Design and Construction Technology: Two Marks Important Questions and Answers

Tamils and Technology

Unit-II

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

 

1. How was the design of the house during the Sangam period?

The residences referred to in the Sangam literature as 'Manai' were designed with the structures of 'Thinnai', 'Pillar', 'Attil', a with the structures of 'Murtam', 'Staircase', 'Window', 'Doorpost' and 'Madam'. These designs were featured during the development of residential architecture. It can be assumed that these might have been the residential structures of people of slightly higher economic status.

 

2. What are the common elements of architecture?

(i) Kadaikal (ii) Bearing or Foundation (iii) Wall (iv) Vimanam (Tower) or Roof

 

3. What do you mean by male tree, female tree and eunuch tree?

Male trees should be selected to make door posts, pillars, balcony, etc., in the house.

Female trees were found suitable for uthiram, vittam, arch, porch and bearing beam.

Eunuch trees were used for beams, frames, handrails and fences.

 

4. What are the substances and their compounds discovered at Kizhadi excavations?

Sample of bricks, lime mortar, roof tiles and limestone casing well lining found at Kizhadi excavations were analyzed at Vellore University of Technology. It was confirmed that the presence of minerals such as silica sand, lime, iron, aluminium and magnesium was found in each of them.

Their combinations are given below.

i) Bricks and roof tiles: > 80% Silica

ii) As Binding Factor: >7% lime

iii) Lime Mortar: > 97% lime

 

5. What were the types of houseware designs during the Sangam period?

(i) Aryakal (or) Enthiram (ii) Ural – Ulakkai (iii) Attukkal or Attural or Sekku (iv) Ammi (v) Oil Sekku (vi) Karumbalai (vii) Telescope.

 

6. Designs of Sirtil and Perill - Explain.

(i) The Design of Sirtil

In the Tamil dictionary, the meaning of Sirtil is given as 'little house', 'small house', 'small mud house' built by girls for playing.

(ii) The Design of Peril

The Sangam literature refers to houses that were designed on a large scale. A large number of houses were in a dilapidated condition with decaying elements of habitable houses and damages caused by termites.

 

7. What do you mean by Kadaikal?

Kadaikkal is a hole dug in the earth at a particular place at a specific time. This is used for laying foundation.

 

8. What were the important building materials during the Sangam period?

(i) Wood, (ii) Flint, (iii) Suthai (iv) Bomboo, (v) Straw, (vi) Brick

 

9. Ammi, Oil Sekku, Sugarcane factory - Explain. ⠀

 (i) Ammi: Ammi is a device made of black stone. A black stone is also used as a cylindrical pestle to grind the material.

(ii) Oil Sekku: Oil sekku is a device used to press the sesame, ground nut and coconut oil.

(iii) Sugarcane Factory (Karumbalai): The place where sugarcane juice is squeezed is called sugarcane factory (Karumbalai).

 

10. What is 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.

 

11. What are the other names given to Hero stones?

i) Vediappan Stone or Vediappan Temple

ii) Vedar

iii) Krishnarappanos

iv) Meenarappan

v) Sanyasiappan

vi) Anjaneya Stone

vii) Sirameetan Temple

viii) Oomai Vethiappan

ix) Double Vediappan

x) Savumettu Vediappan

xi) Naththamettu Vediappan

 

12. What was the method of worshipping the Hero Stone during the Sangam period?

There was a custom of offering flowers and smoke to the Hero Stones every day. It was called Hero Stone worship. It is mentioned in books like Purunanooru, Silapathikaram, Malaipadukadam, etc., Stones are placed around the Hero Stone to make it a hoard. It is called 'Vallan Padukkai God'. They beat hand-drum, perform pooja with the liquor Thoppi and sacrifice animals.

 

13. What is Hero Stones? Explain.

It is an ancient Tamil tradition to offer final tributes to the dead soldiers and worship after erecting stones. The stones rent erected in this way are called 'Nadukal' or 'Hero Stones'.

• It is erected in the same place, where they die.

• The name, birth place and his fame were noted in the stone.

• Booja will be conducted for the hero stones.

 

14. What are the stage structure mentioned in Silapathikaram?

i) Space for Arena

ii) Fetching bamboo

iii) Bamboo scale

iv) Cross beam board

v) Entrance to the arena

vi) Setting the entrance

vii) Screens (Ezhinigal)

viii) Canopy and festoons

ix) Thalaikol

 

15. What are the types of Ezhinigal (or) Screens?

(i) One side pulling screen (ii) Porumuga Ezhini (iii)Karanthuvaral Ezhini

 

16. What are the cave temples in Mamallapuram?

i) Pulikugai

ii) Athiranasanda Pallaveshwara Kirugam

iii) Archuna Tapas

iv) Krishnan Mandapam

v) Panchapandava Chariots

vi) Ulaganeshwarar temple

vii) Mahishasuramarthini Cave

viii) Ramanuja Hall

ix) Varaha Mandapam

x) Ganesa Ratham

(xi) Embossed Sculptures

xii) Beach Temple

 

17. Which are the great temples built during Chola period?

(i) Pragadeeswarar temple, Thanjavur

(ii) Gangaikonda cholapuram, Siva temple, Ariyalur

(iii) Iradeeswarar temple, Tharasuram⠀

(iv) Thillai Natarajar temple, Chidambaram

(v) Sri Kumbeshwarar temple, Kumbakonam

(vi) Thiagaraja Swamy Thirukoil, Thiruvarur

 

18. What is the height of Tanjore Great temple?

59.40 metre.

