ATINER's Conference Paper Series ARC2017-2393: Athens Institute For Education and Research Atiner

ATINER CONFERENCE PAPER SERIES No: LNG2014-1176
Athens Institute for Education and Research

ATINER
ATINER's Conference Paper Series

ARC2017-2393
Architecture: An Heirloom
in the Context of Chettinad, India
Asmita Patwardhan
Visiting Faculty
VIT’s PVP College of Architecture
India
1
ATINER CONFERENCE PAPER SERIES No: ARC2017-2393
An Introduction to
ATINER's Conference Paper Series
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Dr. Gregory T. Papanikos

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This paper should be cited as follows:
Patwardhan, A. (2018). "Architecture: An Heirloom in the Context of

Chettinad, India", Athens: ATINER'S Conference Paper Series, No: ARC2017-
2393.

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ISSN: 2241-2891
15/02/2018
2
Architecture: An Heirloom in the Context of Chettinad, India

Asmita Patwardhan
Abstract
For centuries man has been creating edifices to document his existence on
earth. Globally, we have inherited a large number of such heritage structures. In
most cases, the shelf lives of the buildings are nearing expiration. The
immediate future for these buildings is breakdown, adaptive reuse or downfall.
The ethical high road that is often taken is that architecture is greater than the
sum of its parts, an entirety that cannot be understood or appreciated in
fragments. However, can a piecemeal existence be the future for a heritage
building rather than an impending threat of complete obliteration? Can
architecture exist as a series of fragmented components that can be extracted
singularly and enjoyed as separate entities? Can architecture enjoy a prolonged
shelf life through extracted forms? In south of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu,
near the city of Madurai lies an area called Chettinad. Spreading over seventy
villages, it exhibits homes belonging to the Nattukottai Chettiar community.
Huge 19th century mansions testify the power and community strength through
its architecture. Unfortunately, these mansions now lie desolate in ghost towns
after the mass migration of the community members from their ancestral
villages. Some structures are being subjected to adaptive reuse, while others
will eventually go under the axe. What have emerged as interesting by-products
are huge warehouses situated in prominent towns like Karaikudi and
Kanadukathan that bring down these houses in a systematic format trying to
salvage each and every component in its intact form. These are then sold as
separate components to Southeast Asian countries and within India too. This
paper intends to examine if architecture can be extended beyond its shelf life
through fragmenting its different components, while considering each
component to be an heirloom that can be taken forward to other communities,
regions and purposes.
Keywords: Fragmented, Heirloom, Piecemeal, Salvage, Shelf life.
Acknowledgments: Sincere thanks to Meenakshi Meyyappan, for sharing

her valuable knowledge, resources and involvement in my work. I would
like to thank all respondents and interviewees for their time and valuable
inputs. I would like to express my gratitude to Preeti Dhanvat, M.Arch,
(Conservation), Manjusha Ukidve, MLA and Vinod Dhusia and associates
VDA, Pune for their time and technical support.
3
Introduction
Aim
Architecture is considered a static entity and an immovable asset in the

technical sense. What this paper intends to find out is if architecture is in
fact a pliable commodity that can be handed down from generation to
generation. If it can be treated as an heirloom in such a way that even
though its place, purpose, ownership and meaning alter, it will continue to
carry the ethos of the original building, buildings’ shelf life will be extended
in a regenerated form.
Objectives
i. To identify the heritage value of these palatial homes, over a time

span of roughly two centuries, which reached their pinnacle of
existence and spiraled towards extinction.
ii. To study the socio-economic and political events that shaped the
history of these homes and how that impacted the way the community
built, abandoned or rebuilt their homes.
iii. To examine the demolition activity, its process and its repercussions
on the context.
iv. To understand the process involved in salvaging components from
the houses in their intact form.
v. To comment on the architectural value of new construction or
reconstruction activity and to observe its impacts on this historic
context.
vi. To examine all tangible and intangible aspects prevalent in Chettinad,
which are instrumental in lending heritage value to the context.
Scope
The scope of this paper includes the study of mansions constructed

between the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th
century in the region of Chettinad, Tamil Nadu, India. In focus will be the
vulnerable mansions that fall in line with the traditional style of Chettiar
architecture and are under threat of obliteration or complete transformation.
The paper will try to examine a demonstrative model to convey how
heritage conservation can be achieved both by intervention and education,
so as to prolong the shelf life of the individual buildings and their context.1
Limitation
The paper does not intend to consider town planning or adaptive reuse
policies, but instead focuses on ongoing reconstruction activity that is
1
Case Study Conducted at the end of the Paper (Figure 19).
4
inevitable and alarming because it is a larger, more immediate threat to the

conservation of the dwellings and the stated context.
History and Geography of the Region
Figure 1. Map of India
Source: Author (based on Google maps).
Figure 2. Chettinad Area
Source: Author (based on Google maps).
Chettinad is an area located in the Southeast region of India in the state

