Chettinad – Ethnic Elegance 2023

As you drive south from the swaying emerald rice paddies of Tiruchy and Thanjavur peppered with magnificent temples, the land becomes less lush and even arid in patches. Don’t let the apparent aridity fool you though. Karaikudi, the main town and the villages surrounding it are home to Chettiars, the most prosperous business community south of the Vindhyas. Known as Chettinad, the region is home to some of the most elegant and stately homes, entirely of ethnic architecture, built with the best Burma teak, paved with Delft tiles, and embellished with objets d’art from as far away as Venice and Sweden. Why not? The Chettiars, who started off as moneylenders, spread their wings all over southeast Asia in trade that included timber and gems and brought back goodies to decorate their homes. Chettinad homes have a unique character all their own and are feted for their unmatched elegance and aesthetics.