Conservation strategies for the settlement of Aranmula, Kerala

Abstract

This project deals with the historic village of Aranmula, which is located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. It is the central temple and the rituals and festivals associated with the temple along with the specialities of the topography that shaped the settlement and the lives of the people. The thiruvonathoni ritual, Aranmula Uthrittathi vallamkali and Aranmula vallasadya are a few major rituals that still remain significant in the lives of the people of the place even though they have been subjected to the changing lifestyles and outlook of the people today. The study focuses on mapping the built heritage and also the traditional practices that are still living in the village, along with the spaces which cater to these traditional practices and rituals. Effort is also put to identify the building typologies that exist in the village today. A representative structure from each typology is documented to understand the layout of these typologies and the materials that come into play in these structures. Through this work, the significance of the village and the need for conserving both the built fabric and the traditional practices that are unique to the village are brought out. The thesis concludes by formulating strategies for conserving the village and its heritage by adopting a people centric approach which would enhance the living of the people of the place and the physical aspects that are unique to the place. These recommendations would correspond to development and heritage protection of the village without compromising both.