Ayanat Parayil ‘ettukettu’ at Thycattussarry, about 3kms from Olavipe, is one of the oldest and largest among the Parayil heritage homes. Because of the length of the building, inner compound walls and the trees around, no photographer has been able to capture it in one picture.
The portion known as ‘Meda’ is believed to have been in existence for over 250 years. Though Velliara was the ‘Tharavad’ (see A Kerala Tharavad.), Ayanat was also occupied at least by the middle of the 18th century. (See A unique prayer.) The ancestor who built the St. Antony’s Church at Thycattussarry, which was consecrated in 1791, stayed at Ayanat to supervise the construction.
The ground floor of the ‘Meda’ is granary. The first floor has a drawing room and bedrooms. This portion which is connected to the main house by a curved corridor is due for periodic repairs. The house is well maintained. It costs a fortune of course.
My cousin Paul (PH Paul Tharakan) and his wife stay there – just the two of them!
The photographs below (copyright reserved) were taken by my nephew Ebbey Tharakan. He is a remarkable chap. I must write about him someday.
Eastern entrance
Another view from the east
View from the west.
Given below are photos of the 'Meda'.
Click on images to enlarge.
Also see: Kerala architecture: Mansion of the Marquises
18 comments:
A really beautiful house
wonderful... Mr.T, I hope I get to go see this place when I am home next....
What a beautiful house! I wish I could see all these houses one day. Its a bit ironic that we travel all over the world to see the heritage of other cultures and yet are so ignorant of our own ( maybe I should add that I speak for myself ).
That dovecote in the last photo looks a bit sad all boarded up like that. I wonder which animal-loving ancestor had it built.
One question that has been nagging at me for sometime now : is all of Olavipe and its surroundings filled with that white sand instead of soil?
In the last photo is the 'Pravum Kood'boarded up or are they doors/shutters?
Ashvin, at this rate you won't be home but on the road most of the time you are in Kerala next. Shall I add this house too in the already long list from Tvm to Palghat?
Dear AT sir,
I find the house a wonderful example of Kerala Architecture. We need to preserve these heritage buildings for which the government intiative is called for. Just as they do in England, the local administration should categorize the buildings in the area based on the age and architectural importance. Then the government should follow up this by extending all financial and other supports to preserve these beautiful specimens for posterity.
I would like to have a closer view of these buildings.I design and build houses in different parts of the state and I would like to incorporate features that can be assimilated into modern kerala architecture after studying these old houses with unique Kerala features.Whom should I contact?
Nothing but a masterpiece.
Thank you Anonymous.
Ashvin, it is really worthwhile visiting the heritage homes, particularly those in Kerala.
Sunita, yes, it is a beautiful house.
I was also rather baffled by the screened dovecote. Actually there are two of them. You can see the base of one, a round pillar, to the right in the middle photo.
The reason for boarding them, my cousin Paul tells me, is to protect the doves. Crows intrude into the pigeon home and eat up the eggs.
To prevent that three sides are blocked and the side facing the house is left open. The crows don't venture into the dark interiors.
There is white sand in the middle portion of Olavipe island. In the other parts we have grayish or dark sand or clay.
Nebu, please see my response to Sunita's comment.
Murali, you are so right.
Actually there are some Central Government sponsored schemes for maintaining heritage structures. I don't know who actually gets the benefit, if at all.
I am told that the Panchayat house tax has been recently hiked almost five times. It is calculated on per sq.ft. basis. You can imagine how it hits the larger houses.
Mr. V.H. Thomas, that is a noble objective. I am sure many features of heritage homes of Kerala can be meaningfully integrated into modern house designs.
Please email me at abrahamtharakan1@gmail.com
and I can give you details of whom to contact.
Thank you Kariyachan.
agree with Sunita, a really beautiful house!
What A beauty!
I really Enjoyed the photos. Given me nostalgic of our tharavadu.
Such a beautiful home design can only find in Kerala.
Fantastic! Happy to see somebody maintaining their heritages
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