According to legend, after Parasurama
created Kerala from the sea, various professions essential for the upkeep of the
society were distributed among different communities. In doing so, architecture
and construction of temples were given to a few Namboothiri families and
Kanippayyur was prominent among them. This family, even now retains the
centuries old tradition and forefathers of Krishnan Namboothiripad have had the
distinction of being advisors to the erstwhile kingdoms of Cochin, Malabar and
Travancore.
The ancestral home (Illam) is more than one hundred and
fifty years old and it was a Pathinaaru (16) Kettu, a status symbol in ancient
Kerala. They have shared their knowledge with others and presented Kerala with
efficient architecture. Astrological tradition may not be as old as that of
architecture but Krishnan Namboothiripad’s ancestors were all proficient in
Ganithashasthra.
Kanippayyur Krishnan Namboothiripad had the good fortune
to grow up under the tutelage of his grandfather's brother Panditharajan
Kanippayyur Shankaran Namboothiripad. This doyen amongst the family members was
architect par excellence, astrologer, astronomer and historian. At a young age
itself Krishnan Namboothiripad was exposed to Sthapathya Veda and Vaastu
Shasthra.
Krishnan Namboothiripad is the present custodian of Kerala's
architectural tradition, and is a globetrotting architect. He is the Dean of all
the universities of Mahirishi Mahesh Yogi and spends six months in a year at the
Mahirishi’s Holland based complex, teaching and providing advice on the
traditional architecture. He is also the Dean of Vasthu Vidya Gurukulam based at
Aranmula in Kerala and Chairman of the Kozhikode-based Vaastu Vidya
Prathisthan.
Temples designed by Krishnan Namboothiripad can be seen in
Bombay, Pune, and at home. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum at the famous
Paaramekkavu Temple of Thrissur stands testimony to his architectural
marvel.
After doing his post-graduation in Mathematics, he worked as
lecturer at Christ College, Irinjalakuda and Sree Kerala Varma College,
Thrissur. But this was not his destiny and soon Krishnan Namboothiripad adorned
the family mantle in 1966, and since then has not looked back. According to
Krishnan Namboothiripad, building, just like the human body, consists of five
elements (Panchabhoothas) and seven factors (Sapthadhaathukkal). Wear and tear
occur in both and timely attention can improve the life
span.
Address
Vasthu
Kanippayyur Mana
[Shankara
Nilayam]
P.O. Kunnamkulam –680503
Trichur District, Kerala,
India
Phone: +91 4885 222654
Fax: +91 4885
226854
kanipayur@sancharnet.