Pranam
Thalam is a sanskrit term. Smd Bhagavatham 10.66 EXT 34 padbhyāṁ
tāla-pramāṇābhyāṁ kampayann avanī-talam so 'bhyadhāvad vṛto bhūtair
dvārakāṁ pradahan diśaḥ *padbhyām*—with his legs; *tāla*—of palm trees;
*pramāṇābhyām*—whose measure; *kampayan*—shaking; *avanī*—of the earth;
*talam*—the surface; *saḥ*—he; *abhyadhāvat*—ran; *vṛtaḥ*—accompanied;
*bhūtaiḥ*—by ghostly spirits; *dvārakām*—toward Dvārakā; *pradahan*—burning
up; *diśaḥ*—the directions.From that sprang ATALA, SUTALA, BHUTALA,
MAHATALA ETC ETC. K R IRS 21121
On Wed, 20 Jan 2021 at 21:39, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <
[email protected]> wrote:
> *THALAM (HALL- LIVING ROOM)*
>
> 1. What is thalam?
>
> In old nalukettu type homes there were three halls except on the west
> surrounding the centre open area called Nadumuttam. On west side there used
> to have the ARA, divine room of the house before which nilavilakku is
> lighted in the morning and evening. On southern side a bed room and
> northern side kitchen were provided. As extension on western side more
> rooms and in front a chavadi through were provided in later periods.
>
> My note- In central Kerala Agraharam type homes are/were lesser for
> iyers. Most are independent homes earlier and now also. My first seeing
> agraharam type of homes were in Palghat in earlier 1971’s.
>
> 2. How many thalams?
>
> These halls were called Thalam. These Thalams were used for all religious
> functions. My ancestral home was a nalukettu. It had THREE THALAMS. The
> northern thalam was used for dining, and wet grinder (Attukal) was there in
> a convenient place. The eastern thalam was having lesser space and
> accommodated a cot for grandmother. And southern thalam was more
> spacious. It was called thekkae thalam.
>
> Thekkae thalam to the left of Nadumuttam (Centre open area) was used for
> most functions. Nadu muttam was provided with a sandy surface and helped
> for getting sunlight to thalam. By falling of sunlight on thalam and
> nadumuttam, TIME WAS DECIDED in the day. Even I recollect calculating
> approximate time. On rainy days only MANA KANAKKU. In most Nalukettu
> Thekkethalam was for all functions.
>
> 3. Thalam and furniture
>
> East and Southern Thalams were provided with furniture like cot, bench,
> wooden chair, and a make shift thookkuvanchi. On the top, about 6 feet
> height a wooden raft was there at the western end to keep pillows, mats
> etc. when not in use. It was our duty to roll mats with pillows and keep on
> the raft after sleeping in the night.
>
> 4. Thalam for functions
>
> Southern Thalam was used to conduct auspicious and semi auspicious
> functions. My upanayanam was conducted in the thalam. My both brother’s
> betrothals were performed in the thalam. Even my seemantham was performed
> there.
>
> My father used to perform srardha, re arranging furniture. Eastern thalam
> was used at that time for PERFORMING HOMAM. Southern side was used for
> feeding of Bhokthas.
>
> Though one side was open to natumuttam, there was no fear of any creatures
> entering thalam, since it was kept neat. Even washing hands was not done
> there. I recollect I was made to get down in to nadumuttam for
> mischievous actions. With my height it was not easy to climb up. Somebody
> has to assist. After punishment time, father or mother would take me up!!!
>
>
> In course of years water started clotting, a drainage pipe was laid to
> take water out. At that time about one foot wall was raised on all the
> sides of the nadumuttam. This helped to sit on planks and lean to the
> raised side (Also nil fear of any creatures).
>
> 5. Receiving guests
>
> People (Brahmins) were received in Thalam and asked to sit either on bench
> or on planks as they desired. Others were mostly received in the veranda.
> Only exception was functions and celebrations and VIPS like sreekaryam,
> headmasters, other teachers etc. Local people would take seat in front
> veranda only AT THEIR OWN ACCORD.
>
> 6. Moosa, Bhasmam, dharbahm
>
> Earlier the thalam was having a surface applied with cow dung. When I was
> about 10 years, it was cemented. Moosa with bhasmam (holy ash) and a small
> sandal wood pot were hung from the corners of nadumittam. My father used to
> keep dharbham on the rafts towards nadumuttam on the southern side.
>
> 7. No normal food in take
>
> Most important- For normal taking of food, our eastern and southern
> thalams were never used. During functions it was used to take food items
> also.
>
> 8. Sanctity
>
> Always sastha pooja and kettu nira was conducted in southern thalam. After
> kettu nira food was taken in vadakke thalam before starting to
> pilgrimage.
>
> Today sastha pooja was getting conducted in our local temple. Suddenly in
> my mind the picture of irumudi placed on planks facing east, after pooja
> came to remembrance. After returning also irumudi was kept on planks
> kept ready on hearing saranam. After deeparadhana to Irumuti, garlands
> were removed (custom of our home) and put on irumudi.
>
> About 7 years back my house was reconstructed with RCC roof by my
> brother, still thalam kept in the same area, however no nadumuttam now. Now
> also the area is called thalam…
>
> 9 Other meanings of thalam
>
> 1. Thalam is also used to mean the application of cooling oil on the head.
> It is a saying – Thalayil nellikka thalam vaikkanam (Apply special amla
> oil on centre of head). This is told of the people behave like insane.
>
> Applying Thalam is an important ayurvedic treatment. It cools the head.
> Even before bathing kids and infants, a little oil is kept over the head
> for a short time.
>
> 2 Thalam is also used for the bottom of the country boats. One has to
> ensure thalam should not have any leaking holes. Even for a small hole
> bitumen is applied after inserting a wooden plug. For large boats even a
> good metallic sheet is provided over wooden base. Kerala is the only state
> having a water transport corporation and passenger ferries at scheduled
> times between stations. In Ernakulam between islands and to city there are
> continuous local boat services by Transport Corporation.
>
> 3. Also for the bottom of the wells. In the bottom of wells were more
> springs appear a plank of Amla tree is provided. It is called Nellipati.
> Always clay formation will be there in the bottom of wells. Standing on
> some rocky parts well is cleaned at bottom.
>
> 10. Padinjare thalam
>
> In my home one palace itself is called PADINJARAE THALAM. This was the
> first palace having tharayodu (brown tiles) for flooring. On those days
> tharayodu was a luxury. Today we use the type of tile on the terrace. My
> periamma used to work in the palace as cook for a long time, after the
> demise of my periappa.
>
> Writer- R. Gopala Krishnan, 77, retired AGM Telecom Trivandrum. Earlier
> posted on 02-2014. Now re posted after editing and updating.
>
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