Ainmanes of Kodagu: Ancestral Homes of Kodagu and Their Socio-Cultural Significance

The book deals with the ainmane or ancestral home of the native communities of Kodagu (Coorg, Karnataka) and their socio-cultural significance. Examining the ainmane as architectural expressions of the culture of the people, it throws light on the way of life that the ainmane symbolises, structures in the ainmane complex and its architectural features. It views the functional role of the ainmane as a place where the members of the okka gather on important ceremonies. It analyses how the structures reflect the strength and vitality of the okka or patrilineal clans of Kodagu and their culture and lineage, and showcases the traditions associated with them that play an important role in the lives of the people. The work is based on extensive fieldwork and includes illustrations like photographs, maps and floor plans and summary tables on ainmane mentioning traditional and non-traditional ainmane, number of okka with no ainmane and other details.