Indian Heritage Cities Network

2nd Biennal Conference-Hyderabad

Revive Chettinad Heritage Campaign

Concept of a Chettinad Heritage House
Key tool for shaping the future

Chettinad Heritage Region

Location and Geography

Location:
Southern part of Tamil Nadu State (South India), which capital is Chennai
(Madras), The main town of the region is Karaikkudi, which is 480 km from
Chennai. The region spread over two districts, Sivagangai and Pudukottai,
comprising two cities and 73 villages.
Capital of TN: Chennai 480 km
International airport: Tiruchirapalli, 90 km
National airport: Madurai, 90 km
Thanjavor (WHS UNESCO), 90 km
Main town: Karaikudi, Train Station
Epicentre: Kanadukathan, Historical Chettinad train station
Coordinates: 1010N, 7846E

Chettinad

Climate:
Located in a semi-arid plain of 1,550 square kilometers, the region receives
two monsoons:
The South West Monsoon, from July to mid September, 100ml;
The North East monsoon from October to December; 180 ml.
The region of Chettinad showcases some of the most interesting water
management systems and drainage pattern. A water management was
planned by the Chettiars to unable the control of flow of water which
depends only on the rain water resources.

Chettinad Heritage Region

Geography

Semi-arid landscape

Chettinad Heritage Region

Location

TRICHY,
90 km/ 2h

Pondicherry

TANJAVUR,
90 km/ 2h

Thiruchirapalli

Thanjavur

CHETTINAD
CHETTINAD
MADURAI,
90 km/ 2h

Madurai
Rameswaram

RAMESWARAM, 130 km/3h

Chettinad Heritage Region

A History

The Chettinadu means country of the Chettiars. The Chettiars belong to a lineage of wealthy traders and
financiers who made their fortunes by extending their business to the whole of Southeast Asia, particularly
during the 19th century, when they were at the peak of their economic power.
The golden age of the community was from 1850 to 1930 after the opening of the Suez Canal when they
established a financial empire in Burma, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
The world financial depression: Their recent history is closely linked to the sweeping geopolitical changes that
took place in the middle of the 20th century in this vast region. These changes made the Region and its very
unique heritage forgotten for the last decades.

Chettinad Heritage Region

Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Urban Planning on grid

Devakottai

Athangudi

Kothamangalam

Kanadukathan

Pallathur

The 73 villages and the two towns of the region have been planned following the same urban grid pattern. This
urban organization is the reflect of the traditional rules of the space. The main streets are oriented South/ North,
second streets are oriented East/West; Rectangular plots with a particular proportion of 1 by 4 such as 30 meters
length by 120 meters long.

Chettinad Heritage Region

Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : The huge palatial mansions

Reception hall, Karaikkudu

Rajas Palace, Kanadukathan

Chettinad Heritage Region

Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : The territory and the Clan Temples

The Chettinad is a geo-cultural territory which is

organized around the 9 clan temples. Each
member of the Chettiar community belongs to
a clan, each clan has its temple run by the
group.

Neman temple

Location of the 9 clan temples

Chettinad Heritage Region

Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Ayyanar Temple

Ayyanar is a preAryan protecting

Deity which is very
popular in Tamil
Nadu, particularly in
Chettinad. The
shrines are located
at the entrance of
the villages in order
to ensure their
protection. Every
year for the Tamil
new year, terracotta
horses, cows or
elephants are
offered to Ayyanar
for thanking for his
protection.
Terracotta figures in Ayyanar shrine at Kotadi and Kothamangalam Sivagangai district

Chettinad Heritage Region

Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad: The ooranis

As Chettinad is located in a semi-arid plain, the chettiars have elaborated a sophisticated
water management system with a huge network for collecting the rain water. The Oorani is
a Tamil word for surface water storage tank located in the villages and towns.
In Chettinad, each village comprise a minimum of three water bodies accordingly to the
needs of storage for drinking and bathing uses of the villagers.

Chettinad Heritage Region

Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad: The Erys

Part of this water management system, the Erys are traditional surface water storage lakes
organized in a huge network necessary for sustainable in agriculture.
They have played, through the ages, a very important role in irrigation and in eco-system in
low-rainfall agricultural areas, such as Chettinad.

