RESIDENCES_BLUE OR NOT BLUE
The Indian houses can assume various architectural forms depending on the caste of the owner, very often is the appearance of the house itself a way to affirm their membership to a specific community or to a particular social class. However there are some aspects in every Indian house which never change- the organization of the interior space, the level of privacy of different rooms and the presence of spatial elements with specific roles. Beginning from the outside, each house has a stone element called OTTA ; it’s always placed in front of the main entrance and is an extension of the interior space of the house. For the social value that has can also be considered a semi-private space of the street as it used as a resting place that brings together members of various families living side by side. Once inside the element of the threshold called UMBARO represents the physical barrier between the inside and the outside. It is considered extremely rude to cross the threshold unless accompanied by the owner of the house who usually introduces guests in a room called DIWANKHANA: the only place in the house where he can stay without violating the privacy of the members of the house. Subsequently, the house is equipped with a small kitchen; the RASODU. That’s the room of the house where women spends most of their time. Advancing further the threshold of what the Indians call OSARI is crossed. That is the room in direct contact with the inner courtyard; the true heart of the Indian home. Each house has its own courtyard that serves as a source of light and ventilation. Usually the OSARI is an open porch where family members gather to talk and spend time together. It is therfore very private and here normally visitors are not allowed. At the rear of the house there are the stairs leading to the upper floor or directly to the terrace there are also the bedrooms.Going up the stairs there is always a terrace, the AGASHI, which is very important from a symbolic point of view because it is the area of the house which is the closest to the sky.
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