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A CRITICAL STUDY ON HERITAGE

CONSERVATION: MUZIRIS, KERALA
1
K V Nirupama, 1Professor, 1University College of Architecture and Planning,
1
Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, India

Abstract:
Historic assets create a focal point that people can relate to their past and are familiar with – giving a sense
of place. Our built heritage represents the very best of our past. It also provides a huge resource that can
play an important role in the future of our towns, cities and rural areas in terms of the stimulus provided to
regeneration and the promotion of sustainable development. Evidence from across the country demonstrates
that ‘Heritage Works’ is a valuable asset that has an important role to play as a catalyst for regeneration,
redevelopment, rehabilitation, revitalization. Working with heritage assets brings a unique set of issues to
the development process, such as understanding the special conservation, planning, funding and
construction matters associated with them. The process also requires specialist knowledge, where expertise
in any of these areas is lacking, projects can fail. The study has concentrated on listing buildings, as these
heritage assets are most commonly associated with regeneration projects. Heritage assets are a key
component of sustainable development. The re-use of such assets can be used to boost local economies,
attract investment, highlight local distinctiveness and add value to neighbouring properties.

Index Terms - Heritage; Conservation; Critical study; Muziris; Paliam Nalukettu

I. AIM OF THE STUDY:
The aim of the study is to focus on the key concepts of Historic significance, Historic integrity and Historic
context. The main purpose is to document the existing historic assets in a way to elevate the historic
importance to the public and make them to understand the importance of sense of a place for protecting and
preserving India’s living, built, and natural heritage.
II. INTRODUCTION
In India, the first instance of conservation was when Emperor Ashoka ordered to conserve wildlife in the
3rd century BC. Then in the 14th century AD, Firuz Shah Tughlaq ordered to protect ancient buildings.
Later, during the British Rule, the “Bengal Regulation (XIX)” was passed in 1810, and the “Madras
Regulation (VII)” was passed in 1817. These regulations vested the government with the power to intervene
whenever the public buildings were under threat of misuse. Then in 1863, Act XX was passed which
authorised the government to “prevent injury to and preserve buildings remarkable for their antiquity or for
their historical or architectural value”. However, many historic structures were destroyed by the government
(pre independence) itself in Shahjahanabad. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in
1861 to initiate legal provision to protect the historical structures all over India. The “Ancient Monuments
Preservation Act (VII)” was passed in 1904 which provided effective preservation and authority over the
monuments, and in 1905 for the first time, 20 historic structures in Delhi were ordered to be protected. At
the time of independence, 151 buildings and complexes in Delhi were protected by the central ASI. The
State Department of Archaeology was set up in 1978 in Delhi, but it lacks the power to acquire or protect
buildings, and merely looks after some monuments de-notified by ASI. In 1984, Indian National Trust for

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Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) was founded to stimulate awareness for conservation of cultural
heritage among the people.

III. SELECTED AREA FOR THE STUDY: MUZIRIS, KERALA

IV. HISTORY:
The story of Muziris starts from early 3000 BC when Babylonians, Assyrians and Egyptians came to the
Malabar Coast in search for the spices. Later these Middle-East groups were joined by Arabs and
Phoenicians. And gradually Muziris in Kodungallur entered into the cartography of World trade map. Then
onwards Muziris holds the key to a good chunk of Kerala's ancient history now the ancient trade route.
V. MUZIRIS IN MYTHOLOGY:
Muziris was a port city, among the earliest of its kind in the world. Spice City to the ancient reporters,
Muziris was also known as Murachipattanam.

Figure: 1 –map showing muzuris heritage landmarks

VI. FROM THE HISTORIC EVIDENCES:
When Kerala established itself as a major center for spice, it was the ancient port of Muziris that emerged as
its hub. Sangam literature describes Roman ships coming to Muziris laden with gold to be exchanged for
pepper. According to the first century annals of Pliny, the Elder and the author of Periplus of the Erythrean
Sea, Muziris could be reached in 14 days' time from the Red Sea ports in Egyptian coast purely depending
on the monsoon winds. However, tragedy struck in 1341, when the profile of the water bodies in the Periyar
River basin on the Malabar Coast underwent a major transformation - and Muziris dropped off the map due
to flood and earthquake. However, the remnants of the port and its erstwhile glory still remain as reminders
of an eventful past. They are being conserved and preserved for future generations through one of India's
largest conservation projects - the Muziris Heritage Project. Supplementing the Muziris heritage sites are 21
museums and other landmarks that aim to educate people about 2000 years of Kerala history.
VII.MUZIRIS PRESENT:
The Muziris Heritage Project is one of the biggest conservation projects in India, where the state and the
central governments have come together to conserve a rich culture that is as old as 3000 years or more. This
region forms a part of the heritage tourism circuit between North Paravur in Ernakulam and Kodungallur in
Thrissur. Shrines, forts, palaces, seminaries, cemeteries, boatyards and markets spread over the municipality
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of North Paravur to the municipality of Kodungallur will be preserved accordingly. Various performing arts
that represent the non-physical aspect of the Muziris region are also under the process of conservation. In
the initial phase of the project, four of the 27 museums have been opened to the public- the Paliam
Nalukettu, Paliam Dutch Palace, the Chendamangalam Jewish synagogue and the Paravur Jewish
synagogue. Two archaeological sites, Pattanam and Kottappuram where archaeological excavations and
explorations are being undertaken will also be in focus. Many artifacts of interest have been unearthed at
various sites in North Paravur-Kodungallur region of Kerala, through excavations as part of the Muziris
Heritage Project .Utensils, clothes, coins, agricultural tools and inscriptions on plates or papyrus, along with
folklore makes us to understand the lives of the people of that time.
VIII.MUZIRIS IN ANCIENT LITERATURE AND MANUSCRIPTS:
Tracing back to the history of Muziris is not an easy task. Ancient literature provides some vital clues in this
regard. Early Tamil literature known as Sangam Literature and the Greco-Roman accounts are clear in
linking this port town with the early Cheras.Present Chendamangalam, in the Muziris heritage region, and
the original name of which was Jayanthamangalam, named after the Pandyan King Jayanthan, supports the
view that Pandyan sway extended up to Periyar in the 7th century AD. The fact that 10 out of 13 important
Vaishnavite temples of Malanadu were situated south of river Periyar in the 9th century indicates the
Pandyan influence in the region during the time of Jatila Parantaka (765-815) who claimed to be a Parama
Vaishnava. Part of Malabar, south of Kerala, was under the sway of the Pandyans of Madura. In the first
century AD, Pliny has recorded that Neacinda in the Pamba valley was in the domain of the
Pandyans.Musiri was subjected to attacks from the pirates of Nitrias. And the attack of the Nitrians must be
in reprisal to the conquest of Musiri by the Chera King. And the Tamil literature Agom 2 says that Utian
Cheral was the first Chera king whose territory is said to have extended up to the Western sea.
The Muziris heritage utilizes at a global level the possibilities of a region, which lost its glory centuries ago.
Muziris is an ancient port town in little Kerala still holds a kind of beauty that is filled with history and
culture. And through the project, we get ready to travel back in time for centuries. The old port town dishes
out to us along with history and culture, are the remnants of its past glory, still observable in features like
place-names, architecture, diet etc.
The Muziris Heritage reinstates the historical and cultural significance of the legendary port of Muziris. The
region is dotted with numerous monuments of a bygone era that conjure up a vast and vivid past.
IX. PROJECT:1 - PALIAM NALUKETTU:
Kerala is witnessing an interesting trend in home architecture: the return of the traditional ‘Nalukettu’. It has
architectural roots from Buddhism which once prevailed in the area. Temple architecture was incorporated
into domestic and public buildings.
The history of the Nalukettu style of architecture is an interesting one.
Nalukettu architecture is basically a rectangular shaped structure, wherein four halls are joined together with
an inner courtyard called ‘Nadumuttam’ which faces the open sky.
The four halls on the sides are named:
 Vadakkini (Northern block), Kizhakkini (Eastern block),
 Thekkini (Southern block) and Padinjatti (Western block).
Nalukettu also consists of a basement storage room called “Nilavara”.Many believe that this form of
architecture have been inspired from the “Pagodas” of South Asia and Aryan Culture.
The union of four blocks is vital in Nalukettu.
The open courtyard to which these four blocks faces is also very important when its considered in terms of
dimensional ratios and size.