Ery near Kanadukathan

Below the ery rice fields near Kanadukathan

Chettinad Heritage Region

Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Chettinad Train Station

A well planned
area : The
Chettinad train
station is the
historic gateway to
the region. It is part
of a well planned
area which
connect the core
of Kanadukathan,
(with its Rajas
palace), to the
Shivan Temple, the
Rajas Island, the
cotton mills and
the train station.
The plazza in Chettinad train station

Old Chettinad train station

Chettinad Heritage Region

Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : The Art Deco Heritage

The Chettinad region

comprise a great
number of surprising
Art Deco style
houses. Generally built
in the 40/50s, the
buildings are
showcasing elements
of architecture with
different influences
taken from Eastern Asia
to Western side. Many
villages offer examples
of this typical late style.
Karaikkudi is comprising
entire Art-Deco areas,
such as the Thousand
Windows House which
could be proposed for
heritage walks.

Elevation of twin house in Kanadukathan

Art Deco house in Karaikkudi

Chettinad Heritage Region

Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Living heritage : The skills

Chariot makers

Kottan

Metal work

Wood work

Jewelry

Athangudi tiles

Weaving

Chettinad Heritage Region

Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Intangible Heritage

The Traditions and the Living Arts

Wedding function

Art of Kolam

Chettinad cuisine

Barathanattyam

Village festival

Chettinad Heritage Region

Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Natural Heritage

Bird Watching and Sacred Woods

Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary

Vettangudi Ayyanar shrine : Testimony of sacdred wood

Chettinad Heritage Region

Ambience in Karaikudi
Karaikudi is the
economic center
of Chettinad. Even
the economic
pressures and land
speculation, one
can see different
Chettiar areas
over the town
which show the
variety of the
house and their
style.
Chettinad is one
of the only
remaining site
which bears
testimony to Tamil
architecture and
urban planning .

Bazar and Chandy market

Chettinad Heritage Region

Ambience in Kanadukathan
Kanadukathan is
the epicenter of
the current
tourism trail in
Chettinad. It is the
village where is
located the
Rajas palace
and two of the
mansions
converted into
heritage hotels.
The visitors can
appreciate its
peaceful
ambience in a
semi urban
context: large
South/North
streets , Italian
architectural
style.

Chettinad Heritage Region

Ambience in Pallathur
Pallathur is a
important
Chettiar village (5
000 inhabitants)
located near
Kanadukathan.
Its regular and
dense
North/South grid
urban pattern is
the result of the
management of
the community
at the time of its
economic peak.
The abundance
of the decorative
elements on the
facades shows
the opulence of
the community.

Chettinad Heritage Region

Ambience in Kottaiyur
Kottaiyur is one of
the largest village
of the region (10
000 inhabitants)
located 6 km from
the main town
Karaikkudi. The
quick
development of
the economic
center of the
region has linked
both the borders.
Kottaiyur suffers
from the
economic
pressure of its
neighbor. Huge
mansions still
remain over the
village despite
that pressure.

Chettinad Heritage Region

Ambience in Rayavaram
Rayavaram is a
large village (5
000 inhabitants)
situated in the
District of
Pudukottai .
Located 6 km
from
Kothamangalam,
it is also well
connected to
Thirumayam Fort
or Kadiyapatti.
Rayavaram is a
large showcase of
Chettinad homes
which cover two
centuries of
architecture in
four distinct zones
around Shivan
Temple.
52

Chettinad Heritage Region

Ambience in Kadiyapatti

Kadiyapatti is situated in the District of Pudukottai . Located 4 km from Rayavaram and 5

km from Kothamangalam, is well connected to Thirumayam Fort. Kadiyapatti has very
unique large mansions embellished with magnificent architectural elements such as
towers, cornices and parapets.

54

Challenges to Conservation and Development

Growth without Planning and stakeholder Partnerships
Bad future : A lucrative business of antiques
It is not only time that threatens these beautiful houses, but also the lucrative business
around the export of columns, windows, ceilings and decorative elements. Houses and
entire villages are rapidly vanishing, packed into containers headed for Western countries.

