KODIALGUTHU - A TRADITIONAL GUTHU HOUSE IN THE HEART OF MANGALORE
By Sharon DSouza
HERITAGE
Let's take you to the West Coast of India, to MANGALORE!
WELCOME to Kodialguthu, an approx 250 year old heritage property that now belongs to 2 sisters.
What are Guthu Houses?
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Guthu Mane are the homes of Bunt royalty, of bygone years. They are typically located in the centre of the family’s land holdings.
The Bunt community follows a matrilineal system of inheritance.Jyoti and Pratibha are the current owners. These are portraits of the family matriachs immediately preceeding the current generation.
The large houses have a typlical design. First, a large front door called the hebbagilu that has 1 storey. Yes, it is more like a building than a door!
This particular guthu house has a stunning wooden balcony that can't be missed. The younger sister Pratibha Karanth owns this portion
This part of the house has been restored and is currently used by INTACH India. Art exhibitions are also held in this area.
The hebbagilu leads out into a courtyard, and then to the main house. You can see this in the image below, where the last door is the door to the main house.
The backdoor of the hebbagilu is pictured here. The courtyard is vast and has beautiful old trees.
The main house has a renovated entrance, and the front door leads into a verandah called the jaal in the old days!
This is an old picture of the entrance to this house. It had a thatched roof back then, because it kept the home cool!
The jaal was previously open without a doorway, but it has now been enclosed.
The bench seen here is called a vakil bench, a piece of furniture that is found in every old house in this region!
The jaal leads into the Chavadi or the main part of a Guthu house. There is a large wooden canopy that extends across the length of the chavadi
The jaal leads into the Chavadi or the main part of a Guthu house.
There is a large wooden canopy that extends across the length of the chavadi and it supported by gigantic, beautifully carved old wooden pillars.
The family palkhi and the swing where the man of the house used to conduct business, is still intact in the chavadi
Jyothi and her husband Ashok Alva are the current owners of this section of the guthu house.
The stature and elegance of this old home are simply amazing! Kudos to the family for maintaining this space so well!