ABSTRACT
This chapter presents some observations of traditional Brahmin houses in small towns in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The towns considered were selected for their relative lack of modernization. Only two are located on a railway line. In Tamil Nadu they are: Nanguneri, Padmanabhapuram, Kumbakonam, and Aruppukottai. In Karnataka they are: Chitradurga, Belur, Mulbagal, Hukeri, and Talkad. In contrast to the Brahmin houses of Aruppukottai are those of weavers and a street of Saliar houses. Amos Rapoport briefly mentions Indian urban house types, pointing out that in south India the enclosed central court arrangement is less common than in north India. Contrasting with the Brahmin houses are those on Chetti Street, occupied by members of a business caste. The elbow-like roof supports are found on many old houses in Chitradurga. The Tamil houses all had a raised pial, while more of the Karnataka houses had verandahs.
