Conservation Strategies for the Revival of ‘Daaru-Shilpa’

Abstract

This Thesis deals with the Traditional Knowledge system behind ‘DAARU SHILPA’ - Traditional wooden craftsmanship of Kerala. By "traditional" wooden craftsmanship, it means the wooden artworks and joineries used for the temples and palatial complexes built during a specific historic period -- from 12th to mid-21st century. The concept of ‘Jiirnnoddhaarana’ was traditionally practiced in the construction and maintenance procedures of buildings belonging to the Taccusastra on the remote coast of Travancore in Southern India. The fifteenth century treatise on Temple Architecture known as the Tanthrasamuccayam is the literary base for the Jiirnnoddhaarana process. Jiirnnoddhaarana basically tells us about the raising up of the decayed. So there is an urgent necessity to relearn the traditional architectural knowledge of timber construction and craftsmanship, as the future lies in the hands of coming generation who should be aware of the traditional knowledge skills which their predecessors practiced long back with the same material in the same context. This Paper involves a detailed study of selected samples of this traditional wooden craftsmanship and structural components, which incorporate common construction techniques used for it as a traditional knowledge base. The prime objective of this study is to attain an understanding of such construction techniques pertaining to materials and structure, as applied in traditional dwelling in the region. Background study has been conducted to get an idea about how to document the Traditional Knowledge system of ‘Daaru-shilpa’. Literature studies were conducted referring to the UNESCO documents for tackling the Traditional Knowledge system. Various methods adopted to record the carving techniques ,restoration process and joinery systems through interview of experts of the community who inherited the skill. Three case studies have been conducted; Tangiable aspects of the crafts such as joinery details , stories and depiction behind each and every carved panel present on the Temple wall and those construction techniques have been documented. Contextual investigations tell that the spots where the Skill is found. Despite the fact that the specialty has experienced ceaseless change, it's as yet huge in the group. Examination depended on the expertise of Daarushilpa. The Thesis concludes by offering suggestions to protect the expertise of Daaru-shilpa and the customary information framework behind it.