of Tamil Nadu near Madurai, India (Figures 1 and 2). There is not enough
documented evidence or resources to demonstrate exactly how this community
5
settled in its current location, but legends, folklore and word of mouth
stories claim that the Nattukottai Chettiars migrated from the coastal areas
of Tamil Nadu towards this arid hinterland hundreds of years ago after
suffering a devastating tsunami (Michell, 2015).
As Chettinad does not have cultivable land, the members of this
community started moving out to other parts of India and abroad to conduct
trade and look for opportunities to establish their businesses in an impactful
way. They had widespread businesses and trade exchanges with Southeast
Asian countries like Burma, Malaysia and Singapore (Evers and Pavadarayan,
2006). It is from these travels that the wealthy merchants sourced exquisite
and expensive materials that went on to become an integral part of the
trademark architectural houses of Chettinad. The mansions of Chettinad are
truly remarkable as they depict an architectural style that is eclectic and
unique. The exterior of these homes are reminiscent of palatial European
buildings, while the interiors are predominantly traditional in character.
Town Planning
Towns in Chettinad mostly adhere to the grid iron pattern. Streets run in
a north-south direction alternating as main streets and utility streets parallel
to each other. Palatial houses span between streets with the depth of the
plots being about 75-100 m (Figure 3). In the north-south direction, houses
are separated by narrow gaps only a meter wide. The placement of houses in
the grid is such that traders and their staff are given priority while allocating
plots. Houses represented families and each house bore a unique abbreviated
name form at the entrance to give information about its occupants (Figure
4). A vision for the future, in terms of planning the towns, is seen in the
integration of systems like drainage and rainwater harvesting as an integral
part of the infrastructure of the town (Michell, 2015).
Figure 3. Palatial House in Kanadukathan
Source: Author.
6
Figure 4. Typical House with Family Name Inscribed
Source: Author.
Temple
The temple has great significance in all stages of life for the Chettiars.
The temple is not necessarily in the town centre like in other towns in Tamil
Nadu (Figure 5). There were ooranis, or manmade water bodies outside
temples, used as sacred waters for religious purposes. There are nine main
temples representing the nine Chettiar clans. These temples are living spaces
visited by the members of the clan for all the lifecycle functions and events.
Figure 5. Clan Temple
Source: (Kannappan, n.d.).
7
Social Order
The Chettiars belong to the Vaishya caste and are devout followers of
Shiva, one of the principal Hindu Gods. There are rules to be followed by
members of the clan, and they are stringently followed. Marriages within the
same clan are prohibited, as well as marrying outside the community. The
home is the centre of all major life events, and hence birth, death, marriages
and coming of age ceremonies are still celebrated only in the ancestral home
with grandeur and fervor. This is one of the primary reasons why houses are
still in use and kept in habitable conditions (Sathappan, 2017). The social
order becomes instrumental in shaping the architecture of the homes, as well
as dictating the rules of design for space making and space allocation within
a house. The boundaries and rules laid down for conducting business and
social behavior are the fundamental principles on which this community is
formed (Meyyappan, 2017).
Residential Unit
The houses of Chettinad are oriented along an East-West axis because

the house as a unit was considered a cosmos within the cosmos, and all the
daily rituals were based on the movement of the sun across the sky. This
orientation also facilitated the free flow of the wind inside the house. In the
longitudinal direction, the houses were organized in terms of use of space
and gender of the occupants. The outer areas of the house were occupied by
the males and the inner portions by the women and servants. The aspects of
public to private zones within the house are also in increasing gradation in
the longitudinal axis. The five main parts of the house are Mugappu,
Valavu, Nadu Vaasal, Irandan Kattu and Moonran Kattu (Figure 8).
Evolution of the Houses and the Materials Employed through 1850-1950
The houses in Chettinad underwent a transformation from simple

dwellings to independent opulent villas between 1850 and 1950. Early houses
were strictly bilaterally symmetrical. This was not strictly adhered to later,
as spaces like Bhojan Salai (dining hall) were added to one side of the house
in the longitudinal direction. Large halls like Kalyanakottai are spaces seen
in the bigger houses running the full width of plot. Early houses were single
storied with pitched roofs and clay tiles. As the traders grew wealthy, the
Thinnai became double storied with elaborate balustrades and raised parapets
with polychrome niches adorned with gods and goddesses and at times
British soldiers. Elements belonging to Art Deco (Figure 6), Art Nouveau
and Neoclassical architecture are integrated in the house facades. These
were applied in the treatment of arches, grills, gates and stain glass paneling
(Figure 7) (Michell, 2015).
8
Figure 6. Art Deco Facade
Source: Author.
Figure 7. Stain Glass Panels
Source: Author.
9
Figure 8. Parts of a Typical Chettiar House
Source: Author based on Plan from (Michell, 2015.)2
2
Plans of the Chettiar homes vary and this plan is only to represent the different spaces.
The scale of the houses can be determined from the plot area which was approximately 75m
x 100m in most cases.
10
Columns were seen in a wide variety from highly ornate, polished

