How descendants and passionate architects are preserving the architectural heritage in southern India

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Thousands of mansions in a distant nook of India as soon as housed a few of the nation’s wealthiest bankers and merchants however a century later most of them lie deserted, their desolate stays a mute testomony to misplaced riches.

The tycoons of Chettinad, close to the nation’s southern tip, made their fortunes buying and selling treasured gems and spices throughout sprawling enterprise empires that stretched so far as Malaysia and Singapore throughout the period of British colonial rule.

Much of their wealth was channelled into the building of resplendent properties, embellished with stucco collectible figurines, vibrant glass home windows and cornices.

Historians say they sourced chandeliers from Venice, large mahogany-framed mirrors from Belgium and glazed ceramic tiles with intricate patterns from Birmingham.

“At that time there was a competition between the Chettiars themselves to create the most beautiful building – more beautiful than the brother, the cousin, whatever,” mentioned Bernard Dragon, a French architect working in the area.

But time has not been variety to the almost 11,000 palatial properties constructed throughout the area and many now seem dilapidated and overgrown with vegetation, their present house owners both unable to pay for maintenance or mired in property disputes.

“We worry about the state of conservation,” mentioned Dragon, who has labored to revive one property in the space to its former glory for service as a boutique resort.

“In some villages, the owners are more present and more committed. (But) in some of the villages, you enter… and you realise nobody is taking care of the properties.”

Chettinad’s residents belonged to a caste of Tamil retailers, and the location was a really perfect staging submit for a maritime service provider empire.

Its residents have been in a position to leverage their networks into sprawling banking operations and landholdings, in a business partnership with British merchants in search of markets and financing for commerce in tea, espresso and rubber.The front entrance of a dilapidated mansion in Kanadukathan, in India’s Tamil Nadu state.The entrance entrance of a dilapidated mansion in Kanadukathan, in India’s Tamil Nadu state.

But after World War II their holdings have been thrown into disarray, as independence actions gained floor regionally and socialist-inspired financial insurance policies at dwelling clamped down on money-lending and overseas commerce.

Many households, compelled to tighten their belts or search different alternatives, moved to the close by metropolis of Chennai, leaving their properties in the custody of caretakers or just abandoning them.

Expecting a revival

Today, the dozens of villages that make up Chettinad area are removed from the beating coronary heart of business life in southern India, whereas Chennai has grow to be an essential hub for finance and the automotive business.

With the nearest airport greater than two hours away and the mansions – some with as much as 100 rooms – needing staggering sums for maintenance, there may be little urge for food for native actual property.

But emotional attachments from the descendants of earlier inhabitants and passionate architects extolling the supreme craftsmanship of the properties have helped gasoline some efforts to protect these marvels.

“The new generation is earning a lot of money and they are interested in these properties,” mentioned A. Chandramouli, the aged proprietor of the Chettinadu Mansion.

“I expect a revival shortly,” he added, sat on an vintage chair in a tiled courtyard awash with afternoon daylight. “They want to preserve this unique heritage for future generations.”

The Chettinadu Mansion, unfold over 40,000sq ft (3,700sq m), has been renovated right into a heritage resort and has been featured as a backdrop for Bollywood motion pictures.

Other properties have largely retained their gleaming marble flooring, crystal chandeliers and carved mirrors whereas including trendy facilities catering for rich sightseers drawn to the space’s light grandeur.

“These homes need to be restored for our future generations to see how people used to live here,” mentioned vacationer Malini Bharathy, in between snapping selfies from one among the sun-drenched balconies of Chandramouli’s property.

“I want my son (and) my son’s son to come here and enjoy this, and relish this.” – AFP



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