In the heartland of southern India, a fascinating architectural legacy offers a unique glimpse into the lives of women in Kerala's matrilineal communities. The tharavad homes, centuries-old residences designed specifically to cater to female life cycles and autonomy, have a profound story to tell about the societal value placed upon women's needs.
The traditional tharavads typically adhered to the 'nalukettu' structure – a rectangular design made from jackfruit wood and teak, opening onto a central, roofless courtyard. Each of the four blocks was named according to its direction, and critically, the layout was conceived with women's needs at the forefront. This is evident in the distinct spaces tailored to female labour, cycles, and conversations.
These homes were particularly prevalent among the Nair community, a matrilineal caste historically serving as martial nobility. Notably, the architectural brief for these tharavads was set by women, while male artisans constructed the buildings. An intriguing example, the Kandath tharavad, located near Tholanur, demonstrates this design philosophy with raised platforms (purathalams) diagonally opposite each other across the courtyard. These were specifically designed so that conversations on the women's platform could not be overheard by men on their respective platform, even if voices were raised.
Further practical considerations were woven into the design. The kitchen was strategically placed in the north-east, a decision influenced by Kerala’s monsoon winds, which typically blow from the south-west. This ensured that hot air from cooking was carried away from the main living areas. Women's bedrooms, situated on the western side, were thus spared the kitchen's heat. Adjacent to these bedrooms were smaller, dedicated rooms: one specifically for childbirth and another for menstruation, highlighting the integral role of these life events in the home's design.
Unfortunately, many tharavads, including the author's own ancestral home, Palayil, have been demolished over the past decade due to the unravelling of the matrilineal system. However, surviving examples offer invaluable insights into the significance of designing spaces with women's lives at their core. As we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, these structures prompt us to consider the profound impact of prioritising female-centric architecture.