Revive Chettinad Heritage Campaign Concept of a Chettinad Heritage House

Key tool for shaping the future

Indian Heritage Cities Network2nd Biennal Conference-Hyderabad

Chettinad Heritage RegionLocation and Geography

Location:Southern part of Tamil Nadu State (South India), which capital is Chennai(Madras), The main town of the region is Karaikkudi, which is 480 km fromChennai. The region spread over two districts, Sivagangai and Pudukottai,comprising two cities and 73 villages.

Capital of TN: Chennai 480 kmInternational airport: Tiruchirapalli, 90 kmNational airport: Madurai, 90 kmThanjavor (WHS UNESCO), 90 kmMain town: Karaikudi, Train StationEpicentre: Kanadukathan, Historical Chettinad train stationCoordinates: 1010N, 7846E

Climate:Located in a semi-arid plain of 1,550 square kilometers, the region receivestwo monsoons:The South West Monsoon, from July to mid September, 100ml;The North East monsoon from October to December; 180 ml.

The region of Chettinad showcases some of the most interesting watermanagement systems and drainage pattern. A water management wasplanned by the Chettiars to unable the control of flow of water whichdepends only on the rain water resources.

Chettinad

Chettinad Heritage RegionGeography

Semi-arid landscape

CHETTINAD

ThanjavurThiruchirapalli

Rameswaram

Pondicherry

Madurai

CHETTINAD

TANJAVUR, 90 km/ 2h

TRICHY, 90 km/ 2h

MADURAI, 90 km/ 2h

RAMESWARAM, 130 km/3h

Chettinad Heritage RegionLocation

The Chettinadu means country of the Chettiars. The Chettiars belong to a lineage of wealthy traders andfinanciers who made their fortunes by extending their business to the whole of Southeast Asia, particularlyduring the 19th century, when they were at the peak of their economic power.

The golden age of the community was from 1850 to 1930 after the opening of the Suez Canal when theyestablished a financial empire in Burma, Sri Lanka and Singapore.

The world financial depression: Their recent history is closely linked to the sweeping geopolitical changes thattook place in the middle of the 20th century in this vast region. These changes made the Region and its veryunique heritage forgotten for the last decades.

Chettinad Heritage RegionA History

The 73 villages and the two towns of the region have been planned following the same urban grid pattern. Thisurban organization is the reflect of the traditional rules of the space. The main streets are oriented South/ North,second streets are oriented East/West; Rectangular plots with a particular proportion of 1 by 4 such as 30 meterslength by 120 meters long.

Kanadukathan PallathurAthangudi

Devakottai Kothamangalam

Chettinad Heritage RegionUnique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Urban Planning on grid

Chettinad Heritage RegionUnique Heritage elements of Chettinad : The huge palatial mansions

Reception hall, Karaikkudu

Rajas Palace, Kanadukathan

The Chettinad is a geo-cultural territory which isorganized around the 9 clan temples. Eachmember of the Chettiar community belongs toa clan, each clan has its temple run by thegroup.

Chettinad Heritage RegionUnique Heritage elements of Chettinad : The territory and the Clan Temples

Neman temple Location of the 9 clan temples

Chettinad Heritage RegionUnique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Ayyanar Temple

Terracotta figures in Ayyanar shrine at Kotadi and Kothamangalam Sivagangai district

Ayyanar is a pre-Aryan protecting Deity which is very popular in Tamil Nadu, particularly in Chettinad. The shrines are located at the entrance of the villages in order to ensure their protection. Every year for the Tamil new year, terracotta horses, cows or elephants are offered to Ayyanar for thanking for his protection.

Chettinad Heritage RegionUnique Heritage elements of Chettinad: The ooranis

As Chettinad is located in a semi-arid plain, the chettiars have elaborated a sophisticatedwater management system with a huge network for collecting the rain water. The Oorani isa Tamil word for surface water storage tank located in the villages and towns.

In Chettinad, each village comprise a minimum of three water bodies accordingly to theneeds of storage for drinking and bathing uses of the villagers.

Part of this water management system, the Erys are traditional surface water storage lakesorganized in a huge network necessary for sustainable in agriculture.

