Structures of Power, Spaces of Memory:
Agrarian Houses of Southern Travancore
Nanjilnaadu (now part of Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu), once hailed as the “rice bowl of Travancore,” was renowned for its distinctive landscape, culture, and agrarian way of life. A veritable treasure trove of history, the region was also home to the grand timber homesteads known as the arappura veedukal, typically constructed overlooking the fertile farmlands. Today, only a few of these houses survive to recount the ethos of a lifestyle unfamiliar to the modern generation. Architect Sharat Sunder R weaves a compelling narrative around these dwellings—their unique architectural character, family lore, and the lives of eminent personalities who once emerged from within their walls.
Watch the full talk here:
