VERNACULAR

ARCITECTURE

C. PAVITHIRA,
K. VENKATESH BABU,
A. NAFIYA.
Sasi Creative School of Architecture,
(2013 - 2018).
INTRODUCTION
 LOCATION
• TAMIL NADU is one of the 29 states
of India.
• Its capital and largest city
is Chennai (formerly known as Madras).
• Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part
of the Indian Peninsula.
• Bordered by
Kerala to the west,
Karnataka to the northwest,
Andhra Pradesh to the north
Bay of Bengal to the east

• It also shares a maritime border with the

nation of Sri Lanka.

• The total area covered by the state is

130058 sq. km of which 22933.79 sq. km is
under forests.
 GEOGRAPHY
• The state has been divided into 5 major physiographic divisions
the Kurinji or mountainous region,
the Mullai or forest region,
the Palai or arid region,
the Marudham or the fertile plains
the Neidhal or coastal region.
• The Eastern and Western Ghats meet in this state and run along it’s
eastern and western boarders
• The hills of the Western Ghats have dense forests as compared
to Eastern Ghats.
• This region receives maximum rainfall and hence favors plantations
of tea, coffee and spices.
• The upper reaches of the Eastern Ghats are not without their share
of beauty and Yercaud in the Shevaroy hills is famous for
its fruit orchards and banana and coffee plantations.
• The most arid and desert like-area is in the Tirunelveli district and is
known as Palai.
 HISTORY
• Tamil Nadu has a glorious history
and great civilization that
flourished in the region during the
Sangam Age with developments
in the fields like art, literature
and occultism.
• The subsequent periods were
associated with Pallava,
Pandya, Chola, Vijayanagara
and then came the British.

After India got her independence in 1947, Madras Presidency

became Madras State, comprising of present day Tamil Nadu,
coastal Andhra Pradesh, northern Kerala, and the southwest coast
of Karnataka.

In 1968, when the Central Government imposed Hindi as the

national language, the state of Madras was renamed as Tamil
Nadu.
 CLIMATE

• The climate is tropical with little variation in temperatures

during winter and summer.

• Summer season is felt between April and June when

temperature reaches*40°C.

• November – February are the months when Tamil Nadu

experiences winter but temperature doesn't drop below 20 °C.

• Tamilnadu's Climate has another distinct feature that is it

experiences winter rainfall, between the time period of
October-December.

• Heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning occurs

during this time.
 RIVERS
• Tamil Nadu is blessed with a number of rivers of which Cauvery is
the most important. This perennial river of the state originates in
Coorg in the neighboring Karnataka state.
• The fertile Coromandel plains are irrigated by the Cauvery and its
delta in Thanjavur - Nagapattinam region is known as the granary
of Tamil Nadu.

MAJOR RIVERS
•Bhavani River
•Kaveri River
•Noyyal River
•Cheyyar River
•Palar River
•Thamirabarani River
•Ponnaiyar River
•Vaigai River
 DEMOGRAPHY
Population (%)
Caste
Vanniyar 20%
Muslims 10%
20% (includes Parayar, Pallar,
Dalits
and Chakkiliyar)
Tribals 1%
Brahmins 1%
Nadars 5.5%
Christians 5%
Kongu Vellala gounder 6%
 RELIGION
HINDU

• The state is home to the core schools of

medieval and modern Hinduism as well as
several non-mainstream Hindu movements.

• These include Nayanmars Saivism, Saiva

Siddhanta, Alvar Vaishnavism, Sri
Vaishnavism and Ayya-Vazhi.

• In modern times, well known figures for

Hinduism in the state include Ramana
Maharishi and the Kanchi Sankaracharya.

• All Hindu deities in various forms and a

large number of village deities are
worshiped by Hindus in Tamil Nadu.
 FOLK ARTS
Rich in diversity, the states boasts of a variety of folk dances like

Parai, Karakaatam, Villupaatu and Koothu

that add spice to the life of local inhabitants including tribes in hill
areas. These traditional arts practised by a location-specific group
have been the source of livelihood for many who perform them
during temple festivals or on any grand occasions.