They have played, through the ages, a very important role in irrigation and in eco-system inlow-rainfall agricultural areas, such as Chettinad.

Ery near Kanadukathan Below the ery rice fields near Kanadukathan

Chettinad Heritage RegionUnique Heritage elements of Chettinad: The Erys

Chettinad Heritage RegionUnique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Chettinad Train Station

The plazza in Chettinad train station Old Chettinad train station

A well planned area : The Chettinad train station is the historic gateway to the region. It is part of a well planned area which connect the core of Kanadukathan, (with its Rajas palace), to the Shivan Temple, the Rajas Island, the cotton mills and the train station.

Chettinad Heritage RegionUnique Heritage elements of Chettinad : The Art Deco Heritage

The Chettinad region comprise a great number of surprising Art Deco style houses. Generally built in the 40/50s, the buildings are showcasing elements of architecture with different influences taken from Eastern Asia to Western side. Many villages offer examples of this typical late style. Karaikkudi is comprising entire Art-Deco areas, such as the Thousand Windows House which could be proposed for heritage walks.

Elevation of twin house in Kanadukathan

Art Deco house in Karaikkudi

Chettinad Heritage RegionUnique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Living heritage : The skills

Chariot makers Metal work Wood work Athangudi tiles

Jewelry WeavingKottan

The Traditions and the Living Arts

Wedding functionArt of Kolam

Chettinad cuisine Barathanattyam Village festival

Chettinad Heritage RegionUnique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Intangible Heritage

Chettinad Heritage RegionUnique Heritage elements of Chettinad : Natural Heritage

Bird Watching and Sacred Woods

Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary Vettangudi Ayyanar shrine : Testimony of sacdred wood

Chettinad Heritage RegionAmbience in Karaikudi

Karaikudi is the economic center of Chettinad. Even the economic pressures and landspeculation, one can see different Chettiar areas over the town which show the variety of the house and their style.

Chettinad is one of the only remaining site which bears testimony to Tamil architecture and urban planning .

Bazar and Chandy market

Kanadukathan is the epicenter of the current tourism trail in Chettinad. It is the village where is located the Rajas palace and two of the mansions converted into heritage hotels. The visitors can appreciate its peaceful ambience in a semi urban context: large South/North streets , Italian architectural style.

Chettinad Heritage RegionAmbience in Kanadukathan

Chettinad Heritage RegionAmbience in Pallathur

Pallathur is a important Chettiar village (5 000 inhabitants) located near Kanadukathan. Its regular and dense North/South gridurban pattern is the result of the management of the community at the time of its economic peak. The abundance of the decorative elements on the facades shows the opulence of the community.

Chettinad Heritage RegionAmbience in Kottaiyur

Kottaiyur is one of the largest village of the region (10 000 inhabitants) located 6 km from the main town Karaikkudi. The quick development of the economic center of the region has linked both the borders. Kottaiyur suffers from the economic pressure of its neighbor. Huge mansions still remain over the village despite that pressure.

Chettinad Heritage RegionAmbience in Rayavaram

Rayavaram is a large village (5 000 inhabitants) situated in the District of Pudukottai . Located 6 km from Kothamangalam, it is also well connected to Thirumayam Fort or Kadiyapatti. Rayavaram is a large showcase of Chettinad homes which cover two centuries of architecture in four distinct zones around Shivan Temple.

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Chettinad Heritage RegionAmbience in Kadiyapatti

Kadiyapatti is situated in the District of Pudukottai . Located 4 km from Rayavaram and 5km from Kothamangalam, is well connected to Thirumayam Fort. Kadiyapatti has veryunique large mansions embellished with magnificent architectural elements such astowers, cornices and parapets.

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Bad future : A lucrative business of antiquesIt is not only time that threatens these beautiful houses, but also the lucrative businessaround the export of columns, windows, ceilings and decorative elements. Houses andentire villages are rapidly vanishing, packed into containers headed for Western countries.

Growth without Planning and stakeholder PartnershipsChallenges to Conservation and Development

Massive desertion, demolition, lack of maintenance:The marvelous heritage left by past generations has progressively been eroded. This maphistoric core of Kanadukathan is showing in red that a large number of the mansions haveyet disappeared.

