At the Chettinad Heritage and Cultural Festival, a revival takes root
The Chettinad Heritage and Cultural Festival offers a glimpse of a wider revival, driven by people such as Meenakshi Meyyappan, revivalist Visalakshi Ramaswamy and architect Benny Kuriakose who are finding new ways to preserve, reinvent and draw attention to the region’s architecture, crafts and traditions
The Chettinad Heritage and Cultural Festival, held in Karaikudi, is a revival that takes root like a family wedding, with caravans of vehicles, meticulous paperwork, urgent telephone conversations, and the elegant flutter of silk saris. Mrs. Meenakshi Meyyappan, a prominent figure, presides over the event at her boutique hotel in The Bangala.
At 92 years old, she has been diligently preparing for the festival, managing the schedule, speaker invitations, daily menus, and room allocations. Since its inception, the festival has attracted tourism, media attention, and change to the region, showcasing the unique culture of the Nattukottai Chettiar community. This community once dominated trade in Southeast Asia and built extravagant mansions, which now face neglect as many have fallen into disrepair.
The festival's impact is evident, as more people discover Chettinad for holidays and events, and investment in restored mansions continues to grow. Local entrepreneurs, such as jewellery designer Meenu Subbiah and historian Malvika Singh, are leveraging the revival to preserve and promote the region's rich heritage. Through collaborative efforts, including the restoration of architectural techniques, preservation of traditional crafts, and promotion of sustainable craftsmanship, the festival is breathing new life into Chettinad and ensuring that the region's cultural legacy endures.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
