Nambudiri Manas: Architecture and Preservation
Manas (or Illams) are the traditional ancestral residences of the landed Nambudiri Brahmin families of Kerala. Constructed according to Vastu Vidya and Thachu Shastra, these eco-friendly structures feature Nalukettu (four-winged) layouts with central open courtyards (Nadumuttam), steep tiled roofs, laterite walls, and intricate woodwork tailored for tropical ventilation.
Following mid-20th-century socio-economic shifts and land reforms, many historic Manas fell into neglect or were partitioned.
Today, preservation efforts take multiple forms: Adaptive Reuse: Estates like Olappamanna Mana operate as heritage homestays and cultural centers.
Institutional Custodianship: Organizations restore structures for Vedic research and museum exhibitions.
Given below are some of the Illams owned by the Nambudiri families of Kerala:
 |
| Interior Poonthanam Illam, Malappuram dist. Kerala keralatourism.org |
 |
| Poonthanam Illam, Malappuram dist. Kerala keralatourism.org |
Varikkasseri Mana (Palakkad):
 |
| Varikkasseri Mana (Palakkad) upload.wikimedia.org |
Above image: Varikkasseri Mana (Palakkad) - Located in Manisseri near Ottapalam in Palakkad district this Illam is a typical Naalukettu.100 years old tharavadu built by legendary "Perumthachan" of the "Parayi Petta Panthirukulam''.
ooo
Manayahtattu 'mana,' Kottayam dist., Kerala:
.jpg) |
| 200 year old Kottayam Mana, Keralaonmanorama.com |
Above image: A 200-year-old Manayahtattu 'mana' (a Namboodiri homestead) on the banks of the tranquil Muvattupuzha with 8 halls (ethukku), it is more or less well-intact. Steeped in tradition and located in a hallowed place with lots of trees and chirping birds in Madayikonam near Thalayolaparambu in Kottayam district, the Nambudiri family members of this mana have the right to conduct puja and other rituals at about 100 temples.
Eetti Seri Mana (Kannur):
.jpg) |
| Eetti Seri Mana (Kannur), onmanorama.com |
Above image: Eetti Seri Mana (Kannur)- A 500 year old mana with rice granaries is set in a 5 acre spread in Narikode, Kunda Mangalathu .The illam is not well protected, and is struggling to survive.
Suryakaladi Mana (Kottayam):
.jpg) |
| Suryakaladi Mana.onmanorama.com |
Above image: Suryakaladi Mana is an age-old family bestowed with the responsibilities of conducting Tantric rites and Mantravadam (Science of Mantra) by lord Parasurama. Mana, the abode of Brahmins was usually the center of culture, education and fine arts. It is also the abode of Sree Maha Ganapathy, who resides in the Nalukettu. Maha Ganapathi is at the center of Sun God (Surya Mandala Madhyastha), hence here Ganapathi Homam can be performed only after sunrise whereas same is performed before sunrise elsewhere. Standing with majestic, but simple local architecture on the banks of the Meenachil the house is just a kilometer from Chavittuvari. Swathi Thirunal, the King of Travancore, is believed to have built this quadrangle in the native design tell and given it as as an offering. The Yakshi pala tree near the Mana is a mysterious one and there are mystifying stories linked with this mana though the tree is gone..
ooo
Olappamanna Illam (Vellinezhi):
 |
| Olappamanna Illam ktexplorer.com |
Above image: Olappamanna Illam (Vellinezhi) was the home of a Nambudiri Brahmin family native to Kerala. It was in this mana the most popular form of Kathakali - Kalluvazhi Chitta originated nearly 150-200 years back. This 300 year old heritage home was the cultural hub in many fields such as Kathakali (classical dance form), Carnatic Music, Melam and Thayambaka (classical percussions). The Illam was originally a Nalukettu, which was subsequently expanded into an Ettukettu. Lots of rosewood, teak wood and jackfruit tree wood (pala) went into part of construction work. The design of the house is such that with adequate ventilation surrounded by lush green open yards,interior parts are cool durin the hot summer period. A popular practicing venue for Kathakali, the hall attached to the Kanthalloor temple, is close to the mana. The Kathakali Yogam, it is said, came to an end in 1938. A portion of the house is now being used for home stay for tourists.
000
Pomelle Mana, Palakkad:
.jpg) |
| Poomully Perincode, Palakkad distinfomagic.com |
https://templesinindiainfo.com/suryakalad-mana-history-legends/
https://www.namboothiri.com/articles/some-namboothiri-illams.htm#illam-1
https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/kerala/2021/06/17/eettisseri-mana-heritage-legend.html
https://www.namboothiri.com/articles/illam.htm
https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/kerala/2020/06/14/ettukettu-traditional-house-mana.html
https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/poonthanam-illam-kizhattoor-perinthalmanna/393
https://www.onmanorama.com/travel/kerala/2022/03/01/the-legend-of-suryakaladi-mana-.html
https://www.quora.com/Who-were-Nambudiri-Brahmins-of-Kerala
Menon, A. Sreedhara. A Survey of Kerala History. DC Books, 2007.
Additional Ref:
Gurukkal, Rajan & Varier, Raghava. Kerala Charithram. Vallathol Vidyapeetham, 1991.
Mencher, Joan. "Namboodiri Brahmins: An Analysis of a Traditional Elite in Kerala." Journal of Asian and African Studies, 1966.
K. N. Jayaraman Ph. D (1977) - Univ. of Washington, Seattle.
Retd Earth Scientist. Vocational Interest: Indian Colonial history, heritage structures of temples,colonial buildings, etc.
(Author: navrangindia.blogspot.com)
