Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Other texts
Arthasastra Natyasastra
All the texts give only prescription. They do not give theory or concept of design
Adharva veda
Sama veda
Vastu
Bhumi
Prasada
Yana
Sayana
Persuit of perfection
Combination of shapes
Concept of Vastupurusamandala
Design of vastu is based on human scale (purusapramana). The human scale is based on the length of human span (vyama). Octal division of vyama give the following units.
1 vyama 1 pada 1 angula 1 yava = = = = 8 pada 8 angula 8 yava 8 tila
The stature of a person (kaya) is equal to his vyama (8 pada). The reach (anjali) will be 10 pada in this scale. Space standards for rooms can be worked out based on their measures.
Section of Kuthambalam
1. 2.
from
Dravida land denotes the region to the south of Vindhya to Krishna river. Vesara land encompasses the south India from Krishna to Kanyakumari
3.
TRADITION OF PANCAKAMMALAR
FIVE TRADITIONAL CRAFTS
IRON SMITHY METAL WORKING GOLD SMITHY STONE WORKING
I.K OF NATURAL STONES
WOOD WORKING
I.K OF TIMBER TECHNOLOGY
I.K COMPONENTS
Alloying Casting Sheet Metal Work Surface finishing Brass, Bronze Brass, Bronze Copper sheet roofing Mirror Polishing
PRODUCTS
Utensils, Lamps, Roof covering, Icons, Fastenings, Ornamental work
BINDING MATERIALS
LATERITE DUST SURKHI MORTAR TEMPERED MORTARS KATUSARKARAYOGA ASTABANDHA
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
TRABEATED SYSTEM CORBELLED ARCH KADALIKARANA
PROCESSES
SELECTION OF QUARRY CHOOSING APPROPRIATE STONES
CUTTING, DRESSING AND SHAPING JOINTING FINISHING
SAD DARUKAM
Vastuvidya is viewed today more as an occult science, a belief system with no basis. This view has resulted from its stagnant nature from 16th century. The knowledge base of vastuvidya has to return to the philosophical search of concept and theory of design instead of dogmatic application of prescription. The structures have to return to their simplicity and functionalism, devoid for the excessive decoration. Vastuvidya is to be researched with this new perspective for its roots in Vedic literature.
REFERENCES
1. Acharya P.K., The Hindu Architecture in India and abroad, Manasara series, Oriental Books Reprint Corporation, New Delhi, 1979. 2.a. Ganapati Sastri. T. (Ed.) The Silparatna by Srikumara (samskrt), Part 1, Trivandrum Samskrt Series No. LVI, Govt. Press Trivandrum, 1917. 2.b. Sambasiva Sastri. K., (Ed.) The Silparatna of Srikumara, Part II, Trivandrum Samskrt Series No. XCVIII, Kerala University Oriental Research Institute and Manuscript Library, Trivandrum, 1929. 3. Achyuthan A, Balagopal T.S. Prabhu, An Engineering Commentary on Manusyalayacandrika, Vastuvidyapratisthanam, Calicut, 1998. 4. Alice Boner (Tr.), Vastusutra Upanishad, Motilal Banarsidass, New Delhi, 1989. 5. Parameswaran M. and Narayanan M., Yajnavedikal (Mal.), Panchangam Press, Kunnamkulam, 2006. 6. S. Jayasankar, Temples of Kerala, Census of India Special Studies, Kerala, 1997. 7. Kanippayyur Damodaran Namboodiripad, (Ed.) Tantrasamuccayam, Silpa Bhagam (Mal) Panchangam Pustakasala, Kunnamkulam, 1983. 8. Nageswar Rao. P., Pedapathi, Vedic Verbs in Contribution of Viswakarmas to the Science, Technology & Culture of Indian Origin, Dakshina Publishing House, Chennai, 2000. 9. Jagatheesh Chandrakesh, Vaidic Kareen Roopankar Kalaien (Hindi), Ananya Prakasan, New Delhi, 2003. 10. Krishnan Nambudiri C., Bharathiya Sastrachinda (Mal.), Arshaprakasam, Kozhikodie, 1998. 11. Bruno Dagens (Tr.) Mayamatam, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, New Delhi, 1994. 12. Stella Kramrisch, The Hindu Temple Vol.I & II, Motilal Banarsidass, New Delhi, 1986. 13. Balagopal T.S. Prabhu, A. Achyuthan, A Text Book of Vastuvidya, Vastuvidyapratisthanam, Calicut, 1996. 14. Narayana Pishoradi. K.P. (Tr.) Bharatas Natyasastra (Mal) Kerala Sahitya Academy, Trichur, 1987. 15. Ramakrishna Bhat. M., (Ed.) Varahamihras Brhatsamhita, Part I & II Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1987. 16. Ganapati Sthapati V., Contribution of Viswakarmas to the Science, Technology & Culture of Indian Origin, Dakshina Publishing House, Chennai, 2000.
THANK YOU