![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eaCBlBb4NzJU22i3k9EEi1QFzCBST86kyMTSwOPxGB8Q-RzNeziu0GfdKZsmMf7FH83n4NCbY32e42KVkSOmb8BgJEfiB4_5TYJfwrmzasXuwdGfgaoMzJK8IKdrkpBZTsHO6wpWKTQg/s400/c1.jpg)
Karaikudi is a city in Tamilnadu which is known as the homeland of Nattukotai Chettiars. Chettiars are a prosperous banking & business community many of whom migrated to Burma, Sri Lanka, Malaysia etc .
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We visited a mansion of one of the Chettiars who welcomed us into their home with open arms.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFFkfcETfPOfBod1ix7e9YOKEOQmJBL8Qg_Kj0kY6gMx0bGNnx0HdPJARtVX4lvfZ-tQ0qemgd9aWozNjSLZ2C0Zvfd4X2uLyKVFe7bQ8WtZ96VwgeQGHHdoks8cbYXN5VjzHeK1FA1y2/s400/c4.jpg)
Intricate carvings on the door just took my breath away.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrQcCV1_cAHsreyqN1mDHCGs5RGera0JQN3nw5WnCpxAwaoZbGJ24-O6p8odmqEfM2-u6TbErmwW8G0uH5_gqkEjbnrMSQHKv1EZuVOwLBD5VRfjk9SzBz8PZHPIAje00RwmXAP1KFj-4/s400/chettinad_doorcarving.jpg)
Close-up of the carvings in one of the main doors.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJZFOBhO-lm1AMQhvi8wehgh-Jg2iTY5SlLr_a7UzoCEAxqMh51My0D4UKboUUQNdkDAri8Yi-Yv8r0bYjbwhlTvzBgalRhrlHojv3i55FoLIJyJh7S-67K9GWHa8zIh0oDMli3vAk2Fq/s400/c6.jpg)
The design is typical of traditional south indian village homes...there is an open courtyard in the centre through which natural light fills the whole house.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHZpobImK5kssfDlYJp8abLlzGKchgMBCuXcte2pnf8HZ5qHRzDnyqdoJ8zGAzZzIX2wgcGFhVnxcT0SJCgXKZNI3cMd0zLMFOuha6rz4jWZFi1QDBOaGNcKVLeGNYOF8QKY17oRLPupC/s400/c5.jpg)
Beautiful stone-carved pillars line the courtyard. Colourful handmade floor tiles called Athungudi tiles demarcate the various sections of the house.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixWo2x3w5-d6KyXIYwbj3ZouflGg1VlOwH9LoIN04GUsXE9tkp_-AjsjH5Sstm47B2WEELXnTkBpBLMvQZQrba2NjD2udCpaW63cokSmyBY1zQvTr0LPbtZ9U8RsYg78eVB_eporgPkf56/s400/c8.jpg)
This entrance room had a chess board floor design.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSLCYkZ6K74NNumbAj_2Nlk7vjCFdX0nP1k_AdDHPbeX__NgSBMVnxHHlPdx2gegKq3CnlFAt8DsQRVSSHDZZPkSgFhwe5U1PGWbUahVBhLN0d_c1FhGqS-2HCIPfLtBTjuqoKj5Zhe0J/s400/c7.jpg)
Just loved this space dedicated to the black & white pictures of their ancestors. Lovely!
The highlights:
* Intricately carved doors in Burma Teak.
* Carved stone & wooden pillars and beams.
* Handmade Athungudi floor tiles.
* Carved wooden furniture with antique tiles.
* Antique furnitures, enamel, lacquer & wooden vessels from Burma, Srilanka, Malaysia etc
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