The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : A heritage lifestyle beckons tourists

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 14, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

A heritage lifestyle beckons tourists

C. Jaishankar

Bid to promote attractions in Chettinad gaining momentum

A ROW OF BEAUTY: A view of a Chettinad heritage building at Kanadukathan in Sivaganga district. Photo: S. James

KARAIKUDI: "Enchanting Tamil Nadu-Experience Yourself." That is the new slogan of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department to promote untapped potential, particularly of Chettinad's heritage tourism. The promotion of the architecturally-unique buildings there may have started a little too late but it has gained momentum, with an increasing number of tourists coming every season. Come and experience this lifestyle — that's the invitation now.

The 25-sqkm at and around Karaikudi has nothing to offer for entertainment but it provides an immense treat in terms of lifestyle and a range of experiences. Chettinad's palatial buildings and nine famous temples are spread over 96 villages including Kanadukathan. All almost all houses in the villages stand out with their front elevation, beautifully-carved pillars, meticulously planned interiors and colourfully-painted buildings. Many of the tastefully designed houses are 75-150 years old.

The Chettinad palace at Kanadukathan, built in 1912, symbolises the exquisiteness of architectural marvels, woodwork and ancient lighting, besides the cultural ethos of the region. All homes have one to three `mittam', or the inner pillared courtyard. Italian glossy tiles have been used on walls and ceilings. Burma teak, granite pillars, stained glass, artistic grills and such exquisite materials used in the buildings speak volumes of the quality and lifestyle of its owners and the skilled workforce. In these houses are numerous windows and very high ceilings. There is one house at Karaikudi which boasts of 1,000 windows.

Most of these buildings remain intact. They have been well-maintained, with the antiques still shining in all their glory.

"Chettinad is really the richest heritage destination of South India, with a variety of homes. One cannot see such marvellous heritage buildings in a place that too in large numbers. It is a real treat to the eyes and a lifetime experience to foreign tourists," says Saktikanta Das, Tourism Secretary.

"Chettinad has everything to offer, except entertainment. It is close to Tiruchi, Madurai and Thanjavur, known for their historical background and which are well connected by rail and air. If some permanent arrangements are made for providing entertainment, it will soon be a great world tourist attraction," says Rakesh Mathur, president, WelcomHeritage.

Sensing the commercial potential, some leading hoteliers have come forward to convert the houses into heritage hotels. It is hard to convince the owners to sell or lease their houses. But some promoters have brought them round. The Raja palace, one of the most beautiful heritage houses of Chettinad, is now open to all. The tariff is around Rs. 4,000 a room a day.

The Sivaganga Collector, Anand Patil, said the promotion efforts have started showing results. Within one or two years, Chettinad would figure in the tourist itinerary of heritage lovers. The ongoing works to provide infrastructure would be completed by then.

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