CONTENTS Introduction 1. Backdrop The various influencing factors that have shaped the architecture of Kerala before the coming of the colonisers 1.1 Geographical influences, 3 1.2 Climatic influences, 3 1.3 Materials used for construction, 4 1.4 Socio-cultural influences, 5 1.5 Religious formation and its influence on architecture, 6 1.6 Historical influences, 9 1.7 Advent of Portuguese, 11 1.8 The Dutch in Kerala, 15 1.9 The architecture in Portugal, 16 2. A Way Of Life Early European influences in the society which have directly and indirectly influenced the built forms 2.1 Religion, 20 2.2 Trade, 20 2.3 Languages, 21 2.4 Attire, 21 2.5 Culinary, 21 2.6 Art form, 21 2.7 Furniture, 22 2.8 Architecture, 23 2.9 A brief understanding of the Portuguese influence in Goa, 27 2.10 Dutch influence, 29 2.11 An example of the eclectic nature of the built form at the Padmanabhapuram Palace, 27 Complex, 30 3. House Forms Change in the residential architecture with the influences of the early Europeon traders. 3.1 The traditional courtyard house form in Kerala, 34 3.2 The principles and spatial organisation of the courtyard house, 35 3.3 A traditional courtyard house~ Thekkekotaram, 37 3.4 The change in the visual characteristics of the residential interior spaces, 38 3.5 Case Study 1~ Kolabagam house, 58 3.6 Case Study 2~ Mattanchery Palace, 65 3.7 The relationship between the interior elements and the architectural attitudes in the residences, 75 4. The co-existence of the traditional and the new elements introduced by the Portuguese. 4.1 The Kerala church, 80 4.2 The church history in the pre-Portuguese period, 80 4.3 The church history during the Portuguese period, 84 4.4 Mukhavaram (facade), 86 4.5 The elements and its new aesthetics that form the new interior language of the church, 88 4.6 Case study 3~ St. Mary's Forane church, Angamaly, 101 4.7 Relationship between the interior elements and the architectural attitudes of the church, 111 Conclusion Illustrations Bibliography