Challenges to Conservation and Development

Growth without Planning and stakeholder Partnerships
Massive desertion, demolition, lack of maintenance:
The marvelous heritage left by past generations has progressively been eroded. This map
historic core of Kanadukathan is showing in red that a large number of the mansions have
yet disappeared.

Diagram of estimate demolished houses in the village of kanadukathan

Challenges to Conservation and Development

Growth without Planning and stakeholder Partnerships
Lack of protection and regulations in a large territory
Development without
protection plan and
regulations will entail
the loss of the
Chettinad heritage.
A specific master
plan will be necessary
to define the
possibilities of
heritage based
development:
Definition of heritage
zone; Height of the
buildings; Alignments,
Type of windows;
Materials; Colors.
Public facilities have
also to be
considered.

Opportunities to Conservation & Development

A Central Location in South Tamil Nadu
The new railway lane from Chennai to Rameswaram with a stop in Chettinad
The Improvement of the major roads
Well connected by air with two airport 90 Km from the region
Well preserved region
Potential for reuse of palatial homes
A large geo-cultural territory with strong identity
Inclusion into the 2008 Watch List of the World Monuments Fund
Inclusion into UNESCO Heritage Passport Programme
Commitment of Tamil Nadu Government and district collectors
International cooperation programme such as Region Centre
(regional Gvt of France)/Tamil Nadu State Gvt

Looking to the Future

Revive Chettinad Development Project : Action Plan

Action Plan
Improvement of Public Facilities :

Improvement of inter city connection

Improvement of public spaces in respect of heritage value
Treatment Solid waste
Water management, inclusive traditional water system
Improvement of Sanitation
Renewable energies such as production of solar energy, windmill, biomass

Creation of the Heritage House and the Heritage Centre :

Creation of a centre for awareness and advice for the local authorities and the
inhabitants
Information centre for the visitors

Development of a Heritage-based Itinerary :

Development of a Regional Identity Brand

Implementation of different heritage trails around the region
Training guides

Looking to the Future

Revive Chettinad Development Project : Action Plan

Creation of a Master Plan, inclusive local Protection and Development Plan

Regional level
Local and village level
Restoration and Adaptive Re-use

Development of a Cultural Tourism

Development of different form of accommodations for tourists

Creation of tourism facilities such as restaurants, coffee shops and souvenir shops
Development of cultural activities such as an interpretation Center and an Ecomuseum
Highlight the Chettinad gourmet cuisine
Highlight living heritage

Revive and Development of the Chettinad Handicraft

Encouraging initiative for local knowhow by micro credit

Promoting local handicraft
Creation of a Centre for Training and Production of Handicrafts and Applied Arts
Creation of a Centre for International Exchange

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Action Plan
The proposed "Revive Chettinad Development Project" will be executed in two
phases:

First phase will focus on different axes

A plan for the protection of the area

The creation of the Chettinad Heritage House in a restored heritage heritage
building;
The creation of a Heritage Centre in the Heritage House;
The creation of an Interpretation Centre in the old Chettinad train station;
Drawing up conservation and enhancement plan at regional and local level :
adaptive Master Plan
Second phase will develop a larger programme
The creation of an Ecomuseum
The cretion of a Centre for Training and Production of Handicrafts and Applied
Arts
The creation of a Centre for International Exchange
Adaptive Cultural Tourism

Revive Chettinad Development Project

The Key tool : The Chettinad Heritage House

The Chettinad Heritage House :

Definition
How
Programme
Activiities
Current situation

Revive Chettinad Development Project

The Key tool : The Chettinad Heritage House
What is a Heritage House
A heritage building :
A Heritage House is usually set up in a public
heritage building located in the core heritage
area. It is a building which needs to be restored
by adaptive skills following the report of a
conservation architect. The restoration work
serves as pilot and training project for heritage
basis.
A team of experts :
A Heritage House is staffed by trained architects
and urban planners, supported by jurists,
mediators or other fields when required and
international experts. The work and studies of
the team has to be undertaken along with the
local authorities, such as the district collectors
and village or town pachayats.

