Acknowledgements
The Present day Mansions of Chettinadu Every study is worth its while, if it includes the present day observations and on goings. This chapter therefore includes case studies of four famous chettinad mansions in various stages of disappearance. The historical, architectural and view points of the family who owns it are included in it, which aids in making this study complete.
List of Plates The Introduction
1
This chapter strives to identify the need for conserving the chettinad architecture, bringing the focus to the aims and objectives of the fore mentioned topic. It also briefly underlines the scope and the restrictions that may arise in the process, along with the methodology and strategies that are going to be adopted in achieving the goal.
Proposals to Conserve the Heritage of Chettiars Now, after familiarizing ourselves with the basic outline of this dissertation, this chapter proceeds on to clearly explain the extents of the chetinad region both geographically and culturally. It also gives us an insight into the physical context including the planning layout, open space character and administrative boundaries, which helps in understanding its rich history as well.
3
The Inheritance- A unique and a little known heritage
The very core of this topic, we understand the very essential trademarks of chettinad architecture in this topic, by looking into the territorial and historical aspects. The chettinad architecture is very elaborately detailed out to the extent of explaining the urban planning character too. The Chettiars hospitality is also looked into, which had an impact on their architecture or vice-versa.
2
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The Chettinadu Region
This chapter discusses various solutions that can be achieved through various means like establishing conservation committees, creation of development plans, training people from various sectors to assist in the same. It also discusses the impact of tourism on conservation and also the functions and responsibility of the managing bodies and government, determined to provide a successful long time solution for re-vitalizing the chettinad architecture.
Reference Bibiliography Glossary
5
The clear location of the Chettinadu region is shown in these maps alongwith the differentiation of six Vattakais. All the 75 villages are located with the number prescribed in the next page with the respective village names.
Plate 2.1 (2.1.1-2.1.3) Source: The Chettiar Heritage. 6A
Plate 2.2 (2.2.1 - 2.2.9): The nine clan temples with the reference of direction to Karaikudi. First column top to bottom: Ilayathangudi, Mathur, Vairanpatti, Pillaiyarpatti and Nemam. Second column top to bottom: Soorakudi, Iraniyur, Velangudi and Iluppakudi. 9A Source: The Chettiar Heritage.
1
2
1- Temple 2- Tank/Kanmai
Schematic sketch of Athangudi Plate 2.3.1: Courtesy -Nikhil
3 2
1
1- Temple 2- Tank/Kanmai 3- Kanadukathan Palace
Schematic sketch of Kanadukathan Plate 2.3.2: Courtesy -Nikhil
These sketches showing a typical characteristics of any Chettinadu Village, with a temple and tank as their center. The layout of any village has been worked out very judiciously by the Chettiars then. This temple tank also acts as the central openspace for any panchayat gathering that can happen in any of the villages. Street character of a Chettinadu street Plate 2.3.3: Courtesy -Nikhil
10A
Plate 2.4 (2.4.1- 2.4.5): The village temples with the tanks and Urani in front of them. First column from top: Ayyanar Temple and Nagara Sivan temple, Karaikudi. Second column from top: Kandamanur temple, Athangudi temple and Kallal temple. Source: The Chettiar Heritage
Plate 2.5: Ayyanar temple at Palaiyur, near Kanadukathan. These are considered to be the guardians of the villages which stand tall and fierce in the temple. Source: The Chettiar Heritage
11A
3.1.2
3.1.1
3.1.3
3.1.5
Plate 3.1.1- 3.1.5: The traditional reception area, seen above, comprises two broad, raised ledges (thinnai). The wooden ceiling over is supported by solid wooden or polished granite pillars topped by elaborately carved capitals and brackets. Counterclockwise from left are the courtyard areas in houses at The Bangala Kanadukathan and Dakshina Chitra. Source: Author
3.1.4 13A
3.4
3.3
3.2
Plate: The above pictures with the Ceramic tiles gleaming and colourful, are used for floors and ceiling and walls in the reception areas and valavus. Left top Picture depicting the Belgian stain glass at Pothiyan’s house, Karaikudi. Spanish mirror unpreserved in the Athangudi house. A pillar with amazing craftsmanship in the house at Dakshina chitra Plate 3.1-3.5, Source :Author
3.5
3.6
A very common sight of the whole comunity sleeping together after the end a day at the festivals happening at Chettinadu region.
Plate 3.7, Source: The Chettiar Heritage
14A
These houses were built on a rectangular traversal plot that stretches across two streets with the front door opening in the front street and the back in the second. If one looks in from the main threshold the eye travels in a straight line across the series of inner courtyards each a diminishing rectangle of light which leads out finally to the back door.
Plate 3.8, Source :Author
Plate 3.9, Source :The Chettiar Heritage
Apart from the sidedishes, the lunch will have a couple of different savoury rice helpings on the leaf when laid out. The staple will be helpings of white rice served repeatedly. A different gravy being sequentially served to lace each helping. The paniyaram, as already mentioned, vadai and aapam - in the breakfast leaf picture are the usual supplementary breakfast here. 18A