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| Thanjavur Ammaveedu, Thiruvanathapuram facebook.com |
Above image: Thanjavur Ammaveedu, Thiruvananthapuram. ettukettu structure mostly made of wood. Note the gable on either side on the slanting tiled roof and a jharokha on either side on the first floor. this type of windows with lattice window is placed in the facade of the building overlooking the road. The inmates can watch the road, etc., but are not visible to the outsiders. Mostly this type of window is used in the women quarters in the palace or haveli.in the northern states. The other striking features are symmetrical arch openings, louvered shutters (to allow good air indoors), fluted pilasters, heavy cornice with ornate floral motifs, and the use of coloured glass . A good example of harmonious blend of different design styles. without compromising on native architecture..................
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| Jharokha drawing. in.pinterest.com |
Does it give you any surprise that Thanjavur (Tanjore), once the capital of the composite delta district of Tanjore, then called the granary of south India, had link with the Maharajah of Travancore centuries ago. Once ruled by the dynasties of Chola, Nayak and Maratha, for centuries this region has been a popular center of dance, music, drama and arts (Eyal, Esai and natakam)
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| Interior Thanjavur Ammaveeduarchitectsdotorg1.wordpress.com |
In the wake of the demise of Rajah Serfoji II in 1832, a polyglot and a patron of music and dances rupted poets, musicians, vocalists, dancers and artists in the royal court had a setback and it affected their livelihood. This led to gradual exodus of talented artists from this area to other kingdoms. Many of them made beelines to the princely state of Travancore because the rulers had been patrons of classical music, dance, etc for a long time. As a matter of fact Maharajah Swati Thirunal himself was an excellent composer of many classical songs in Carnatic and Hindustani style which are sung widely by the carnatic musicians of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra.
Swati Thirunal Rama Varma welcomed the artists and encouraged them to settle down in his kingdom. On account of the arrival of talented artists from Tanjore along with local famous artists, a cultural renaissance was in the making in Travancore,
Among the several dancers from the delta district of Tanjore who enthralled the royal court, in 1840 two young sisters, Sundara Lakshmi Bai and Sugandha Parvathi Bai drew the attention of the court and the people there. They were extremely talented dancers besides being affable and intelligent. The king having become a serious patron of Sundara Lakshmi Bai liked her very much. Perhaps attracted by her extraordinary flair for arts and dedication Swathi Thirunal was drawn closer to her In 1843, King married her upon Sundara's adoption into Vadasherri Ammaveedu. This matrimonial link did irk a section of prominent people of the day, however, the gossip subsided later as Sundara won the heart of every body she ran into.
In order to make her comfortable and feel at home, the ruler had a big house built for Sundara Lakshmi on the vast premises of ancient Vadasherri complex in Perumthanni. The house built in traditional native ettukettu style is built entirely of wood, including walls and roof frame, gables on either side at the roof level Yet another feature, not native to Kerala is the incorporation of jharoka - projected roof covered balcony, a Rajasthani architectural element which the Martha rules of Tanjore adopted in their buildings, - Saarja Madi in the palace and Mangala Vilas building in Thanjavur, and Maratha house in Thiruvidaimaruthur near Kumbakonam. The house was known as Vadasherri Padinjarae Ammaveedu.’It came to be known as Thanjavur Amma Veedu. The workmanship and artistic splendor of the structure is a reflection on the exalted status of the occupant.
King Swati died in 1846 and Sundara Lakshmi lived in the Vadasherri Padinjarae Ammaveedu with her elder sister till her death. Sree Moolam Tirunal Rama Varma (1885-1924) bought it for his son Narayanan Thampi. Being a man of good disposition and character it was Thampi who with a view to preserving the memory of Tanjavur Sundara Lakshmi,built a two-story structure mālika in front of the courtyard house and named it Tanjavur Ammaveedu. .What a fine gesture on the part of Thambi!
Some alterations were made to the‘arattu’ path during the reign of Gowri Parvathi Bai, it was done to cut down inconvenience to the very influential Thampi brothers.
https://www.thehindu.com/society/The-Travancore-Tanjavur-connection/article16998894.ece
