CHETTINAD ARCHITECTURE

Chettinad Mansion

When the Chettiars came from Kaveri Poompattinam and settled in the various villages in Chettinad, they first lived in mud and stone houses. It was during the period 1850 to 1935 they constructed huge mansions extending to 30000 to 45000 square feet. Between 1935 and 1945 Art Deco type of houses were constructed. After 1945 present type of small houses were constructed.

This article deals with huge mansions constructed between 1850 to 1935

A normal building is constructed in Two ” Manai” . Each Manai is slightly less than  half acre.Size of a house is nearly one acre..

Planning of the Village- When the Chettiars decided to stay in a village, they allotted  a separate place to the natives, called nattars and chose another area for their settlement. They were called as nagarathars. The villages were well planned

Kanadukathan is a wealthy village in Chettinad. A google earth picture of the village , given below , shows how well the village was planned

Google Earth Picture

The streets which meet at right angle forms  a grid pattern. Drinking water Tank is in the middle of the village.

Some houses have a compound wall. The compound wall or the side wall of the houses are aligned to the streets which run East to West.

Materials Used for Construction-Carefuly chosen materials were used for the construction. Black Granite from Spain, Wood from Burma and Ceylone, Cast Iron from England,  local stone, and lime morter were used for pillars.

Italian Marble. Athangudi tiles and Anai adi kallu are used for the flooring. Lime morter mixed with Red oxide forms another interesting material for flooring. The surface of this flooring and that of Athangudi tiles get more and more polish as moping of the floors are done.

Design-Houses constructed in earlier days had a couple of Thinnai  (Elevated Flooring) at the entrance of the house, where local visitors are received. In houses constructed later they were shifted inside the house for more privacy. They were called as Pattalai.

When we enter the house we first come across a rich construction where marble and granite is lavishly used. This demonstrates the richness of the owner.  This is called as Kalyana Kottakai (Marriage Hall). Though the marriages are conducted in the central Court Yard under the sun usually in the fore noon when the sun is rising.

A picture of a Kalyana Kottakai is given below:

Kalyana Kottagai

Then Comes the central court yard ( Valavu ). The Valavu consists of Pillars surrounded by a walk way (Patthi) with  Rettai Arais (double rooms). The Rettai arais is used for storing costly materials. On either side of the Valavu Arais there are Bojana Halls.

A Picture of the Valavu in the Chettinadu Mansion is given below.

Central Court Yard

Followed are the Rendam Kattu, Moonam Kattu and the backyard . The Rendam Kattu and Moonam Kattu are used by Women. The backyard consists of some rooms which can be rented out to the servants. In some houses the kitchen is built in the last court yard so that the inmates do not get the smoke.

Light and Air:-The very fact there are several Court yards provides for enough light and air inside the building. The windows and doors are aligned to be in a straight line.

Conservation of Water:-Utmost care is taken to conserve water. The rain water is sub divided into three categories. Water from clean sources are collected in a well constructed open tank (oorani) in the middle of the village and used for drinking purposes. Hot sun rays are the disinfectant.  Water from less clean sources is used for bathing purposes. Storm water is collected through well constructed drain channels in a kammai(pond) and it is used for agricultural purposes.

Human Comfort-The design of the houses gives importance to human comfort which is essentially controlled by three factors namely.

Temperature

Airflow

Humidity

Temperature is brought down inside the building by the tall ceiling, the material used, and the ventilators provided. No wall is exposed to the Sun particularly in the Kalyana Kotakai. All the three forms of heat transfer namely, Conduction, Convection and Radiation are stopped. Air flow is created by the cross ventilation as the doors and windows are aligned in straight lines. Outside air cools down, comes in, and creates a more comfortable atmosphere.

Wherever first floor is not there a Muchu(Loft) is provided. The Muchu type of construction is appreciated by all the  foreign architects who visit chettinadu as it enhances the Human Comfort.

Stability of Construction:- Well maintained buildings are found to be structurally very stable even after 150 years. Generally the foundation is approximately 1.2 Meters below the ground level in hard gravel soil .

Wherever Iron beams  are used, they are supported by a wide  stone at the end of the beam inside the wall so that the load is spread on the wall.

Need to preserve the houses:-.It is estimated that there are about 11000 huge mansions in Chettinad in all the villages put together. Only about 5to 10% of them are maintained properly. Approximately 30% is already lost. Either decayed by itself or deliberately dismantled. It is our job to preserve the balance 60% of the buildings. Unesco has shown some interest and conducted a couple of meetings. The undersighned had the opportunity to attend them. Of course UNESCO is not going to give a bag of money to us to preserve the buildings. Their process is time taking. It is for us to take the initiative.

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