LESSON - 1

D0 6111 பழங்காலக் கட்டடக் கலை

The Sangam Architecture

     Distinguishing building or கட்டடம் from the site or கட்டிடம், this lesson describes the Tamil people’s living places in the five kinds of land in accordance with the Tamil culture. The structure of towns and its types provide the basis for the history of Tamil architecture. You will get some details about the buildings which added pride to மதுரை and புகார். Information about the houses built by the ancient people of sangam period is also presented. Palaces and forts required for the defence of Tamil country are described. Armoury and the weaponry are noted. This lesson also talks about the light houses that help the sailing ships reach the shore.

     The Tamil word கட்டடம் refers to building and கட்டிடம் to the site. Building architecture is an expression of aesthetic experience as a Visual art. Buildings have to fulfil social needs; strong, suitable and enduring building materials are to be used for the structure; and the structure should provide pleasure for those who see them. From Chalcolithic age the knowledge of building technology has developed, as can be seen from the mansions, towers, forts, battle grounds, and palaces, mentioned in Sangam literature and சிலப்பதிகாரம் and மணிமேகலை. Temples of சேர, சோழ and பாண்டிய kings and cave and monolithic temples of the pallavas present the theory of architecture of the Tamil people.

     Tamil land is classified into five categories of முல்லை, குறிஞ்சி, மருதம், நெய்தல் and பாலை. The residential buildings on these lands reflected the lifestyle of the people who lived there.

     The living places are of ten categories. They are கிராமம், நகரம், பட்டணம், கர்வடம், புரம், கேடம், குடிகம், சிபிரம், இராஜதானி and துர்க்கம் or சேனாமுகம். Of these ten, only five are meant for common people; they are: கிராமம், கேடம், கர்வடம், துர்க்கம் and நகரம். Madurai is an illustration of ancient Tamils’ urban planning. புகார் is another example of their townplanning.

     Houses of Sangam period were built following the rules set by the architect, மயன். Foundation, walls, facade, windows, girder, roofing, flooring and white washing bring out the structural factors of Tamil architecture. Palaces and armoury provide further artistic expression.

     Light house highlights the Tamil’s trade and commerce across the seas of even those days.

     On learning this lesson you will appreciate the aesthetic and technological acumen displayed by the ancient Tamils through the architectural remains that can be seen even today.