|
Chettinad- The Land of Heritage
& Devotion It is a place that enchants and enhances the soul. Chettinad
is the homeland of the Nattukottai Chettiars called the Nagarathars, are a prosperous
banking and business community. It is a tourist's paradise with a difference, and
one which certainly cannot be missed by the discerning tourist. A stray thundershower
adds to the charm of the place, churning up the red soil, and filling up the temple
tanks. The palatial mansions, makes Chettinad a place of rare charm, and a must
visit destination.
 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. High ceilings, airy and well ventilated, the house has one
courtyard near the entrance leads to the imposing main door, usually made of wood
with extraordinarily intricate carvings of mythological figures.
The thinnai is a long narrow raised platform
that serves as a meeting place and also as a kind of accomodation for travellers
and visitors. The inner courtyard has special significance. It is lined with classically
beautiful pillars made out of granite or teakwood. The courtyard serves as the venue
for the many ceremonies that the community performs from births to weddings to death.
|