Italian marble and polished local granite columns to unpolished,
unembellished rudimentary granite columns. Monolithic timber columns,
again in varying degree of polish and detail were used as per the space they
occupied. More elaborate materials for public spaces and very simple almost
frugal materials for inner spaces were the order in which material was
employed (Table 1).
Doors and windows also exhibited the same degree of variety and detail
in terms of materials, treatment and decoration. Flooring ranged from local
sun-baked Athangudi tiles to Venetian tiles and Italian marble flooring. The
early houses had only one courtyard and single unit rooms. This later
transformed into two room units lined with long lengths of corridor that
abutted series of courtyards (Michell, 2015) (Figure 9).
Figure 9. Spaces in a Chettiar House and the Variety of Materials Used
Source: Author based on Plan from (Michell, 2015).
11
Table 1. Showing the Range of Materials Employed across the Different

Spaces in the House3
Name of Areas included in the Description of derived materials after
Space house salvaging
Mugappu Thinnai, Pattalai and Columns of polished granite, satin wood,
main door Burma teak wood of highly polished,
embellished and ornate. Japanese and
Venetian wall cladding tiles. Ceiling
tiles, frescoes, murals, brackets and
paintings. Highly carved and detailed
main door, threshold and frieze and
cornice (Figure 10). This door is usually
one of the most expensive of all items
found in the house. Stain glass elements.
Valavu Spaces to be used by Most precious materials are found in the
the joint family first two sections of the house. This
members. section has columns with high degree of
detail and polish. Doors and windows are
also found here that are well crafted and
embellished. Space above Valavu has a
timber roof of superior quality, intricately
carved and balconies that can be taken
apart piece by piece (Figure 11).
Nadu Vaasal This area comprises of Doors and windows with lesser degree of
rooms abutted by long detail and embellishment compared to
colonnades and a first two sections. Well-crafted columns
courtyard. in Burma teak or Satin wood. Gutters and
awnings in metal. Timber sloping roof
with clay tiles. Staircases are also found
in varying degree of detail in this part. At
times they are highly ornate, spiral or
grand in scale .Most are simple straight
flight of steps. Staircases too are taken
apart completely and can be reassembled.
Irandan Space reserved for The materials here are very simple and
Kattu women and children basic. Doors, windows and colonnades
with minimum embellishment and
carving. Structural wood is salvaged from
here and used in making new furniture
items.
Moonran Cooking area and Very frugal, rudimentary materials with
Kattu spaces where servants minimum embellishment are found.
worked Usually simple unpolished granite
columns and stone implements used in
cooking. Windows and doors have no
detailing but quality of the wood is
excellent and can be refurbished and
reutilized.
3
Table is based on observations and fieldwork of author.
12
Figure 10. Ornate Doors, Frieze and Thresholds
Source: Author.
Figure 11. Balconies
Source: Author.
Literary Sources
There is insufficient literary evidence that documents Chettiar houses

from the architectural perspective, as they are privately-owned houses and
not easily accessible to outsiders. This is because the community is very
private and insular. Most sources focus on the economic achievements and
success of the community. Intentions and aspirations of the builders, the
13
social order and lifecycle rituals are major aspects that together shape the
design of the house. These aspects compose together an underlying theme
that connects different houses together to create what is known as the
community model called Chettiar Architecture. In earlier times, the ownership
and maintenance of the homes was clear and easy as joint family and
business structures existed. The subsequent breakdown of the joint family
system and varying economic capacities of the stakeholders make these
units vulnerable and threaten their existence (Michell, 2015).
The construction of the houses and their transformations are directly
linked to the social-political situation influencing the Chettiars within a
given time period. This paper will broadly classify the migration of the
Chettiars into three categories. Each category is significant in terms of
shaping the house designs, building activity and the subsequent dereliction
of the houses.
The first migration occurred in the early 1800’s when they set out to
south-east Asian countries in search of livelihoods (Gopal, 2013). They
established strong businesses outside India and rose to great levels of
affluence. The high aspirations, disciplined behavior and entrepreneurial
qualities of Chettiars abroad allowed them to create enormous wealth, which
in turn supported the opulent building activity of their ancestral homes for
their families. This small community left a significant mark on the world of
trading, economics and banking. It is because of their strict adherence to
rules and structure that the migration, expansion of businesses and
formation of transnational economic network was possible for the Chettiars
outside their homeland (Evers and Payadarayan, 2006).
The political upheavals between the years 1930 to 1945 significantly
disrupted their businesses abroad and caused a sharp decline in their
operations in Singapore and other countries, which sparked an outmigration
to their home country (Gopal, 2013). This was the second migration.
Interestingly a new generation of Chettiars migrated back to Singapore
along with their families this time looking for salaried jobs. The second
migration was the most significant when many families escaped overnight,
empty handed from these places as a repercussion of the Second World War
in 1945.
The third migration took place in the mid-1980’s when the educated
second generation of Chettiars relocated to other parts of the world in search
of better prospects. The steady economic downfall after 1945 led to the
abrupt ending of the building activity of palatial homes in Chettinad.
Breakdown of the joint family structure, litigation and neglect gave rise to a
new trend where houses were torn down, precious materials were sold off,
plots were subdivided between stakeholders according to their shares, and
new construction started taking place. The demolition activity became a
structured business, and contractors started salvaging, repairing and selling
building parts in a piecemeal manner. These expensive materials and
building components were in popular demand as they were exquisite and in
very good condition.
In April 2014, a submission was made by the permanent delegation of
India to UNESCO, titled Chettinad Village Clusters of the Tamil Merchants
14
(UNESCO, 2014). According to this document, the area of Chettinad