 

19. Write any two names of temple built in Pandya period.

i) Andal Temple - Srivilliputhur

ii) Vettuvan temple, Kazhugumalai

 

20. Who built the towers of Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple?

i) East Tower (Rajagopuram)

It was built between 1216 AD and 1238 AD by the later Pandyas.

ii) West Tower

It was constructed by Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan in 1323 AD.

iii) South Tower

It was built by Viswanatha Nayak in 1559 AD.

iv) North Tower

History accounts that the construction was started by the King Muthuveerpa Nayak from 1564 to 1572 AD and completed by Vainakaram family in 1878 AD.

A one acre Portamarai Pond has been set up inside this temple.

 

21. What is Chettinad Architecture?

Built in the 18th, 19th and early 20th century, these Chettinad houses are world renowned for their architecture. There are also houses with 1000 windows. The Nagarathars used to hold their family functions in their houses. Their houses are like big halls. Architects, experts and researchers from different countries are studying this architecture.

 

22. What are the five parts of the houses?

Chettinad houses are divided into five sections.

First Section: Reception

Second Section: Valavu (utilization section) consisting murtam and rooms.

Third Section : Dining Section (Irandankattu)

Fourth Section: Kitchen Section

Fifth Section: At the end is the garden

 

23. What does Saracen mean?

Saracen is a term used by English people to refer to the Arabic -speaking Muslim people.

 

24. What is the meaning of Indo-Saracen?

The name saracen was created by the British with a purpose of uniting the Hindus and Muslims. This is considered to be an attempt of stopping the separation between Hindus and Muslims. It is a non- religious forum.

 

25. Explain the Indo-Saracenic Architecture?

It is considered to be a combination of three types of architecture. The Indo-Saracen architecture is an architectural art that combines Mughal architecture, Hindu temple architecture and the British architecture.

 

26. What are rock-out temples?

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.

 

27. What are embossed sculptures?

Emossed sculptures have a three dimensional structure even if we look at them from four sides. These sculptures appear to be attached to the wall and are self-contained outside.

 

28. What are the other names of goddess Meenakshiamman?

For Meenakshiamman, there are innumerable names like Maragatha Valli, Pachaidevi, Tadathagai, Abirama Valli, Karpoora Valli, Komagal, Sundaravalli, Pandipratti, Manikka Valli and Mathurapuri Thalaivi.

 

29. What are the salient features of Indo-Saracenic architecture?

 All government offices, courts, railway stations and museums built in the 19th to 20th Centuries are based on Indo-Saracenic arthitecture. The high towers belong to Indian heritage. Domes belong to Islamic art. Beautiful floral carvings at the ends of the buildings and canopies with beautiful carvings deserve appreciation.

 

30. What are the types of Pallava Architecture?

(i) Temples built after digging the rocks of big hills (ii) Kartali (iii) Constructed Temples

 

31. Describe the architectural style of the Nayak period.

The Nayak Kings were involved in the restoration of the earlier temples. Like the Pandyan Kings, they made certain changes in the towers of the temples.

Features of the Tower

i) Entrance: It has two openings

ii) Door: It is made of a single stone (or) wood

iii) Thresh hold: It is made of a single stone

iv) Upper layers: It is built up of brick, lime and mortar

v) Paintings: It explains religious and social events

vi) Sculptures: It is provided with mythological scenes and stories.

 

32. What were the major Nayak Period Temples during the Sangam period? (or) Give two examples of famous Naick era buildings in Tamilnadu.

i) Rasagopalasamy Temple - Mannargudi

ii) Kumbeshwarar Temple - Kumbakonam

iii) Meenakshi Amman Temple - Madurai

iv) Arunachaleshwara Temple - Thiruvannamalai

v) Andal Temple - Srivilliputhur

 

33. Which cities were the capital during Nayak era?

(i) Gingee (ii) Madurai (iii) Thanjavur

 

34. What are the specialities of Thirumalai Naiyakkar Mahal?

It is constructed by an Italian architect using Indo-Saracen architecture. It has two parts.

i) Heavenly Address

ii) Venue Address

 

35. Who restored the Thirumalai Naiyakkar palace?

The palace was restored and survives today by Robert the architect of the British government.

 

36. What are Vastu Satra (or) Panchabhutha sakthi?

Vasthu Sastra is the arrangement of the Panchabhutha Sakthi brin (earth, water, fire, air, atmosphere) in the house in a way that brings together the natural resources.

 

37. Give examples for Indo-Saracenic Architectre.

i) Chennai University Senate Building,

ii) Chennai Egmore Railway Station,

iii) Victoria Public Hall,

iv) Rippon Building and

v) Amir Mahal

 

38. Give two examples for Kudaivarai (cave) temples.

(i) Tiger cave (ii) Krishna mandapam (iii) Varaha hall

 

39. Write the names of the dwellings mentioned in Sangam Literature.

The word 'Manai' in Sangam literature means dwelling house, family, cowshed, wife, life, a 2400 sqft or pit. Like that, it is found with many objects. Generally, 'Manai' mostly means house in abundance.

 

Anna University Part A Two Marks Important Questions

1. What is Indho Saracenic?

2. Which are the great temples built during Chola period?

3. What are the other names given the pot makers in Literature?

4. Explain the 'Indo-Saracenic' architecture.

5. What is Hero stone? Explain.

6. Describe the architectural style of the Nayak period.

7. What is the height of Tanjore Great Temple ?

8. Write the names of any three temples built during the Nayak period.

9. Give two examples for Kudaivarai (cave) temples.

10. What is Indo-Saracenic architecture?

11. Which cities were the capital during Nayak era?

12. What are the specialities of Tirumala Nayaka Mahal?

13. Write the names of the dwellings mentioned in Sangam Literature.

14. Give two examples of famous Nayak-era buildings in Tamilnadu