In every Chettiar household sits a pettagam, a large, traditional wooden chest or strongbox that stores the family’s valuables. More importantly though, it holds the jewellery passed down through several generations. These wooden chests come with complex lock combinations and, in some households, have remained unopened for years, as newer generations are yet to find … Read more
‘In reality, vacations are anything but unoccupied.’ | Photo Credit: Illustrated by Allen Shaw My sister has been invited to a destination wedding in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The programme seemed eminently bucketlist-worthy. The hosts had planned excursions to see the famous waterfalls and go on safaris. Then much to her dismay, my sister realised … Read more
Chettinad is a fever dream. On its sun-baked arid landscape, punctuated by cacti and laced with palm trees, majestic century-old mansions rise like castles in a children’s tale. Set in quiet villages, and springing up on narrow dusty roads, these ornate structures shimmer like mirages in the unrelenting heat. Their cavernous rooms, divided by pleasingly … Read more
Walk through Chettinad’s bustling lanes, and you will be welcomed by heritage mansions featuring intricate handiwork, ponds with lotus blooms, and ancient temples with ornate facades. The region once helmed by the Nattukottai Chettiars, was known for its opulence in every realm: architecture, culinary heritage, art and craft, and more. While only 11,000 mansions remain … Read more
Vellapaniyaram with dangar chutney, kavuniarisi halwa, paal kozhukattai and so much more awaits you at the ‘Karaikudi Sandhai’ organised by the Karaikudi Nagarathar Sangam Chennai (KNSC, 2015), which has over 300 members currently. Among their various other activities, the collective focuses on inculcating an entrepreneurial spirit in women from the community living in Chennai. Visalakshshi … Read more