Diagram of estimate demolished houses in the village of kanadukathan

Challenges to Conservation and DevelopmentGrowth without Planning and stakeholder Partnerships

Development without protection plan and regulations will entail

the loss of the Chettinad heritage.

A specific master plan will be necessary

to define the possibilities of

heritage based development:

Definition of heritage zone; Height of the

buildings; Alignments, Type of windows; Materials; Colors.

Public facilities have also to be

considered.

Lack of protection and regulations in a large territory

Growth without Planning and stakeholder PartnershipsChallenges to Conservation and Development

Opportunities to Conservation & Development

A Central Location in South Tamil NaduThe new railway lane from Chennai to Rameswaram with a stop in Chettinad

The Improvement of the major roads

Well connected by air with two airport 90 Km from the region

Well preserved region

Potential for reuse of palatial homes

A large geo-cultural territory with strong identity

Inclusion into the 2008 Watch List of the World Monuments Fund

Inclusion into UNESCO Heritage Passport Programme

Commitment of Tamil Nadu Government and district collectorsInternational cooperation programme such as Region Centre (regional Gvt of France)/Tamil Nadu State Gvt

Action PlanImprovement of Public Facilities :Improvement of inter city connectionImprovement of public spaces in respect of heritage valueTreatment Solid wasteWater management, inclusive traditional water systemImprovement of SanitationRenewable energies such as production of solar energy, windmill, biomass

Creation of the Heritage House and the Heritage Centre :Creation of a centre for awareness and advice for the local authorities and the inhabitantsInformation centre for the visitors

Development of a Heritage-based Itinerary : Development of a Regional Identity BrandImplementation of different heritage trails around the regionTraining guides

Looking to the FutureRevive Chettinad Development Project : Action Plan

Creation of a Master Plan, inclusive local Protection and Development PlanRegional levelLocal and village levelRestoration and Adaptive Re-use

Development of a Cultural TourismDevelopment of different form of accommodations for touristsCreation of tourism facilities such as restaurants, coffee shops and souvenir shopsDevelopment of cultural activities such as an interpretation Center and an EcomuseumHighlight the Chettinad gourmet cuisineHighlight living heritage

Revive and Development of the Chettinad HandicraftEncouraging initiative for local knowhow by micro creditPromoting local handicraftCreation of a Centre for Training and Production of Handicrafts and Applied ArtsCreation of a Centre for International Exchange

Revive Chettinad Development Project : Action PlanLooking to the Future

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectAction Plan

The proposed "Revive Chettinad Development Project" will be executed in two phases:

First phase will focus on different axesA plan for the protection of the areaThe creation of the Chettinad Heritage House in a restored heritage heritagebuilding; The creation of a Heritage Centre in the Heritage House;The creation of an Interpretation Centre in the old Chettinad train station; Drawing up conservation and enhancement plan at regional and local level :adaptive Master Plan

Second phase will develop a larger programmeThe creation of an EcomuseumThe cretion of a Centre for Training and Production of Handicrafts and AppliedArtsThe creation of a Centre for International ExchangeAdaptive Cultural Tourism

The Key tool : The Chettinad Heritage House

Revive Chettinad Development Project

The Chettinad Heritage House :DefinitionHowProgrammeActiviitiesCurrent situation

What is a Heritage House

A heritage building :A Heritage House is usually set up in a publicheritage building located in the core heritagearea. It is a building which needs to be restoredby adaptive skills following the report of aconservation architect. The restoration workserves as pilot and training project for heritagebasis.

A team of experts :A Heritage House is staffed by trained architectsand urban planners, supported by jurists,mediators or other fields when required andinternational experts. The work and studies ofthe team has to be undertaken along with thelocal authorities, such as the district collectorsand village or town pachayats.