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Location:
--Paliam Nalukettu is located in the village of chendamangalamnear paravur in ernakulam district.
--It is a typical self contained
Malayali house has been converted
into Kerala Lifestyle Museum
featuring a choicest collection of
articles.

Figure: 2 - façade of nalukettu palace

--It was built to house the female members of the paliyam
family around 450 years old.
--It is typical kerala style house with a central courtyard
(nadumuttam) and rooms placed on all four sides of it.

Figure: 3
- map of nalukettu palace

Orientation:
 Naalukettu faces south- direct sunlight from late
morning to early afternoon
 It’s a single structure within a compound wall
 At the time of construction it was an isolated
area which allowed free circulation of wind and
air without any obstruction
 Very few trees around, almost barren.

Type of Structure: Two Storied Structure.

Figure: 4 –site plan

PALIAM NALUKETTU:

Paliam Nalukettu's are the traditional homesteads (tharavads) where several

generations of a matrilineal joint family lived together. Nalukettu consists of
a main house along with a few satellite houses. Portico, Inner Hall, Kitchen
and four blocks - Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western - constitute the
different parts of a traditional Nalukettu. The design and construction
pattern are closely linked to the life cycle of women in the family, their
rituals, beliefs and celebrations. Nalukettu was occupied by the women of
Paliam Noble family who followed matrilineal system. This structure is also
an epitome of the traditional housing architecture of Kerala. Nalukettu
museum presents to the visitor, the architectural model of Nalukettu and
various social-cultural and economic practices from the feudal era. This
classical structure was built by the elder member of the family in the year
1786, for the women and minor boys of Paliam. It has a big courtyard at the
centre with rooms surrounding it and Purathalam, where the members
gathered to chat and for recreational
activities. There used to be a common dining hall and a common kitchen as
all the members lived and dined together, under the protection of Valiachan.
The boys, when they became majors, had separate bachelor living quarters
and after their marriage, the administration provided them houses. This style of 'community living'
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continued till the partition of the joint family. The last members left the Nalukettu after the family partition
deed, and so the building is no longer occupied.

Figure: 4 - layout of nalukettu palace

Ground Floor Consists of:

 Kitchen
 Kizhakkini
 Thekkini
 Delivery Rooms
 Ara and Hidden Basement

Figure: 5 – ground floor plan

First Floor consists of:

 The four private bedrooms which are just
separated using wooden boards
 Vallyamma is considered to be the most
superior and hence her room is the largest of
all which is again in the first floor.

Figure: 6 – first floor plan

 Plinth height= 2’4”

 Verandah height= 1’9”
 Since paravur was a flood prone area this
plinth height protected from the floods to
an extend protection from insects and other
organisms protection against dampness

Figure: 7 – section

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X. ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES:
 The Nalukettu is a typical self-contained Malayali house, a quadrangle building consisting of four
blocks, with a rectangular courtyard in the centre known as the "nadumittam".
 The western block or "padinjattini" is divided into three rooms the middle one of which is the private
strong room or "ara" where all the valuables and house hold deities are kept.
 The north east block or "vadakkini" is divided into two parts, the kitchen and the dining room.
 The other rooms in the north quarter houses general rooms.
 The whole or the middle portions of the eastern and southern blocks"kizhakkini and tekkini" are open
halls where guests are received;
 The same on the upper floors consist of bedrooms for the women, where they are met by their
husbands occasionally in the night.
 Every structure faces the sunlight, and in some well designed naalukettu, there is excellent ventilation.
Temperatures, even in the heat of summer, are markedly lower within the naalukettu.
 Base model is normally square, rectangular, circular plain shapes with ribbed roof evolved from
functional consideration.
 Long, steep sloping roof which make the building look low rise.
 Gable windows were used which provided for air circulation and thermal control.
 Detached buildings
 Passive method of climate control
 Plinth height is usually 1’-6” (450 mm).
 Extension of roof after base is 2’-6” to 3’-0” (750 to 900 mm) acting as a rain shade
 Sothern wall in thekkinipura and western wall of vadakkinipura are 24cms thicker than other walls
 Rooms: North-Treasury; NE-Prayer room; East-Bathroom; SE-Kitchen;
South-Bedroom; SW-Armory; NW-Cowshed; West-Drawing room
 The building materials like red bricks, mud and woods used in Nalukettu were also locally available.
 Walls- made of laterite with sand filling and lime plastering. Walls were 30cm thick which provided
insulation and kept the interiors cool
 Columns: entirely made out of timber
 Karna Sutras (small windows): Ventilation: The nalukett incorporates the principle of karnasutra, an
opening in the form of a small hole is provide in the south west and north east corners. This allows the
passage of air, light and magnetic flux diagonally through the house. For Perfect air circulation inside;
Placed below 5’0”