comprises 76 villages and two major towns in the Sivagangai and
Pudukkottai districts of Tamil Nadu. The delegation chose three clusters
encompassing a total of 11 villages. The delegation earmarked the exact area
for recommendation based on the qualities of the villages displaying OUV or
Outstanding Universal Value. The submission found that the structures,
architecture and villages of the area fit into three (criterion iii, v and vi
namely) of the several categories prescribed by the operational guidelines
for the Implementation of World Heritage Convention (http://whc.unesco.
org/en/guidelines/, n.d.).
The manner and style of construction is heritage material as they
demonstrate and adhere to several criterions outlined by UNESCO and comply
with the NARA document. The travels and the trade exchanges of this
community with other parts of the world gave rise to an architectural style
that is indicative of an interchange of human values. Almost 10,000 to
15,000 structures of daunting scale and proportions exist here that are
unique in comparison to houses anywhere else in India.4 The grand plan,
impressively tall facades, balustrades, loggias and corridors make it a
composite style in itself. The material pallet comprises expensive materials.
An extract from the document states the following:
Teak wood was imported from Burma, satin wood from Ceylon, marble
from Italy and Belgium, cast iron and steel from UK and India, ceiling in metal
plates from Great Britain, tiles from Bombay, Japan, Germany, France and
England, chandeliers from Belgium, France and Italy. As they required the
best, they also brought skills from different regions of India such as
woodcarving, frescoes and egg-plastering.5
The Chettiars took into consideration the climatic aspects of the region,
which is hot and arid. The town planning activity included this knowledge
in order to effectively establish a self-sufficient system. Materials were put
to use after careful consideration in order to be sustainable.
The materials used for construction also respond to the climatic
requirements: thick walls of bricks, lime plasters, multiple layer of terracotta
tiles roofing, marbles and stones(sic) floors are essential components.6
Water, a precious commodity was efficiently tapped and stored. Run off
from roofs was collected in gutters that fed wells and tanks. Rainwater was
diverted though channels of drainages to empty into tanks or ponds created
for storage purposes. Slopes of the roofs were also critically managed to
facilitate collection of water.
This water system is comprised of two types of inter-connected networks.
One is inside the villages comprising drainages and ponds (or ooranis). The
other one is made of erys (or Kanmois), traditional surface water storage
reservoirs, spread over the countryside around the villages.7
The architecture of Chettinad is closely bound by life cycle rituals and
traditions. The tangible and intangible aspects of the culture and architecture
4
Data as per (UNESCO, 2014).
5
Italicized portion is an excerpt from the document mentioned (UNESCO, 2014).
6
7
15
are interlinked and interdependent. Even the construction technology and

artisans follow the rules of the community order.
They have been planned by the master masons who built the temples,
the stapathis, and followed the traditional Tamil space organization.8
The submission found all the criteria as per the Nara Document and
every aspect meet the requisite specifications to fit the Authenticity and
Integrity standards.
In the design of individual homes and temples in Chettinad, optimum
flexibility was allowed within an implied standardized template which
helped to create a thematic picture. There are negligible diversions from this
template because the whole town resonates with a unique character, making
it a fine example of community architecture. Chettiars had a strong
socioeconomic structure that guided the family members on matters of
social and economic aspects. The boundaries between commonly owned and
collectively owned were firmly laid down in terms of space, food, money,
maintenance, and ownership of the house (Evers and Payadarayan, 2006).
Unfortunately, as the family size grew and the number of stakeholders
increased, the existence of the houses came under threat because of a lack of
control over operations. Houses are being demolished at an alarming rate
and the context is under threat of obliteration.
The building construction system of these homes is such that dismantling
the entire building into several individual, intact components like door,
windows, columns, etc. is possible. There are several demolition contractors
and warehouses engaged and specialized in this activity and there is a proper
mechanism existing in the villages where houses are auctioned and pulled
down. It should be noted that these homes are demolished but are replaced by
new homes catering to the altered needs of the occupants. There is very small
percentage of buildings which have undergone a change in usage of the
building. At this critical juncture, fundamental questions based on the whole
idea of considering demolition an eventuality in the lifecycle of the building
and embracing it with preparedness need to be contemplated.
Research Questions
If one looks at the Hindu religion, to which the Chettiar community

