Constructions during the Sangam period

CONSTRUCTIONS DURING THE SANGAM PERIOD

It is mentioned in Sangam literature that even before 1000 years, Tamilians were experts in architectural techniques in the construction works. As man progressed and began to organize knowledge and oral traditions and processes, architecture emerged as an art.

There is no doubt that houses for people to reside, places for kings, places of worship and public buildings were built.

All these buildings were built of perishable materials and as a result nothing remains. However, religious architecture is at the fore.

1. Climate Adaptation Framework

The life style of early Tamilians was in harmony with nature. Their houses were built suiting to the climate. The upper floors of the houses were roofless in order to dissipate the heat in summer.

The interior of the houses had a multi-panel system to ventiláte the house. During the winter season, people used to close the multi- panel system. This is described by Chandra, Jaffna Su. M. Na., P.65 in Nedunalvadai.

Proof: Nedunalvadai 66–63

In palace-like residences of kings, the entrance rises up high like a hill. There are double doors equipped with handles, latches and devices called Iyavi.

The Primitive Man's House

In Dharmapuri district, there are many stone houses on morel rocks. Each loft is 10ft by 10ft slabs of 9 inches of thickness. Only one end is stopped to rest against the next board. A stone is placed in the middle to fit the correct size. Above these four walls, there is a capstone. It measures about 12' x 12'. A stone weighs about 6 or 7 tons. It is designed based on the technology of splitting the slab of rock by the heat of the rock. It is astonishing that such construction work was done by our Sangam people 10,000 years ago.

2. General Elements of Construction Art

The following elements are commonly found in Tamil Architecture. They are

1. Kadaikkal

2. The bearing platform (or) Asthivaram

3. Wall

4. Vimanam (Tower or Roof)

1. Kadaikkal

First of all, there was also a custom of erecting the base structure at a chosen time prior to the construction of the buildings. Kadaikkal is a hole dug in the earth at a particular place at a specific time. This is used for laying foundation.

2. Foundation or Bearings

Adequate evidences have been found to show that solid foundation structures were laid during the Sangam period. It was the first element erected on earth in the early period. Materials like lime and karuppatti were used for that. There were no engineers during that time to set up kadaikkaal as is done now. However, they have built structures that can stand for thousands of years. This was because they made proper use of materials that were easily available naturally in the environment of the day.

3. The wall

A wall is usually a structure that protects a place. Walls are generally vertical structures. It divides the space inside the building into different rooms and separates the interior of the building from the exterior.

4. Vimanam or Tower

A tower is a tall man-made structure. They are taller than their width and length.

3. Constructions on Rocks (or) Pallava Architecture

Pallava period architecture is very important. Their architecture is of three types.

1. Temples built after digging the rocks of big hills

2. Kartali

3. Constructed Temples

1. Temples built after digging the rocks of big hills

Temples built on the top of big hills are called 'Kudaivarai Temples'. It is believed that the buildings were designed using wood, bamboo, straw, grass which did not last long. Starting from a certain point of the rock, the rock should be carved properly according to the construction design. Adequate acoustic tests were carried out to ensure the stability of the stones that no cracks were formed.

2. Kartali

In the Tamil architectural art, 'Kartali' is a temple structure built from the top to bottom on the outer side of the rock or mound protruding from the ground.

3. Constructed Temples

As early as the 7th Century, stone-built temples were erected. The chief among them is the Mamallpura Beach Temple. 45 feet high construction temples are the examples of the Tamil Construction technique.