When Homes Become Poetry: Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma at the 32nd Beyond Square Feet Lecture

Homes transcend their physical structure of walls and roofs, embodying emotions, memories, and dreams. This profound perspective was eloquently articulated by renowned poet and lyricist Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma during the 32nd edition of the Beyond Square Feet Lecture Series. The event, organised by Asset Homes as part of the World Habitat Day celebrations, offered an insightful exploration into the poetic dimensions of home.

Shri. Vayalar Sarath Chandra Varma reflected on the longstanding tradition among Malayalam lyricists of transforming the idea of home into poetry. He highlighted the works of Shri. Vayalar, Shri. P. Bhaskaran, Shri. Bichu Thirumala, and Shri. Ramesan Nair, noting that their artistic expressions share a common spirit. According to Vayalar, their songs portray the builder not merely as a constructor of houses, but as a creator of universes – someone who persistently refines the ‘stones of ignorance’ to build a ‘temple of wisdom’.

He drew evocative comparisons between how different generations of poets have represented homes. For instance, he referenced Vayalar’s “Akhilandala Shilpi" and “Narayanakili", as well as Ramesan Nair’s depiction of a house surrounded by a sandalwood-scented garden. Vayalar observed that in Bichu Thirumala’s songs, a home is elevated to the status of a temple – a sacred place where the heart experiences its deepest freedom.

Concluding his address, Vayalar underscored that the true essence of a home is realised through the presence of a woman who serves as a wife, mother, and the emotional anchor of the household.

The gathering was formally welcomed by Mr. V. Sunil Kumar, Founder and Managing Director of Asset Homes. In conjunction with the World Habitat Day festivities, a workshop and demonstration focusing on the construction of quality housing complexes were also organised for architecture and civil engineering students. This initiative reinforced Asset Homes’ dedication to fostering sustainable and meaningful living spaces.

Also featured in:

1. https://www.enlightmedia.in/news/details/asset–beyond-square-feet-32nd-lecture-vayalar-and-p-are-the-ones-who-beautifully-lyrics—–our-housing-ideas-vayalar-sarathchandra-varma-with-bhaskaran

2. https://nattuvarthamanam.com/ntv/46706