belongs, cycles are considered to be the natural paths of progression for all
forms of life. According to Hindu philosophy, everything that is born
reaches its inevitable perishable end only to manifest as a new form to keep
the cycle of life in constant continuum. This verse from the Bhagvada Gita,
chapter 2, verse 22 says:
vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya navani grhnati naro'parani tatha sarirani

vihaya jirnany anyani samyati navani dehi9
8
9
Bhagvada Gita is a religious text in Sanskrit comprising of 700 verses about the epic
called Mahabharata.
16
Translation:
Just as we discard old clothes that are worn out and replace them with
new clothes. The soul is ready to give up old bodies to accept and reside in
new bodies.
If we can establish a relationship between the mortal body and its

immortal soul can we extend the same concept to a (mortal) building and its
(immortal) purpose or function? If we were to apply this principle to
architecture, it would then seem evident that the shelf life of a building is
meant to be finite until such time that its purpose is redefined. Buildings that
have moved past their original purpose and have found a new purpose need
to be looked at as the ones with a finite shelf life. For such structures, can
demolition act as a mere pause point and not necessarily an endpoint? The
fragmented extracted forms of the original building can then find a new
purpose in a new building thereby extending the shelf life of the original
building. Aristotle10 said:
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
In Chettinad when demolition happens parts or fragments of the

buildings are removed as whole. Here we can assume that the whole (entire
building) itself is constituted by a series of fragments that are whole in
themselves. This assumption leads us to consider that piecemeal fragments
are valid heritage items, thereby justifying their reuse. The Chettiars are
Shiva followers and one of the major postulates of Saivaite11 philosophy is
that:
“Something cannot come out of nothing or become nothing”
It means that the world is real and material and not an illusion. Hence, it
is safe to assume that the architectural legacy too is material and tangible. In
the current scenario where the legacy is right now being completely erased
and replaced a presence of even a piecemeal existence of the legacy will
ensure that the new buildings are tied to the context in character. Piecemeal
fragments from old buildings are representatives of the past that narrate the
same stories and echo the same sentiments. The fact that the salvaged
materials find their rightful places in new homes in a meaningful way
demonstrates that architecture is in fact an heirloom that can and is taken
forward. The dictionary meaning of the word “heirloom” is as follows:
Heirloom - A valuable object that has belonged to a family for several

generations (Little Oxford English Dictionary, 2006).
10
Aristotle was an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist.
11
Followers of Shiva.
17
Piecemeal or fragmented architecture can perform all three of the basic

requirements of conservation. The use of fragmented elements could facilitate
recycling; the use of salvaged material in an altered form would generate
renewal, and when the reconstruction activity across different towns employs
this philosophy throughout, regeneration can be achieved.
Architecture that can form, break and reform is definitely the type that can
be considered an heirloom. An heirloom endures time and preserves history,
only to be passed on to able hands that appreciate its intrinsic value and
nurtures it with passion and pride. An heirloom is meant to be a document of
our collective history to be read and reread in different times, each time
deriving a new meaning.
Methodology
The methodology can be broadly divided into two parts. The first part is
an investigation that helps establish the idea that this model of community
architecture is unique and has heritage value. The data collected, through
fieldwork, interviews and observations, are instrumental in establishing
links between evolution, adaptation, transformation, demolition and
reconstruction of the houses over a period of time. The secondary source,
which is the literature study, is instrumental in establishing the authenticity
of the information regarding social order, culture, economic capacity,
political influences, influences of styles and building technology that shaped
architectural model.
Part I
Interviews were conducted involving respondents belonging to

Chettinad who ranged from demolition contractors, site engineers on new
projects and owners of houses new and old to establish facts.
Figure 12. Deserted Streets
Source: Author.
18
Figure 13. Ghost Towns
Source: Author.
Figure 14. Rundown Houses
Source: Author.
Inferences from Part 1 of the Study
i. The first impressions of the towns in Chettinad are that they seem to
appear like ghost towns that once enjoyed glory and today lie vacant
and deserted (Figures 12, 13 and 14).
ii. The architectural style of the houses is an eclectic mix where the
exteriors of the house have South East Asian influences, Art deco,
Art Nouveau elements, while the interiors are traditional Chettiar style.
iii. There is a marked variation in terms of houses that are well maintained
and in immaculate condition and poorly maintained homes that are
severely derelict. The two primary reasons for this are legal conflicts
19
or economic insufficiency. Building maintenance is highly expensive

