delhi, Rupa & Company, 2006, 232 p., Photographs, $55. ISBN 81-291-0909-3.
Contents: Introduction. Nature of the universe. Architecture in Kerala. 1. Sri Mahadeva temple, Ettumanoor. 2. Sri Vadakkunatha Siva temple, Thrissur. 3. Sri Mahadeva temple, Peruvanam. 4. Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswami temple, Thiruvananthapuram. 5. Sri Vallabhaswami Temple, Thiruvalla. 6. Sri Subramanyaswami temple, Haripad. 7. Sri Parasuramaswami temple, Thiruvallam. 8. Sri Mahadeva temple, Vazhapalli. 9. Krishnapuram Palace, near Kayankulam. 10. Sri Mahadeva temple, Vaikom. 11. Wooden houses. 12. Sri Mahadeva temple, Kaviyur. 13. The ten avatars of Vishnu. 14. Sri. Anantha Padmanabhaswami temple, Kumbala. 15. Sri Ramaswami temple, Thiruvangad. 16. Sri Mahavishnu temple, Thirunelli. 17. Sri Ramaswami temple, Thripprayar. 18. Koodalmanikkam Sri Bhartharswami temple, Irinjalakuda. 19. Sri Poornathrayeesa temple, Thripoonithura. 20. Padmanabhapuram Palace, near Thuckalai, Tamil Nadu. 21. Perumthrikkovil Sri Mahadeva temple, Pazhoor. 22. Sri Krishna temple, Karatt. 23. Sri Krishna temple, Tricchambaram. 24. Sri Vamanamoorthy temple, Thrikkakara. Postscript. Map of Kerala. Glossary. Select bibliography. Acknowledgements and photo credits.
"The intention of this book is to explore, through a visual commentary, the extraordinary timber buildings of Kerala in India. Kerala temples in particular are unique to the sub-continent as they are built with wooden roofs and covered by copper tiles. This allows for simplicity of form that is later developed to create beautiful spaces.
The photographs have been composed keeping in mind how a building silhouette interacts with the surrounding sky and landscape. The temples are usually set in an exceptional part of the countryside and the visitor is able to experience a visual feast before entering into the rituals of prayer.
Many visitors from other parts of the world are unable to see these fine examples of architecture, and the following pages will allow a glimpse of the exciting treasures this part of India provides. They are a few examples of a vast array of temples that exist in every corner of the state, The book does not try to explain styles or history of the buildings but concentrates on conveying the way in which an architect perceives these buildings and art. Sri Aurobindo writes that 'Indian architecture should be seen in loneliness, in the solitude of one's self, in moments when one is capable of long and deep meditation and as little weighted as possible with the conventions of material life'.
The narrative, it is hoped, will help with the quest of viewing buildings and space to achieve inner peace." (jacket)