It all started two decades ago.

When in the Middle East, managing a paint company, associating with a number of interesting projects opened my eyes to the marvel of architectural design. The way beautiful edifices were created from the ground up. How professionally and systematically iconic buildings were built, and maintained. It captivated me.

It was around this time that I thought of having a home of my own in Puthur, Palakkad. There were limitations – what was available for me was only 3 1/2 cents (less than 2 grounds) of land, of triangular shape with two tough curves on the longer side. It was a challenge, but I wanted my home to be here – next to the temple, the people, the culture that my family and I had grown up with. The limitations didn’t matter as much as those emotions did.

I had had a dream home in mind, built in the style of traditional valluvanadan architecture — a ‘naduthalam’ (centre courtyard), a ‘thara mme thara’ (raised living area), lots of wooden pillars – the works. And my wife was keen on an exclusive puja space.

Meanwhile, I had collected quite a bit of period furniture, mostly from my wife’s heritage tharavadu house in Thrissur, a few from an antique store, and these needed to be accommodated as well.  

Many idlis were had over dinner as discussions raged on with my most understanding friend who is a civil Auto CAD draughtsman and he helped me technically fit what I wanted. There were, of course, sacrifices — the second bedroom in the ground floor had to be cut, for instance, but the plan was set.

My dream home was going to come alive.

I started my construction in earnest, while I was away in the Middle East and dropped in every four months for a few days to take it closer to my dream.