About UsThe most important aspect of any discussion on Chettinad handicrafts must appreciate that the need for procurement, and use of assortment of artifacts is intertwined with Nagarathars’ connection with Trade, Travel, Temples, Tradition and Taste. ‘Chettinad’ perched on southern part of Tamilnad, has been known as a land of culture. Some of the traditional art and craft; silverwares, gold jewellery; and cotton ‘saree’, are known to a select few. Even though temples and heritage buildings occupy an important place in the itinerary of the tourists, what is little known and equally important are the bewildering array of art and craft forms which are seen / used even today in temples, mansions and in the houses of common men among Nagarathars– the mercantile community that had the reputation of establishing and running their business ventures from Calcutta in India to Saigon in Vietnam during 19th and 20th century. Chettinad areas – initially comprised clusters of 96 villages in unified Ramnad - Sivaganga district and Pudukottai Samasthanam – have gradually shrunk to 75 villages, spreading across two districts, viz. Sivaganga district and partly in Pudukottai district,due to emigration of Nagarathars to other places within and outside India. The existence of many craft pockets and the thriving craft tradition within the Chettinad area in Sivaganga District stands testimony to the patronage extended by the Nagarthars to art and crafts in the past. Some of the craft clusters that continue to churn out artistic as also utilities, in Chettinad villages, are Ariyakudi (brass , bronze and white metal), Athangudi (hand - made floor tiles), Karaikudi (wood), Senjai (Chettinad cotton) and other mediums used are - stone (many villages) silver and gold (Karaikudi, Kandanur, Devakottai and many other villages). The credit for the burgeoning settlement of sculptors and stone workers in Eluvankottai near Devakottai, a couple of centuries ago, also goes to Nagarathars. |
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