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Reminders
of a hoary past
Manas and Tharavads were once the symbols
of aristocracy in Kerala... However, time has dealt a heavy blow
and the last of the surviving ones are fighting a losing battle |
 The
land reforms act implemented in the State in 1960s ended landlordism
and feudalism. As a result the landed aristocracy lost vast tracts
of land and along with it the income to preserve their feudal
living.
Thus many `Manas' (Brahmin houses) and `Tharavads' (Nair houses)
did not have the economic power to preserve these houses and
were demolished. Sadly, the last of the remaining ones too are
on the verge of demolition.
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Art forms
The
landed aristocracy were also patrons of art forms such as Kathakali,
percussions, classical music,
literature, Vedic and Sanskrit education. Some
of the Manas and Tharavads were the centres of
arts and culture.
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Oblivion
The erstwhile landlords, mainly Brahmins and Nairs of
Palakkad, had to relinquish all their splendour, as thousands
of acres of their land were taken over by the Government without
paying any compensation. Soon enough most of the famous Manas
and Tharavads, including Pumully Mana, Kollengode Kovilakam,
Kudaloor Mana, Vadasseri Mannadiar House, Ankarath House, Kuthiravattam
Thampan House, etc slipped into oblivion. But there are a few
that have withstood the test of time such as the Olappamanna
Mana, which is more than 300 years old.
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Institution
The Mana is not just a home. It is rather an institution where
many people live apart from the owners, with specific duties assigned
for each one.
The present popular form of Kathakali, namely Kalluvazhi Chitta
originated at Olappamanna Mana, nearly 150 to 200 years ago. The
Olappamanna Kaliyogam (School of Kathakali) was merely transplanted
at Kerala Kalamandalam by Mahakavi Vallathol for perfecting the
art form, says O.N. Damodaran Namboodiripad of Olappamanna Mana.
The Mana was home to famous Malayalam poets Olappamanna Subramanian
Namboodiripad and O.M. Anujan and writer Sumangala among others.
None other than the great Carnatic musician Chembai Vaidyanatha
Bhagavathar was a teacher at this Mana.
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Fund crunch
The main building is known as `Ettu Kettu' (Eight structures with
two open quadrangle) having two each halls on the eastern
side, western side and the southern side, one at the central
portion and one at northern side.
Mr. Damodaran Namboodiripad says that it had become impossible
for the owners to stay in such a big house without sufficient servants
and inmates. The maintenance of the building itself is very costly
and the present owners are struggling for want of funds.
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Heritage home
Hence attempts are being made to preserve it as a heritage home by
opening it up for tourists.
The tourists can see the architectural marvel of the old construction
mainly using rosewood, teak and jackfruit trees.
They can also imbibe the specialities of construction used to beat
the summer heat and thieves. They can see the large bathing tank,
the snake temple, the old utensils used, the old large Chinese porcelain
pots, the old wet grinders, the elephant costumes, the bronze large
lamps, swords, old balances, old fire proof iron safe, etc among
other artefacts. The tourists can also enjoy the art and culture
forms of Kerala. There are entertainments such as Kalam Ezhuthu Pattu.
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Preserve
By
converting this Mana as a heritage home, its present owners are trying
to preserve a hoary past of architectural marvel and cultural
heritage.
But one of the two surviving Pathinarukettu (sixteen structures)
that is likely to be demolished is the Mooppil Nair Tharavad at Mannarkkad.
This is said to be the only Pathinarukettu in Kerala and the other
being the one at Thalassery.
Its 15-member family is unable to maintain it and has been under
lock and key for long a time now.
The owners are trying to sell it. But nobody is willing to buy it.
K. Krishnan Embrandiri, a retired engineer and an expert in Vasthu
Sastra, says that the demolition of old Manas and Tharavads is a
big loss for the traditional Kerala architecture.
These beautiful structures are made
on Vasthu principles, in harmony with nature. There should be some
mechanism to preserve these architectural
marvels.
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