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectThe Key tool : The Chettinad Heritage House

The setting up of a Heritage House has to be based an institutional, a politicaland a legal support :

Institutional supportMulti-bi-lateral partnership agreement such as :State Government /UNESCOState Government /International institutionsUNESCO / International institutionsUNESCO /NGO

Political supportNational level : GoIState level : GoTNLocal level : District collectors

Legal supportGovernment or local level ownershipLocal NGO for running up the activities

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectThe Key tool : The Chettinad Heritage House

The Programme of the Chettinad Heritage House

Exhibition rooms;Office of the heritage team;Visitors services;Interpretation center;Pedagogical workshops;Handicraft demonstration and workshop;Heritage workshop;Resource center;

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectThe Programme of the Chettinad Heritage House

School in the old Alagappa Chettiar house in Kottaiyur proposed to be converted into the Chettinad Heritage House

Children School

Office

Exhibition

rooms

Visitors services

Pedagogical

WorkshopHeritage

Workshop

The activities amongst others of the Chettinad Heritage HouseProvision of technical and legal advice to the local population for the conservation;

Technical and legal advice to the local population the re-adaptive use of traditional buildings;

Awareness and technical assistance to the local authorities on heritage issues;

Permanent watch;

Survey and inventory of heritage buildings and structures;

Drawing up of conservation plan for historical structures;

Preparation of a regional and local heritage management plan;

Exhibitions and information centre to the visitors;

Participation to local heritage committees;

Development of a heritage-based itinerary;

Bring heritage skills and capacity building to local stake holders;

Create a basis of knowledge;

Organization of seminars;

Manage and coordinate university partnerships on site;

Publish studies and researches.

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectActivities of the Chettinad Heritage House

Example of exhibits : Baskets, kottans, various containers, vessel at Rm. Rm. Foundation in Kanadukathan

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectMission of the Chettinad Heritage House : The Heritage Center

The Heritage House will also house the Heritage Centre which will receive national and international visitors :Many services (utilities, coffeeshop, handicraft shop, book shop, etc.)

Practical and cultural information (site plan, conferences, shows, demonstrations of skills, workshops for adults and children, etc.)

Temporary exhibitions for two or three years (handicrafts, history, customs and way of life, natural and building heritage)

Conception of medium term projects (eco-museum, centre for training and production of handicrafts and applied art, centre for international exchanges).

Creation of an Interpretation CenterIn connection with the Chettinad Heritage House, an interpretation and information centerto visitors will be housed in the old Chettinad train station, Gateway of the region.sensitizing,interpretinggiving practical information.Panels produced by university partnerships and the team of the Heritage House will bedisplayed in the old restored building in collaboration with international experts, ArcHe-S andUNESCO .

Heritage building at the Chettinad train station to beconverted into Interpretation Center

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectMission of the Chettinad Heritage House : The Interpretation Center

Proposed heritage-based itinerary

Climatic Architecture

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectMission of the Chettinad Heritage House : The Interpretation Center

The Space and the Function

Palatial HomesThe Space and the Function

Development of a Heritage-based Itinerary: Architectural and urban Trail : Implementation of heritage walks in core area such as Karaikkudi, Kottaiyur, Pallathur, Kanadukathan, Kothamangam, Ryavaram, Kadiyapatti.Country Planning Trail.Area around the Chettinad Train Station restored Temple trail:Clan temples ; Village temples ; Ayyanar temples .Art Deco Trail:Walk around the important 20/40s area of Karaikkudi and other villagesHandicraft Trail;Wood work and chariot marker and Handloom weavers in Karaikkudi, Athangudi tiles, Kotans in Pilayarpatti.Nature trail: Bird watching and walking through traditional water system (erys).Sea shore trail: Fisherman port of Mimisal, Avudaiyarkovil temple, the village potters who are making every years these beautiful horse, cows or elephant figures offered to the local deity of Ayyanar .Cuisine training: Chettinad cuisine experience.

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Heritage-based intineraryRevive Chettinad Development Project

Identification of the local planning area and preparation of regional master plan:

Collection of dataGathering of historical knowledgeCollecting all the necessary documentation for carrying out the survey: cartography,surveys undertaken by or for the Government departmentsSeeking the help of Government institutions and departments that are likely to have thepertinent knowledge or information

Identification, analysis and diagnosis of the heritageSurvey of the territory for identifying the heritage elements and understanding the evolutionof the placesDelimitating the historical core zoneInventory sheetsStudying architectural evolution and specific detailsExamining shape, scale, Interaction between buildings.