Revive Chettinad Development Project

The Key tool : The Chettinad Heritage House

The setting up of a Heritage House has to be based an institutional, a political

and a legal support :
Institutional support

Multi-bi-lateral partnership agreement such as :

State Government /UNESCO
State Government /International institutions
UNESCO / International institutions
UNESCO /NGO

Political support

National level : GoI

State level : GoTN
Local level : District collectors

Legal support

Government or local level ownership

Local NGO for running up the activities

Revive Chettinad Development Project

The Programme of the Chettinad Heritage House
The Programme of the Chettinad Heritage House
Exhibition rooms;
Office of the heritage team;
Visitors services;
Interpretation center;
Pedagogical workshops;
Handicraft demonstration and workshop;
Heritage workshop;
Resource center;

Children School

Office
Heritage
Workshop

Exhibition

Pedagogical
Workshop

rooms

Visitors services

School in the old Alagappa Chettiar house in Kottaiyur proposed to be converted into the Chettinad Heritage House

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Activities of the Chettinad Heritage House
The activities amongst others of the Chettinad Heritage House
Provision of technical and legal advice to the local population for the conservation;
Technical and legal advice to the local population the re-adaptive use of traditional buildings;
Awareness and technical assistance to the local authorities on heritage issues;
Permanent watch;
Survey and inventory of heritage buildings and structures;
Drawing up of conservation plan for historical structures;
Preparation of a regional and local heritage management plan;
Exhibitions and information centre to the visitors;
Participation to local heritage committees;
Development of a heritage-based itinerary;
Bring heritage skills and capacity building to local stake holders;
Create a basis of knowledge;
Organization of seminars;
Manage and coordinate university partnerships on site;
Publish studies and researches.

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : The Heritage Center
The Heritage House will also house the Heritage Centre which will receive national and

international visitors :
Many services (utilities, coffeeshop, handicraft shop, book shop, etc.)

Practical and cultural information (site plan, conferences, shows, demonstrations of skills,
workshops for adults and children, etc.)
Temporary exhibitions for two or three years (handicrafts, history, customs and way of life,
natural and building heritage)
Conception of medium term projects (eco-museum, centre for training and production of
handicrafts and applied art, centre for international exchanges).

Example of exhibits : Baskets, kottans, various containers, vessel at Rm. Rm. Foundation in Kanadukathan

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : The Interpretation Center
Creation of an Interpretation Center

In connection with the Chettinad Heritage House, an interpretation and information center
to visitors will be housed in the old Chettinad train station, Gateway of the region.
sensitizing,
interpreting
giving practical information.
Panels produced by university partnerships and the team of the Heritage House will be
displayed in the old restored building in collaboration with international experts, ArcHe-S and
UNESCO .

Proposed heritage-based itinerary

Heritage building at the Chettinad train station to be

converted into Interpretation Center

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : The Interpretation Center

The Space and the Function

The Space and the Function

Palatial Homes

Climatic Architecture

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Heritage-based intinerary
Development of a Heritage-based Itinerary:

Architectural and urban Trail :

Implementation of heritage walks in core area such as Karaikkudi,
Kottaiyur, Pallathur, Kanadukathan, Kothamangam, Ryavaram,
Kadiyapatti.
Country Planning Trail.
Area around the Chettinad Train Station restored
Temple trail:
Clan temples ; Village temples ; Ayyanar temples .
Art Deco Trail:
Walk around the important 20/40s area of Karaikkudi and other
villages
Handicraft Trail;
Wood work and chariot marker and Handloom weavers in
Karaikkudi, Athangudi tiles, Kotans in Pilayarpatti.
Nature trail:
Bird watching and walking through traditional water system (erys).
Sea shore trail:
Fisherman port of Mimisal, Avudaiyarkovil temple, the village potters
who are making every years these beautiful horse, cows or elephant
figures offered to the local deity of Ayyanar .
Cuisine training:
Chettinad cuisine experience.

