CHETTINAD HOUSES The Chettinad houses were originally single-storeyed

buildings made of sundried brick of mud and bamboo and thatch.

They evolved to become tile-roofed with a small two-storeyed tower at both ends of the front elevation.

They later expanded vertically into two-storeyedstructures, and horizontally through the addition of numerous halls and courtyards that could accommodate guests at marriages and other ceremonies.

It was not unusual for three generations to live together in one house. The Chettinad houses accommodate up to four generations before separate houses are built by individual sons .

The houses are built on a rectangular, traversal plot that stretches across two streets, with the front door opening into the first street and the back into the second.

Looking in from the main threshold, your eye travels in a straight line across a series of inner courtyards, each a diminishing rectangle of light, leading out to the back door .

The courtyards supply ample light and air (pickles and papads were dried there) but leave the rest of the house in deep and cool shadow.

Veranda. First courtyard columns.

Tinnai corridor Puja room and storageof dowry items.

"conjugal" room second courtyard

kitchen.Veranda.

accountance room

Raised platform

Kitchen

First comes an outer thinai - Large raised platforms on either side of the central corridor, where the host would entertain male guests.

The platforms lead off on one side into store rooms and massive granaries and on the other, into the ( Kanakupillai ) or Accountant's room.Thisarea also usually leads off to the men's well.

FROM HERE, THE HUGE ELABORATELY CARVED TEAK FRONT DOOR, WITH IMAGE OF LAKSHMI CARVED OVER THE HEAD AND NAVARATNAOR NINE PRECIOUS GEMS BURIED UNDER THE ( VASAPADI) THRESHOLD.

THE DOOR LEADS INTO THE FIRST OPEN AIRCOURTYARD, WITH PILLARED CORRIDORS RUNNINGON EACH SIDE THAT LEAD INTO INDIVIDUALROOMS, EACH MEANT FOR A MARRIED SON, EACHWITH A TRIANGULAR SLOT CUT INTO THE WALLFOR THE EVENING LAMP.

C O U R T Y A R D

Then comes the second counrtyard with large dining spaces on either side.

The third courtyard was for the women folk to rest and gossip, while the fourth, or nalankattaicomprised the kitchens, leading out to the backyard with its women's well and grinding stones.

No house comes with less than two vast kitchens, not to mention several giant grinding stones and rows of fireplaces in the last courtyard – all meant to entertain gigantic gatherings.

Each of the small rooms off the main courtyard is the property of one married son in the patriarchal lineage of the ancestral builder of the home.

ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOPMENT OFMANSION HOUSES 1800-1840 A.D During this period there were small rural houses. They

directly lie on the street edge. Main enterance opens into a small corridor, which gives access to a raised platform, which then leads an open-air inner first courtyard. The houses have two courtyards with a backyard. Spanning was similar to thatched roof. Walls were of Baked bricks and mud. Roof was of Timber rafters and country tiles.

1840-1860 A.D They were double or single storied . The houses were now set

back slightly with an intermediate space and surrounding wall. A raised gallery was built against the main façade. Front façade wall had windows. The Water from roof was collected on vessels and inner courtyards linked by underground canalization to temple tanks. Walls were of Baked bricks and lime. Roof was of Timber rafters and country tiles. The flooring for upper loft area was of wood topped with layers of leaves and sticks packed with cow dung and then a layer of sand and cow dung.

1860-1900 A.D The houses enlarged horizontally. They become

double storied with alteration in height. The house was now set back with an intermediate Courtyard and elaborate surrounding wall. There was a Raised gallery/Thinai built against the main façade and enhanced with a monumental porch and alcove above. The Central Loggia hall/Kalyana Kottagai was decorated heavily. Ceilings decorated with tiles and painted medallions.

1900-1940 A.D. The houses were now set back with an intermediate

Courtyard and elaborate surrounding wall. The central loggia ceilings were decorated with tiles and painted medallions. The Adithalam is raised to include another floor, which accommodates horses and cars. Heavily gods and British Dignitaries were used as ornamentation figures. Teak from Burma and Ceylon was majority used for roofing and columns, which was heavily carved.

Since 1940 A.D During this period the houses emerged as villas

or bungalows. The building is located in centre with large open spaces surrounding it. Highly decorated with classical order columns. Main entrance was marked with a portico the houses had the number of courtyards reduced to two courtyards of smaller size for one family. The ornamentation was of Anglo Indian influences.s

House of earlier vintage,with open space in front.

The late 19th century pattern of raising an elaborate first floor just above the main reception area.

MORE MANSION OF CHETTINAD OF LATE19TH,EARLY 20TH CENTURY.

HOME BUILT FROM SECOND QUARTER OF 20TH

CENTURY BEGAIN TO DRAW MORE HEAVILYFROM WESTERN STYLES.

ONE OF CHETTINAD HOUSE SHOWING THERICHNESS WHICH IT HAD WITH HIGHER PLINTH