Bharatanatyam is the officially recognised classical dance form of

Tamil Nadu. The dance requires intense training to master its gentle
movements, subtle poses and flexible gestures (of senses and body).

Known for their chivalry and fortitude to

face hardships, Tamils have evolved a
self-defence technique called
‘Silambam’ that involves fighting with a
long bamboo stick.
 FOLK ARTS

Thappattam Oyilaattam Kaavadiyaatam

Thevaraattam Kummi
 FOLK ARTS

Kolaattam Mayilaattam Karakaattam

Paavaikkoothu Poikkaal Kuthirai

 FOLK ARTS

Puliyaattam Villuppaattu

Classical Dance - Bharatanatyam

 SPORTS

Jallikkattu Seval Sandai Aadupuli aattam

Pallanguli Pamparam Kabadi

Classical Language

PALM LEAF WRITING

 OCCUPATION
Agriculture is the major occupation in
Tamilnadu. The total cultivated area in
the State was 56.10 million hectares in
2007-08.

The principal food crops include paddy,

millets and pulses. Commercial crops
include sugarcane, cotton, sunflower,
coconut, cashew, chillies, gingelly and
groundnut.

Plantation crops are tea, coffee,

cardamom and rubber. Major forest
produces are timber, sandalwood, pulp
wood and fuel wood.

• AGRICULTURE
MAJOR • FISHING
OCCUPATION • POT MAKING
• VANIGAM
• NESAVU
• SIRPAM
 ART & ARCHITECTURE
• Temple architecture showcases the Dravidian style the hallmark of
which is towering gopurams (temple towers) in which statues of gods
and goddesses are engraved with a range of filigree works sculpted
all over the towering edifice.

• While temples are replete with giant marvels in sculptural works and
aesthetic carvings, there are monuments like at Mamallapuram
seashore resort that just give one a glimpse of the construction ability
of Pallava rulers who were known for their seafaring ability and also
patronised fine arts and crafts during their reign.
 ART & ARCHITECTURE

• In fact the architecture in Meenakshi Amman temple

(Madurai), Brihadeeswarar temple (Thanjavur) and in
countless others that dot the TN landscape narrates the
grand legacy of Tamils who have a cultural history
drawing mainly from Hindu scriptures and mythological
anecdotes.
 FOOD
• Eating well-prepared three-course meal is part of the ancient
tradition of Tamils.
• The food is spicy and is peppered with a number of powdered
ingredients to make it nutritious and healthy, Tamils rejoice taking a
well-structured menu with vegetables, cereals and a good amount
of sambar (or kozhumbhu) to go with the white, grainy rice.

• Of course in tiffin items, none can beat the combination of idli, dosa,
chutney and vada, all of which typifies as the 'Madrasi food' to the
people from north India.
• In a way, Tamils pioneered the cultivation of rice as they mastered
the art of harvesting paddy crops even during the Sangam era.
• They lived as a self-sustained community doing other works like
spinning, weaving and masonry, among others.
 TRADITIONAL DRESS
• Veshtis and silk sarees (Pattu Saree) during festivals are
the distinct trademark clothing of Tamil couples.
• The traditional dress of Tamilnadu unmarried girls is the
'Half Saree', which is increasingly used only in festivals as
the blouse and long skirt with duppatta has been
replaced by the north Indian Salwaar Kameez just as
the 'Pavadai' (blouse and skirt) for little girls is replaced
by frocks and trousers and t-shirts.
• While men have vibhuti (along with sandal paste
sometimes) on their forehead, kum kum or any other
bridal decorations to suit the occasions are seen on
women's forehead.
• Tamil Nadu women often adorn themselves with
flowers in their hair, the favourite being 'Malli Poo' or
jasmine.
• Gold is well loved for ornaments for men and women
and most Tamil folk can be seen in some gold
ornaments like big finger rings and thick neck chains.