We have taken Chettinad architecture as our topic .
What is chettinad?
Chettinad is a region of the Sivagangai district of southern Tamil Nadu state, India. Karakudi is known as the capital of Chettinad which includes Karaikudi and 74(traditionally its said as 96) other villages. Chettinad is the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars (Nagarathar), a prosperous banking and business community, many of whose members migrated to South and South east Asia, particularly Ceylon and Burma, in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The people of Chettinad speak Tamil. Today there is a diaspora of Chettinad people, who live in the USA, Singapore, Malasiya, among other places.Chettinad is well known for its Chettinad cuisine, Mansions, and Temples
Chettinad houses
The Chettinad houses are built on a rectangular, traversal plot that stretches across two streets,with the front door open into the first street and the back into the second. Looking in from the main threshold, your eye travels in a straight line across a series of inner counrtyards,each a diminishing rectangle of light, leading out to the back door.
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Some information about CHETTINAD HOUSES
Most of the Chettiyar’s house in Chettinad consists of thousands of windows, hundreds of wooden pillars, door frames with Gajalakshmi who symbolize Goddess of wealth and a Kumbam(brass pot) with sprouting leaves engraved on them to symbolize wealth. Some buildings has a scene-by-scene narration of Mahabharatha and Ramayana in its wooden panels and walls. Some mansions are filled up with pillars of different materials such as wood, stone, plaster and metal. These pillars are coated with egg white stand tall in marvelously big dinner hall called Kalyana Kottahai. These houses may also contain raised platform known as ‘Thinnai’ used to protect from sun and rain.
History of CHETTINAD HOUSES
Karaikudi and 74 other villages comprise Chettinad, the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars. The Chettiars were a prosperous banking community who ventured overseas to do business in Southeast Asia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their legacies are the fascinating houses of Chettinad they built. These are houses have to be seen to be believed and this would justify a trip to Chettinad
The outer area of CHETTINAD HOUSES
First comes an outer thinai - Large raised platforms on either side of the central corridor, where the host would entertain male guests. The platforms lead off on one side into store rooms and massive granaries and on the other, into the (Kanakupillai) or Accountant's room. This area also usually leads off to the men's well.
Accountant's room
The huge front area of CHETTINAD HOUSES
From here, the huge elaborately carved teak front door, with image of Lakshmi carved over the head and navaratna or nine precious gems buried under the (Vasapadi) threshold. The door leads into the first open air courtyard, with pillared corridors running on each side that lead into individual rooms, each meant for a married son, each with a triangular slot cut into the wall for the evening lamp.
Well
The second courtyard of CHETTINAD HOUSES
Then comes the second courtyard with large dining spaces on either side. The third courtyard was for the women folk, while the fourth, or nalankattai comprised the kitchens, leading out to the backyard with its women's well and grinding stones. The wealthier the merchants the larger the house, often spreading out to a second floor.
More informations about CHETTINAD HOUSES
Chettinad Houses Chettinad, rich in cultural heritage, art and architecture, is well known for its houses, that are embellished with marble and Burma teak. The houses have wide inner courtyards and spacious rooms. The grandly and wonderfully embellished houses were created reflect the prosperity of the Nagarathar community. The basic design comprises of a "thinnai" which is an enclosed courtyard and this is surrounded by family rooms. The walls are smooth and are made of special plaster. The plaster involves the application of the finely ground mixture of powdered shell, lime, jaggery and spices, including gallnut (myrobalan), to walls. This technique keeps the interior of the house cool during the hot and humid Indian summers and lasts a lifetime. The architectural structure of a typical Chettiar home is a study in how a human dwelling can be constructed in harmony with nature.
CHETTINAD Architecture
Most of the Chettinad mansions are treasure troves that mirror the passion for art and craft in this ‘Nagathar’ – the mercantile community that had the reputation of establishing and running their business ventures from East India - especially Calcutta to South east countries during 19th and 20th century.. From birth to burial, the Nagarathars observed numerous ceremonies. All such functions were held and being held within their own premises as many of their palatial Chettinad buildings have Marriage Halls (‘Kalyana Kottagai’) and Banquet Hall (‘Bhojan Hall’). Like Personal Computers (PC) theirs is the only community which own personal ‘Kalyana mandap’ and Personal ‘Panthi kattu’.
The most important aspect of any discussion on Nagarathars Chettinad Architecture must appreciate that their vernacular architecture is an amalgam of Indigenoust and European style evolved over years and refined in a phased manner. The source of inspiration derived from out of ‘Nagarathars’ connection with Trade, Travel, Temples, Tradition and Taste. (All these aspects will find a place in subsequent discussions). Such buildings, as presumed to be constructed only with bricks, mortar and wood, is in fact accomplished with sweat, frugality and piousness.
The most important aspect of any discussion on Nagarathars Chettinad Architecture must appreciate that their vernacular architecture is an amalgam of Indigenoust and European style evolved over years and refined in a phased manner. The source of inspiration derived from out of ‘Nagarathars’ connection with Trade, Travel, Temples, Tradition and Taste. (All these aspects will find a place in subsequent discussions). Such buildings, as presumed to be constructed only with bricks, mortar and wood, is in fact accomplished with sweat, frugality and piousness.
The buildings constructed by them in a phased manner with the earnings made in ‘FarEast’ countries on conclusion of one assignment - ‘Kanakku’ (say for a period of three or five years as per the contract in writing between the owner ‘Mothalali’ and his Agent-‘kootali’). Buildings are divided into portions -‘Kattu’ . Most of the buildings have not less than two to three portions eg: first ‘kattu’ second ‘kattu’ and third ‘kattu. The walls of Chettinad nagarathars’ buildings are embellished with ‘Chettinad plaster’ whose other names are –
1) White –‘Vellai poochchu’,
2) Egg plastering and
3)Muthu Poochchu’.
Such walls were coated with several layers comprising mixture of lime base, ground white seashells, liquid egg white, etc.
1) White –‘Vellai poochchu’,
2) Egg plastering and
3)Muthu Poochchu’.
Such walls were coated with several layers comprising mixture of lime base, ground white seashells, liquid egg white, etc.
Thinnai
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