ABOUT KANIPPAYYUR VASTHU

Our Ancestors:

Kanippayyur Subrahmanian Nambudiripad (ME 1014 - 1085) The father of the well-known Sankaran Nambudiripad, he had been the superintendent of building construction under the Maharaja of Travancore. All the state-owned temples and palaces were designed, constructed and renovated under his supervision. But his interest and absorption lay greater in astrology than in architecture. The treatise "yukthibhaasha" written in malayalam was at the tip of his tongue and part of his blood stream. Besides, he showed exceptional facility with Mathematics. What is more surprising is that he could remember and solve all the problems in Mathematics dealt with in "Leelavathy", a masterly book in Sanskrit. To crown it all, he was a gifted musician and a good painter. A wall painting of the family deity at his house etched by him still looks on, giving indications of his immaculate artistic prowess. The palace of Sreemoolam Thirunaal in Thiruvananthapuram was constructed by him. The king expressed his marvel and wonder at the architectural perfection of the palace in no uncertain terms and honoured him with a veera srinkhala" (gold chain) and other suitable awards. Further, Nambudiripad was invited as the chief guest at the Murajapam in ME 1069. Ever since, this invitation was received by the Nambudiris of KanippayyurMana. Subrahmanian Nambudiripad called it quits as superintendent when the king insisted on his daily attendance in the office. Later on, this genius fell a victim to diseases and was bed-ridden. Records show that the king then offered him ample financial help. Finally, the great scholar passed away on Thulam 2, 1085 at the age of 71. 5.

Kanippayyur Parameswaran Nambudiripad (ME 1016 - 1094) A younger brother of Subrahmanian Nambudiripad, he was outstanding in all traditional skills. But his greater passion was for Mathematics and Astrology in which he was a great name all over Kerala. The almanac known as "Panchaangam" was not very popular in those days. But Parameswaran Nambudiripad had the habit of making a mental calendar for a month, storing it up in memory and enlightening those who came to him for information. He was interested in sculpture, too. To add to his versatility, he made the crown of Kathakali artistes, earrings, gold bracelets as well as dolls of different varieties like miniature models of elephants. He died at the age of 78.

Kanippayyur Parameswaran Nambudiripad [Jr.] (ME 1053 - 1096) The eldest brother of Sankaran Nambudiripad, he was a good Sanskrit scholar. After his vedic studies at the Brahmaswam Mattham, Thrissur, he was taught the science of architecture and astrology by his own father. Later he learnt Sanskrit at Kodungallur Palace in the Gurukulam way. Thereupon he pursued studies in Sanskrit and acquired greater mastery along with KururUnniNambudiripad, his uncle's son. Their teacher was Vadakkeppaattu Vasudevan Namboodiri. A recognised Vedic scholar, he successfully got through the "Anyonyam" (an exceptionally difficult task and a test of one's unshakable command of Vedic text) [ atKadavalloorSree Rama temple. He got published the historical story, "KakkaattuBhattathiri" in verse in the magazine entitled "UnniNamboodiri". He was the first man to make the necessary calculations to prepare the "YogakshemaPanchaangam" in 1084. Under the tutorship of KonathSankaraVarier, he got a clearer peep into Astrology and skill in determining "Muhoortham" (auspicious day and time) for religious performances. It is interesting to note that he taught his master the science of architecture. He was helped by Maannaanampatta Sankaranarayanan Namboodiri for the preparation of "Panchaangam". This genius once went to Thirunelli in connection with some architectural consultation, contracted typhoid and passed away at the early age of 43.

Kanippayyur Damodaran Nambudiripad (ME 1064 - 1110) He was the immediate elder brother of Sankaran Nambudiripad. He studied in the traditional style. Like other members of the family, he was accomplished in the science of architecture. A scholar in Sanskrit, he also studied toxicology (VishaChikitsa). His father and elder brother had already compiled topics relating to construction of temples in the form of a book. The information from this as well as from books like "ThanthraSamuchayam", "Mayamatham"and "Silparathnam" was used by him to produce a new authentic book with lucid interpretations and explanations entitled "ThanthraSamuchayam - Silpabhaagam". The second to the seventh slokams of the 9th chapter of this book bearing the title "DhwajaLakshanam" are the contributions of his elder brother, ParameswaranNambudiripad. Later, SankaranNambudiripad brought out a new edition of this book with additions like "JeernodhhaaranaVidhi", and necessary illustrations. This unique work comprising eleven chapters with six supplementary sections deals with nearly a hundred topics. Exact and distinct calculations are shown for the construction of temples facing east and west. Besides, ThanthraSamuchayam also throws ample light on the construction methods of replicas of deities, dance-halls (Naatyamandapam / Koothambalam), etc. It may be noted that the Namboothiri houses (Illams) in Kerala are modelled on this design. It is a measure of the true greatness of Damodaran Nambudiripad that, when the famous Poornathrayeesa temple at Tripunithura was in flames, he made precise mental calculations of the whole edifice, based on the remains, and the sanctum sanctorum was rebuilt in RCC with a covering of copper plates. Incidentally, this is the first sanctum sanctorum in RCC in Kerala. The end of this pioneer was tragic. At the age of 46 he died, by rabies.

Kanippayyur Sankaran Nambudiripad (ME 1066 - 1160) From ancient times, KanippayyurNambudiripads were unequalled in VaasthuVidya. They were the advisors to the Maharajas of Kochi in this department. Among them Sankaran Nambudiripad was the most illustrious. To spread the knowledge of architecture, he not only published books but set up the "Panchaangam Press" at Kunnamkulam in Thrissur district. It is to his credit that many Sanskrit works were translated into Malayalam.