(Annapoorni, 2017).
iv. Most towns follow a grid iron plan and a number of plots can be
seen vacant where once houses must have stood.
v. On conducting interviews and visits to homes of people it was learnt
that life cycle practices and social order are intact till date. The
temple still holds the same importance for the clan members and
rules of the community are still adhered to (Annapoorni, 2017).
vi. Warehouses in towns like Karaikudi are stocked with copious amounts
of building materials. They are an indicator of the staggering number
of buildings that have already gone under the axe. It is estimated that
Chettinad has lost 19 % of its houses so far (UNESCO, 2014).
Part II
The second part of the methodology was to understand and study the
demolition process (Figure 15). A study to understand how elements are
derived and salvaged from buildings could be relevant, so as to provide an
insight into how reintegration of components can happen in new buildings.
The difference between classical Chettiar houses and new houses were
studied to understand variation due to factors like altered use, economics,
maintenance and sustainability and aspirations. This part of the study also
examines the lack of architectural value of the existing new construction and
how it impacts the context. A case study was conducted to demonstrate how
a template can be created that provides a pallet for the new builders to build
homes judiciously.
20
Figure 15. Stages of Dismantling (Ravindran, 2017)
Source: Author based on Information on Site (Ravindran, 2017).
Inferences from Part 2 of the Study
i. This part of the study was most crucial and forms the basis of the paper.
Houses that undergo demolition have a number of stakeholders
involved. The plot is subdivided between the owners as per their share
and each person builds as per their personal choice (Sathappan, 2017).
ii. The primary difference in old and new homes is the scale of the
houses. Nuclear families need smaller, more compact homes from a
maintenance and economic perspective (Sathappan, 2017).
21
iii. Courtyards, colonnades and exquisite materials constitute as some of

the most integral aspects of traditional Chettiar homes. These features
are now replicated only superficially and are disconnected from
function and social order.12
iv. There was a major shift in the attitudes and thinking patterns of modern
day house owners. The ideology of the past was that the house was
sacrosanct and its sanctity paramount. The new age owners are practical
and pragmatic in their approach towards the home. Comfort, ease of
use, modern conveniences and manageable scale are the parameters on
which the newer houses are constructed. (Natarajan, 2017).
v. Migrated fractions of the diasporas and their children have assimilated
with their new country of residence, yet systematic efforts are taken to
make them aware of their culture and their roots. Chettiar children
below the age of 21 are sent to organized retreats to be educated about
the clans to which they belong, marriage laws and rituals, and
specifically about their ties with their ancestral home. Hence the house
and temple is forever an integral part of any Chettiar community
members’ life (Meyyappan, 2017).
vi. The new house builders are apathetic to the traditional architectural
style. They prefer modern looking structures that are easy to maintain
and fast and economical to build. The people here want to emulate what
they see in larger Indian cities as examples of residential architecture
(Natarajan, 2017) (Figure 17).
vii. The most significant and alarming inference drawn in this part of the
study indicates that the new structures are uninspiring in character and
take away more than they contribute to the context. The buildings are
incongruous with each other, as well as with the context (Figure 18).
viii. Proactive steps taken towards conservation and restoration are seen
only in cases of hotels or home stays. These once palatial homes that
are now converted to hotels are commendable examples of adaptive
reuse. Visalam, Saratha Vilas and Chidambara Vilas were all converted
by private initiation (Meyyappan, 2017).
ix. It is important to establish an example as a demonstrative template
(Figure 19) in order to explain how the idea of piecemeal architecture,
heirloom and extended shelf life of a building is possible in practical
terms. Although there are a few interventions done by architects, to
preserve the context in Chettinad through meaningful architecture,
public resolve and demonstrable models, these are very few to
showcase as benchmarks.
12
Refer to Figure 16 with reference to inferences (i), (ii) and (iii).
22
Figure 16. Different kinds of Approaches in New Construction of Demolished

Homes13
Source: Author based on Plan from (Michell, 2015.)14
13
Plots of houses are about 7,500m². In the reconstruction activity the plot boundary is
maintained.
14
The plans in Figure 16 are only schematic to give a rough idea of the approaches in
reconstruction.
23
Figure 17. Nondescript New Buildings
Source: Author.
Figure 18. New Buildings do not Add Value to the Context
Source: Author.
24
Figure 19. Case Study of a Trans-located House
Source: (Rao, 2017).
Case Study: Meda, Sadhrana Village, India15
Owner: Architect George Oommen

Meda was a 300-year-old house built in the waterlogged plains of
Mepral River in Kerala. The condition of the house was such that the porous
whitewashed laterite stone blocks used in the foundation and lower floors of
the house made it susceptible to water logging. Over the years, the house
was sinking into the soft river ground. The upper storeys were crafted in
Anjili hardwood and were intact. Architect Pradeep Sachdeva from Delhi in
2008 conserved the house by dismantling the entire house and reassembling
it 1500 miles away from its original location in the exact same way as it
stood in its earlier location. The house was moved piece by piece to Delhi in
the North. Narayan Achari, one of the last Mepral carpenters skilled in building
traditional Kerala wood houses was hired by the architect to facilitate the
process of transporting the entire house. A small team of architects and
craftsmen dismantled, numbered and documented Meda’s individual
components. The entire house was then rebuilt in a similar fashion in its new
location. A new ground floor was created upon which the house sat exactly
the way it previously did. The joinery was simple, and hence the entire
operation was completed in six weeks. An existing wooden staircase was
15
Refer to Figure 19.
25
repurposed to be used as dining table and new elements like windows and
staircase were added keeping in line with the character and aesthetic of the
house (Rao, 2017).
The case study demonstrates how all the questions raised in the beginning
of this paper can be addressed in practical terms. Similar interventions can
work in the context of Chettinad homes and will bring more meaning and
value as they will be executed within the same context.
Conclusions
An underlying fact is that residential architecture is dependent on