The studies will be undertaken by an architect specialized in heritage conservation, a teamof architects and urban planners.

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectMission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Drawing up protection et conservation plan

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Studying architectural evolution

Inventory sheets Understanding theArchitectural organisationwithin each plot.

Example of inventory sheets and architectural studies of the city of Chartres (France) before proposal for conservation plan

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Drawing up protection et conservation plan

Proposal for future orientationsAnalysis and a diagnosis concerning the heritage by adopting a planning approachProposals for orientations which will be presented to local bodies and inhabitants definingthe limits of the sector to be preserved in the Chettinad territory;Overview of the rules for heritage zones;These proposals will take into account all development plans for the entire sector.

EXAMPLE OF A SECTOR PROTECTION PLAN FOR THE CITY OF CHINON (REGION CENTRE, FRANCE) showing :

Historic momuments;Monuments;Heritage buildings to be protected;Buildings to be restored:Buildings of no heritage value;Buildings to be demolished;Natural zone to be protected.

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectMission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Drawing up protection et conservation plan

University partnershipUniversity partnerships will be importany for initiating and developing heritage skills andawareness and capacity building in Tamil Nadu.The Heritage House will coordinate university workshop and different programme in the fieldsof :Heritage and conservation;Urban planning;Water ressources;Environmental studies, such as sustainable energies;Nature and forest management;Tourism development;Branding the Chettinad identity;Local governance and capacity building.

Revive Chettinad Development Project

Documents realized by the students in architecture of Anna University Chennai during the ChettinadHeritage Studio Jan. 2008, SAP Anna/Ecole de Chaillot

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : University partnership

2007 and 2008 Chettinad Heritage Studios, programmes within the framework of international exchange between Anna

University (Chennai) and School of Chaillot (Paris), with the collaboration of UNESCO and the NGO ArcHe-S

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectMission of the Chettinad Heritage House : University partnership

Cultural Tourism:Creation of a coordination committee of heritage hotels in the region;

Promoting micro-projects such as Bed & Breakfast along with an organized network;

Creating or promoting a network of private houses to be visited along with the community;Training guides;

Organization of cultural events : Dance and music festivalsVillage festivalsExhibition of handicraft and art

Researches for economical revival :Tourism alternatives;

Outsourcing activities;

Sport activities;

Centers of excellence : Heritage skillsApplied artsArt and designCosmeticTraditional medecine such as ayurveda

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectMission of the Chettinad Heritage House : promote cultural tourism and economic revival

Mission of the Chettinad Heritage House : Cultural TourismRevive Chettinad Development Project

Phase of finalizing partnership agreement between GoTN and UNESCO;

Approved decentralized cooperation programme supported by RegionCentre France and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership withUNESCO, the city of Aix-en-Provence, the Ministry of the Culture France, the NGOArcHe-S, the urban agency ADUC and the Revive Chettinad Society;

Cultural cooperation agreement on process between GoTN and RegionCenter France;

Commitment of local authorities for the creation of the ChettinadHeritage House and the proposed Old Alagappa House in Kottaiyur;

Transfer of ownership of this house from local level to state level, Departmentof Tourism;

Missions of expertise of ArcHe-S for District Collector Sivagangai onimprovement of public space and the restoration of the Alagappa oorani inKanadukathan;, recommendation reports

Cooperation programme between Anna University, Dept of ArchtectureChennai, and postgraduate School of conservation, Ecole de Chaillot, Paris.

Inclusion of Chettinad into the 2008 Watch List of the World Monuments Fund, USA;

Inclusion into the UNESCO Heritage Passport Programme.

Revive Chettinad Development ProjectMission of the Chettinad Heritage House : The Current situation

Supported by UNESCOWebsite: www.unesco.org/newdelhi

Thank you for your attention

The Revive Chettinad Heritage Campaign is a heritage based-development program launched in

May 2007 by UNESCO New Delhi in collaboration with ArcHe-S with the endorsement of the

Tamil Nadu Government

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