Chettinad Homes

My India! as unique as always! and in her ARCHITECTURAL STYLES too! Greatness of a Country's Civilization depends upon the magnificence of its architectural legacy and My India is surely among the foremost! Especially the buildings constructed by the Chettinad people are still unique in their design, strength and durablility! Chettinad homes were usually constructed like a palace and they were divided into portions-what they say as  'Kattu'. Most of the buildings have not less than two to three portions as first 'kattu', second 'kattu' and third 'kattu'. Marvelous features of the chettinad buildings are: 1)Entrance Arch The Entrance is carved specially with burma teak wood with infinitesimal designs and of Hindu god idols, or with mythological figures which gives us a gorgeous feel as we get into it! 2)Verandah The open courtyard in chettinad homes called as 'Verandah' where traditional chettinad homes have atleast two open courtyards with covered verandah running around them. The courtyard is the most elaborate portion and spacious living rooms open into the covered verandah. During rainy season it will be really awesome to watch the rain drops falling down the open courtyard. It may also sometimes tempt us to behave like a kid.:) The Courtyard serves as the venue for many ceremonies of the community starting from births to weddings to death.

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!:(

A virtual tour to chettinad palace- One of the seven wonders of India