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Drawing up protection et conservation plan
Identification of the local planning area and preparation of regional master
plan:
Collection of data

Gathering of historical knowledge

Collecting all the necessary documentation for carrying out the survey: cartography,
surveys undertaken by or for the Government departments
Seeking the help of Government institutions and departments that are likely to have the
pertinent knowledge or information

Identification, analysis and diagnosis of the heritage

Survey of the territory for identifying the heritage elements and understanding the evolution
of the places
Delimitating the historical core zone
Inventory sheets
Studying architectural evolution and specific details
Examining shape, scale, Interaction between buildings.
The studies will be undertaken by an architect specialized in heritage conservation, a team
of architects and urban planners.

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Drawing up protection et conservation plan
Inventory sheets

Studying architectural
evolution

Understanding the
Architectural organisation
within each plot.

Example of inventory sheets and architectural studies of the city of Chartres (France) before proposal for conservation plan

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Drawing up protection et conservation plan

Proposal for future orientations

Analysis and a diagnosis concerning the heritage by adopting a planning approach

Proposals for orientations which will be presented to local bodies and inhabitants defining
the limits of the sector to be preserved in the Chettinad territory;
Overview of the rules for heritage zones;
These proposals will take into account all development plans for the entire sector.

EXAMPLE OF A SECTOR PROTECTION PLAN FOR

THE CITY OF CHINON (REGION CENTRE,
FRANCE) showing :
Historic momuments;
Monuments;
Heritage buildings to be protected;
Buildings to be restored:
Buildings of no heritage value;
Buildings to be demolished;
Natural zone to be protected.

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : University partnership
University partnership
University partnerships will be importany for initiating and developing heritage skills and
awareness and capacity building in Tamil Nadu.
The Heritage House will coordinate university workshop and different programme in the fields
of :
Heritage and conservation;
Urban planning;
Water ressources;
Environmental studies, such as sustainable energies;
Nature and forest management;
Tourism development;
Branding the Chettinad identity;
Local governance and capacity building.

Documents realized by the students in architecture of Anna University Chennai during the Chettinad
Heritage Studio Jan. 2008, SAP Anna/Ecole de Chaillot

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : University partnership

2007 and 2008 Chettinad Heritage Studios, programmes within

the framework of international exchange between Anna
University (Chennai) and School of Chaillot (Paris), with the
collaboration of UNESCO and the NGO ArcHe-S

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : promote cultural tourism and economic revival
Cultural Tourism:
Creation of a coordination committee of heritage hotels in the region;
Promoting micro-projects such as Bed & Breakfast along with an organized network;
Creating or promoting a network of private houses to be visited along with the community;
Training guides;
Organization of cultural events :

Dance and music festivals

Village festivals
Exhibition of handicraft and art

Researches for economical revival :

Tourism alternatives;
Outsourcing activities;
Sport activities;
Centers of excellence :

Heritage skills
Applied arts
Art and design
Cosmetic
Traditional medecine such as ayurveda

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Cultural Tourism

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : The Current situation
Phase of finalizing partnership agreement between GoTN and UNESCO;
Approved decentralized cooperation programme supported by Region
Centre France and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with
UNESCO, the city of Aix-en-Provence, the Ministry of the Culture France, the NGO
ArcHe-S, the urban agency ADUC and the Revive Chettinad Society;
Cultural cooperation agreement on process between GoTN and Region
Center France;

Commitment of local authorities for the creation of the Chettinad

Heritage House and the proposed Old Alagappa House in Kottaiyur;
Transfer of ownership of this house from local level to state level, Department
of Tourism;

Missions of expertise of ArcHe-S for District Collector Sivagangai on

improvement of public space and the restoration of the Alagappa oorani in

Kanadukathan;, recommendation reports

Cooperation programme between Anna University, Dept of Archtecture

Chennai, and postgraduate School of conservation, Ecole de Chaillot, Paris.

Inclusion of Chettinad into the 2008 Watch List of the World Monuments Fund, USA;
Inclusion into the UNESCO Heritage Passport Programme.

The Revive Chettinad Heritage Campaign is a

heritage based-development program launched in
May 2007 by UNESCO New Delhi in collaboration
with ArcHe-S with the endorsement of the
Tamil Nadu Government

Thank you for your attention

Supported by UNESCO
Website: www.unesco.org/newdelhi