The Grove: Architectural Fusion and Heritage
By J. Sumathi
Summary
The Grove, a heritage bungalow in Chennai built in 1885-86, exemplifies a fusion of ancient, medieval, and modern architectural styles. Notable for its two-story structure, the bungalow features a prominent southern entrance with a large portico adorned with pillars resembling those of Madurai’s Thirumalai Nayak Palace, blending Vijayanagara and colonial influences. The main hall, called Kalyanakoodam, serves as the centerpiece, featuring polished pillars, large windows for ventilation, and a high ceiling supported by imported iron beams from Dorman Long & Co. Surrounding the hall are rooms, including a Mutram (courtyard) with red-oxide flooring and wooden pillars on circular stone bases to protect against rainwater. The upper floor showcases traditional wooden architecture, including two halls with latticed ceilings, a library room with a Belgian false ceiling and floral-designed glass windows, and hexagonal rooms. The bungalow incorporates extensive use of glass, iron grills, and French wooden shutters, with floors decorated in black-and-white marble tiles and colorful designs. Constructed with brick masonry and finished with chunnam (a durable plaster made from oyster shells), the bungalow’s Madras terrace roof, covered with Mangalore tiles, reflects 19th-century colonial and Tamil Nadu traditions. Now housing the C.P.R. Institute of Indological Research and Library with 20,000 books, The Grove remains a well-preserved heritage site, blending European and Tamil architectural elements.
Conclusion
The Grove, a heritage bungalow built in 1885-86 in Chennai, exemplifies the fusion of Vijayanagara and colonial architectural styles, reflecting the cultural and historical synthesis of the era. Its notable features include the Kalyanakoodam, a grand hall with polished pillars and strategic ventilation, the Mutram courtyard designed for rainwater management, and the upper floor's wooden architecture with imported Belgian elements. The bungalow's adaptive reuse as the C.P.R. Institute of Indological Research and Library, housing a rare collection of 20,000 books, underscores its enduring legacy. The integration of traditional materials like Burma teak and Coromandel Coast chunnam plaster, alongside European influences such as Gothic-style windows and French shutters, highlights the architectural innovation of the period. As a heritage site, The Grove serves as a tangible link to Chennai's colonial past and a functional space for preserving and studying historical and cultural knowledge.