ownership. Realistically speaking, it is about the free will of the user or
users to change or alter it any way they deem fit. Often users are
unappreciative of their legacy and lack of knowledge makes them disregard
their wealth. Any action plan implemented cannot work unless people’s
participation and willingness exists. A consensus needs to be taken in order
to ascertain what the people aspire towards, and then a plan needs to be put
in place to indicate the direction in which new development can take place.
Although reconstruction is an inevitable irreversible change, it can be
accepted with a spirit to add value and another dimension to the cultural
context such that architectural elements act as heirlooms that carry the story
forward.
It is evidently clear that reconstruction activity of the houses is the most
alarming and urgent problem as it does not add any value to the context but
definitely takes away from it. Yet its existence is the norm, and more houses
in the future will be pulled down to be reconstructed to suit the altered needs
of new owners. The direction in which this construction activity is happening
needs urgent intervention. There are very few templates available to
reinforce faith in the people to utilize salvaged materials in such a way so as
to create a new architectural identity that resonates with its past. Demolition
is a reality, and hence if piecemeal and fragmented presence of the old
architecture finds a valid place in new construction, the resultant middle
ground will be a viable solution that addresses history and allows the future
to take its rightful place.
There are essentially three aspects that need to be considered while
preparing a template for such contexts: what should be substituted, what
should be replicated, and what should be kept simplified.
Substitution: Merely substituting space for space, element for element,
or function for function dilutes the purpose of any sensitive transformation.
The planning of the Chettiar homes revolves around lifecycle events and
traditions. These are still practiced and pronounced. Hence, the ethos of
these events must be reflected in planning.
Replication: It is observed in several new structures that elements like
bilateral symmetry, courtyards, calling spaces with their traditional names
like Thinnai or Valavu are followed, but their results are sketchy. In order to
add to the context the new constructions must imbibe sublime qualities like
character, order, narrative and community sensibility, just as their earlier
26
forms. This will be possible through education and intervention by competent

authority.
Simplification: Most new owners shy away from creating meaningful
architecture because of lack of money, time, education and understanding of
what they stand to lose in terms of legacy. People need to be provided with
simple templates and demonstrative models to educate them about their
heritage and its value and how they can extend its shelf life. A range of
options can be provided from which they can customize their houses to their
budgets and sensibilities. Moreover, if it can be effectively shown in
numbers how the models will be sustainable and economic, people will have
fewer reservations agreeing to it.
Most importantly, if these heirlooms can be integrated in the new
building activity it would automatically mean refusing to build nondescript
buildings that take away more than they add to this glorious heritage. The
architecture here in whole or in part will manage to capture the past and
allow its passage into the future. The worth of this is beyond material
valuation and economics. It brings along with it a sense of timelessness,
purpose and function that is recreated each time with different interpretations.
Glossary of Terms
Antiques-Items like art, furniture and fittings of high value due to their age
and rarity.
Art Deco-Movement in decorative art and architecture originating in 1920.
Art Nouveau-An international style in art and architecture popular between
1890-1910.
Athangudi tiles-Locally manufactured sun baked cement tiles made in the
town of Athangudi.
Bhojan Salai-A hall used for the purpose of dining. This was either very large
catering to several people or a smaller version used on a daily basis.
Chettinad-An area of 76 villages in Tamil Nadu, near Madurai.
Chettiars-Trading community belonging to the southern state of Tamil Nadu
in India.
Ghost towns-Towns with very less population due to exodus of people to
other places.
Heirloom-A valuable object that has belonged to a family for generations.
Irandan Kattu-Part zone of the house which contains the dining area.
Kalyanakottai-A large hall used for conducting rituals and celebrations.
Maniyadi shastram-Tamil Architectural system for designing of houses.
Moonran Kattu-This is the area of the house occupied and used by women
and servants.
Mugappu-Outermost spaces in a Chettinad home.
Nara document-A document that addresses the need for a cultural diversity
and cultural heritage in relation to conservation to evaluate the value
and authenticity of cultural property more objectively.
Neo-Classical style-An architecture influenced by the neoclassical movement
in the mid eighteenth century.
27
Nadu Vaasal-A open to sky courtyard in which religious ceremonies are

held.
Ooranis-Manmade water bodies outside temples used for religious purposes.
Pattalai-This space is like an inner Thinnai which is used by members of the
family and guests are accommodated in the space above the Pattalai.
Piecemeal-Something that is utilized in pieces or fragments or extracted
from a larger entity.
Shelf life-The amount of time for which a commodity is useable or can
function effectively.
Thinnai-First public interaction space is in a typical Chettinad house.
Vaishya-People belonging to the merchant class.
Bibliography
Annapoorni. Interview by Asmita Patwardhan. Resident, Karaikudi [24 April

