Perumthachan as Inspiration for Interior Design in Dubai

Working within an interior design agency in Dubai, it is encouraging to see so many innovative designs happening within the forward-thinking city. However it can be equally as interesting to learn about the architectural achievements of other cultures for inspiration. Originally from Kerala, our Technical designer Sherin explores the legacy of one of the most respected architects in Indian history. This topic is about the legendary Perumthachan who was an adopted son to a carpenter in Kerala. He followed in his father’s steps, joining the profession in a time when carpenters were considered as a rather low caste compared to other Hindu tribes. Perumthachan challenged such stereotypes, standing out for his outstanding knowledge in mathematics and architectural expertise. His astonishing skills were recognised early on in his career when the people of his native village called Uliyannoor, approached him to construct a Temple tank. Temple tanks are wells or reservoirs built as part of the temple complex and are believed to cure diseases and ailments during ritual cleansing and rites of consecration. Since ancient times, the efficiency of water storage is imperative within India's temple architecture, especially in Western India where dry and monsoon seasons alternate, leading to Temple tank design becoming a respected art form in itself. With the Temple tank holding such cultural importance, the villagers had strong yet contradictory opinions regarding the design when they approached Perumthachan. Some wanted it to be round whilst some preferred square, some demanded rectangle and even some argued for an oval shape. Although it was proving to be an extremely difficult task he agreed to accept the challenge, using his profound mathematical knowledge to attempt a design that would accommodate all of the requests. When the construction of the tank was complete everybody was content as the extraordinary design looked round, square, rectangle or oval shaped when viewed from different angles. Perumthachan is now widely considered a true genius in his field, having developed a distinctive style that saw him go onto create several wonders in Kerala. His inspiring body of work was not only eco-friendly but also unified with nature in such a way that it felt like an extension of the natural environment, an achievement that still holds significance within many contemporary interior design trends. By Sherin Jayaprakash, Technical Designer Thirumala Devaswom Temple Tank Brihadeeswarar Temple