3)Wooden Pillars
Pillars! yet again a majestic feature of chettinad homes! The design of pillars was given more importance as they hold the beams with much strength and the usage of combination of liquid egg white provides the pillar a shiny and a tricky look! The upper and lower portions of the pillar have minute design works, which could not even be imagined how the workers would have done all these with much patience!
4)Walls and Floorings
The walls are embelished with special type of plaster materials called as 'Chettinad plaster' using white 'Vellai poochu', egg plastering, 'Muthu poochu' and also several layers comprising of lime base, jaggery and spices, ground white seashells including etc., This mixture keeps the place cool during hot and humid Indian summers and lasts a lifetime
The floorings are laid with Italian black and white marble with granites at some places or with hand-made tiles from Athangudi which are very cool to walk on.
And lots more! such as Elevated plinth, Facade with sculptures, Double main door, tiled roofs, staircase on one or two corners, beams made of burma teak, window and arches decorated with classic paintings, and finally kitchen at the last 'kattu'. The courtyard had also been designed for harvesting rain water which shows that they were well-planned and much concerned about the future.
The chettinad homes are, in truth, the brilliant work made by our ancestors! Wish i could go back and live there, and also feeling jealous of their life style, when i see my flats again!:(