5’0”

Figure: 8 – wall elevation showing karna sutras - detail

 Flooring: Surkhi flooring-cool interiors;egg plastering: making the floor smooth and shiny; the
delivery room had tiles laid which was imported during that time from foreign countries; Floors were
made in three different levels- the ara and thekkini were raised to a height of 1’4” and the basement
below the ara.
 Courtyard: It plays a very important role in controlling the temperature within the house.

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 Verandas on all four sides that lead to various rooms. Moreover, since ladies were not allowed to go
outside, therefore this was their only place for interaction.

Figure: 9 – passive cooling in the courtyard

 Windows: provided at a height of 1’9”from the floor upto a height of 5’2”. They are made of timber
frame and timber panels; the overhangs extend so as to limit the direct entry of sunrays
through the windows
 Roof: Traditional pitched roof with a slope of 45 degree supported over timber frames
covered with traditional roofing clay tiles; the pitched slope enables the easy drain of rainwater;
extended over the verandah at a length of 1m which protects the walls from direct heat and rains
 Machu: Similar to a false ceiling provided beneath the roof, which is made of timber.
It creates a layer of air between the ceiling and the roof which act as an insulator that prevents the
conduction of exterior heat through the roof. Ventilations are provide between machu and the rooms.
 Poomukham: It is the welcoming space of the house. It has a raised platform for gatherings; the
sloping roofs are clearly visible here.

Figure: 10 – poomukham

 The first floor had wooden jallies below the windowsill around that opened to the courtyard. Even the
ara and secret passage in the basement were also provided with ventilation.There were no windows
provided for the private bedrooms.
 Vallyamma’s Room: It is the largest room in the house. It has glass windows which increases heat
compared to the other rooms. Jallies are provided below the windows for air circulation.
 Timber panelling done on all four walls

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Figure: 11 – vallyamma’s room

Figure: 12 –thekkini Figure: 13 – kizhakkini

Figure: 14 - nilavara. Figure: 15 – first floor corridor

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XI. ANALYSIS:
Temperature:
 Materials used helped in reducing the temperature.
 Overhangs were provided at a considerable length which prevented the direct exposure of walls to
sunlight.
 Provision of machu.
 Courtyard.
 Thick walls.
Wind:
 The bedrooms were provided in the south west and west directions which made maximum utilization
of natural wind.
 Karnasuthra that runs from south west to north east.
 Kitchen was placed in the north east direction so that the wind would flow out of the kitchen.
Rain:
 Pitched roofs and eave boards helped in the drainage of rain water.
 Overhangs protected walls from coming into direct contact with rain.

REFERENCES
[1] Handbook of Conservation of Heritage Buildings
[2] Heritage works – the use of historic buildings – a tool kit of good practice
[3] www.intach.org
[4] https://www.muzirisheritage.org/
[5] https://www.scribd.com/presentation/347952372/Keralaarchitecture-151005035817-Lva1-App6891
[6] www.keralatourism.org
[7] http://www.muzirisheritage.in/
[8] http://asi.nic.in/ (ASI-Archaeological survey of india)
[9] http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/muziris-rises-from-the-ruins-as-one-of-indias-
largest-tourism-projects-kerala/
[10] http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/New-finds-at-Muzuris-heritage-
excavation/article15211870.ece
[11] https://www.indiatoday.in/travel/heritage/story/muziris-keralas-new-heritage-site-for-tourists-310677-
2016-02-26
[12] Conservation development plan for muzuris heritage site-Kerala state government
[13] Westminister world heritage site management plan
[14] Pattanam archaeological site-KCHR house,India

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