2017].
Gopal, Nalina. Encounters with the Public Archives & Collective Memory:
Researching Indian Communities in Singapore. Singapore, 8 August 2013.
Hans-Dieter Evers and Jayarani Pavadarayan,. “Religious Fervour and Economic
Success: The Chettiars of Singapore.” In Indian Communities in Southeast
Asia by A. Mani K. S. Sandhu, 2006. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies,
Singapore, 2006.
Little Oxford English Dictionary. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2006.
M. Natarajan, Karikudi, interview by Asmita Patwardhan. Civil Engineer [26 April
2017].
Meyyappan, Meenakshi. Interview by Asmita Patwardhan. Owner Bangla [24
April 2017].
Michell, George. Mansions of Chettinad. Meenakshi Meyyappan, GRAF, 2015.
Rao, Aparna. “Conservation by Translocation: Old Kerala House Reborn in
Gurugram.” www.tfod.in. 30 May 2017. http://bit.ly/2nlmCgL. [Accessed
January 17, 2017].
Ravindran, Gurunath. Interview by Asmita Patwardhan. Demolition Contractor [25
April 2017].
Sathappan. Interview by Asmita Patwardhan. Home Owner [26 April 2017].
UNESCO, Permanent Delegation of India to. “http://whc.unesco.org/en/tenta
tivelists/5920/.” http://en.unesco.org/. 2014.
Vr. Kannappan. “Temples, Figure 5.” www.mangalathar.com. http://www.manga
lathar.com/temples.html. [Accessed May 29, 2017].
28

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ATINER CONFERENCE PAPER SERIES No: LNG2014-1176

Athens Institute for Education and Research

ATINER's Conference Paper Series

Dr. Gregory T. Papanikos

This paper should be cited as follows:

Patwardhan, A. (2018). "Architecture: An Heirloom in the Context of

Athens Institute for Education and Research

Architecture: An Heirloom in the Context of Chettinad, India

Keywords: Fragmented, Heirloom, Piecemeal, Salvage, Shelf life.

Acknowledgments: Sincere thanks to Meenakshi Meyyappan, for sharing

Architecture is considered a static entity and an immovable asset in the

i. To identify the heritage value of these palatial homes, over a time

The scope of this paper includes the study of mansions constructed

inevitable and alarming because it is a larger, more immediate threat to the

History and Geography of the Region

Figure 1. Map of India

Source: Author (based on Google maps).

Figure 2. Chettinad Area

Source: Author (based on Google maps).

Chettinad is an area located in the Southeast region of India in the state

Figure 3. Palatial House in Kanadukathan

Figure 4. Typical House with Family Name Inscribed

Figure 5. Clan Temple

Source: (Kannappan, n.d.).

The houses of Chettinad are oriented along an East-West axis because

Evolution of the Houses and the Materials Employed through 1850-1950

The houses in Chettinad underwent a transformation from simple

Figure 6. Art Deco Facade

Figure 7. Stain Glass Panels

Figure 8. Parts of a Typical Chettiar House

Source: Author based on Plan from (Michell, 2015.)2

Columns were seen in a wide variety from highly ornate, polished

Figure 9. Spaces in a Chettiar House and the Variety of Materials Used

Source: Author based on Plan from (Michell, 2015).

Table 1. Showing the Range of Materials Employed across the Different

Figure 10. Ornate Doors, Frieze and Thresholds

Figure 11. Balconies

There is insufficient literary evidence that documents Chettiar houses

(UNESCO, 2014). According to this document, the area of Chettinad

are interlinked and interdependent. Even the construction technology and

If one looks at the Hindu religion, to which the Chettiar community

vasamsi jirnani yatha vihaya navani grhnati naro'parani tatha sarirani

If we can establish a relationship between the mortal body and its

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

In Chettinad when demolition happens parts or fragments of the

“Something cannot come out of nothing or become nothing”

Heirloom - A valuable object that has belonged to a family for several

Piecemeal or fragmented architecture can perform all three of the basic

Interviews were conducted involving respondents belonging to

Figure 12. Deserted Streets

Figure 13. Ghost Towns

Figure 14. Rundown Houses

Inferences from Part 1 of the Study

or economic insufficiency. Building maintenance is highly expensive

Figure 15. Stages of Dismantling (Ravindran, 2017)

Source: Author based on Information on Site (Ravindran, 2017).

Inferences from Part 2 of the Study

iii. Courtyards, colonnades and exquisite materials constitute as some of