A Homage to the Land of Heritage

Colorful vibes, Amazing aura and Flourishing Families - That was what the neighborhood was literally filled with. It was life - the conventional Indian type family fraterneties that are bound by generational ethics and highly valued traditions. I can guarantee everyday was a kaleidoscopic vibrant splashy day that my forefathers and their wide winged families of cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters and kids shared in their very own township or probably a village in today's standards - Aaravayal. The community of chettiars that have flourished over time in agriculture and trade are the proud descenders of the Chola kingdom and my very own forefathers - Karaikudi being the capital of this Chettinad kingdom. Chettinad officially being the homeland of the nattukottai chettiars. That is the very birth place of the traditional chettinad cuisine - the spice filled delicacies and motherland to full meals of sambar, kaara kuzhambu, kuzhi paniyaram, paal paniyaram, different varieties of non-veg cook books.

Ideally being an Indian embelishment it definitely has a huge collection of the cultural heritage, marble and burma teak built houses with their own legendary architectural brilliance. Wide courtyards, high raised ceilings, Ravi varma wall hangings, sculpture decorated pillars and spacious rooms. It has these 'thinnai's that is encovered by family rooms on the sides. There will be around 10 pillars which enclose a mini open courtyard where sunlight falls in and it is awesome to move amongst the pillars hugging them with your arms open :). The heavy huge doors are made with extraordinary wood with intricate carvings of our Indian gods. The typical architecture structure of a Chettiar house is a study in how a human dwelling can be constructed in harmony with nature. It is also an ideal way of living as the interiors of the houses are so cool during the hot and humid Indian summers and last a lifetime! Not to forget the lavish taste of the well off chettiar families in arts & crafts that occupy a distinct position in the south Indian folklore. The woven saris, daily use of exclusive made designer ornaments in gold and silver, wood carving, silver embelishment and the wide ranging repertoire of Chettiar weddings which are probably larger than life :D..

Last but not least, the prosperous banking and money lending business in the community - a very commercial life you see. This is what stretched the reach of the chettiars to foreign lands today research papers being published on this amazing survival instincts that the Nagarathar chettiars had. A tank of temples, the rare charm and a must visit destination - definitely a tourists paradise with a difference, and one which cannot be missed by the discerning tourist.