India dian Heri eritage C ities Netw etwork ork 2nd Biennal Conference-Hyderabad
Revi vive ve C hettinad Heritage C ampaign C onc ept of a C hettin ina ad Heritage House Ke y to o l fo forr sha hap p ing the fut futur ure e
C he hetttina nad d He rita g e Re g io n Loc a tion an a nd G eo eogr gra a phy
Loca oc ation: Sout outhern ern part part of Tami amil Nadu State ate (Sout outh India) dia),, whi which capit capital is Chen Chennai (Madras Madras)), The main ain town own of the regi egion is Karai araik kkudi, di, which is 480 km from ic ts, Sivaga ivaganga ngaii and Pudukott udukottai, C henn ennai. ai. The region egion spread pread over over two district c om ompr priising two c ities and 73 vil villages. C a p ita ita l o f TN: Che C henna nnaii 480 km Interna Internati tio o nal na l air a irp p o rt: Tiruc iruc hira hira p a lli, lli, 90 90 km km National airport: Madurai, 90 km Thanjavo Thanjavorr (WH (WHS UNES NESC O ), 90 km Main town: Karaikudi, Train Station Ep ic entre: entre: Kana Ka nad d uka uka than, Histori toric a l Chetti C hettina nad d tra tra in stati statio on C o o rd inate ina tes s: 10° 10°10’ 10’ N, 78° 78°46 46’’ E
C hettinad
C limat limate: e: 1,550 square kilometers kilometers, the region Located ocated in a semi emi-ari arid plai plain n of 1,55 egion receiv eceives two monsoons: The The South West West M onsoo onsoon, n, from from J uly uly to mid mid Septem ep tembe berr, 100ml; ml; The The North North Ea st monsoo monsoon n from from O c tober tobe r to Dec ember embe r; 180 ml. ml. The The regi eg ion of C hetti hettinad na d showc a ses some of the the most most inter nteres esti ting ng water wa ter manage anagem ment ent systems ems and and drai drain nage patt pattern ern. A water ater manage anagem ment ent was p la nn nne d b y the C he he ttia rs rs to una bl ble the c on ontro l o f flo w o f wa te te r whic h depends depends only only on the rain ain water water resour esourc c es. es.
C he hetttina nad d He rita g e Re g io n Loc a tion an a nd G eo eogr gra a phy
Loca oc ation: Sout outhern ern part part of Tami amil Nadu State ate (Sout outh India) dia),, whi which capit capital is Chen Chennai (Madras Madras)), The main ain town own of the regi egion is Karai araik kkudi, di, which is 480 km from ic ts, Sivaga ivaganga ngaii and Pudukott udukottai, C henn ennai. ai. The region egion spread pread over over two district c om ompr priising two c ities and 73 vil villages. C a p ita ita l o f TN: Che C henna nnaii 480 km Interna Internati tio o nal na l air a irp p o rt: Tiruc iruc hira hira p a lli, lli, 90 90 km km National airport: Madurai, 90 km Thanjavo Thanjavorr (WH (WHS UNES NESC O ), 90 km Main town: Karaikudi, Train Station Ep ic entre: entre: Kana Ka nad d uka uka than, Histori toric a l Chetti C hettina nad d tra tra in stati statio on C o o rd inate ina tes s: 10° 10°10’ 10’ N, 78° 78°46 46’’ E
C hettinad
C limat limate: e: 1,550 square kilometers kilometers, the region Located ocated in a semi emi-ari arid plai plain n of 1,55 egion receiv eceives two monsoons: The The South West West M onsoo onsoon, n, from from J uly uly to mid mid Septem ep tembe berr, 100ml; ml; The The North North Ea st monsoo monsoon n from from O c tober tobe r to Dec ember embe r; 180 ml. ml. The The regi eg ion of C hetti hettinad na d showc a ses some of the the most most inter nteres esti ting ng water wa ter manage anagem ment ent systems ems and and drai drain nage patt pattern ern. A water ater manage anagem ment ent was p la nn nne d b y the C he he ttia rs rs to una bl ble the c on ontro l o f flo w o f wa te te r whic h depends depends only only on the rain ain water water resour esourc c es. es.
C he hetttina nad d He rita g e Re g io n Geography
Semi-arid landscape
C he hetttina nad d He rita g e Re g io n Location
TRIC ICHY, HY, 90 km/ 2h
Pondic ondicherr herry
TANJ AVU VUR R, 90 km/ km/ 2h
Thir hiruc uchir hira apa palli lli
Thanjavur
C HETTIN INA AD C HETTIN INA AD MADURAI, 90 km/ 2h
Madurai Rameswaram
RAMESWARAM, 130 km/ 3h
C hettinad Heritage Region A History The Chettinadu means country of the Chettiars. The Chettiars belong to a lineage of wealthy traders and financiers who made their fortunes by extending their business to the whole of Southeast Asia, particularly during 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 they established a financial empire in Burma, Sri Lanka and Singapore. The world financial depression: Their recent history is closely linked to the sweeping geopolitica l changes that took place in the middle of the 20th century in this vast region. These changes made the Region and its very unique heritage forgotten for the last dec ades.
C hettinad Heritage Region Unique Heritage elements of C hettinad : Urban Planning on grid
Devakottai
Athangudi
Kothamangalam
Kanadukathan
Pallathur
The 73 villages and the two towns of the region have been planned following the same urban grid pattern. This urban 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 meters length by 120 meters long.
C hettinad Heritage Region Unique Heritage elements of C hettinad : The huge palatial mansions
Reception hall, Karaikkudu
Raja’s Palac e, Kana dukathan
C hettinad Heritage Region Unique Heritage elements of Chettinad : The territory and the C lan Temples
The Chettinad is a geo-cultural territory which is organized around the 9 clan temples. Each member of the C hettiar community belongs to a c lan, eac h c lan has its temple run by the group.
Neman temple
Location of the 9 c lan temples
C hettinad Heritage Region Unique Heritage elements of C hettinad : Ayyanar Temple
Ayyanar is a preAryan protecting Deity which is very popular in Tamil Nadu, partic ularly in C hettinad. The shrines are located at the entrance of the villages in order to ensure their protection. Every year for the Tamil new yea r, terracotta horses, c ows or elephants are offered to Ayyanar for thanking for his protection. Terrac otta figures in Ayyanar shrine at Kotadi and Kothamanga lam Sivaganga i district
C hettinad Heritage Region Unique Heritage elements of C hettinad: The ooranis As C hettinad is loc ated in a semi-arid plain, the chettiars have elaborated a sophisticated water management system with a huge network for collecting the rain water. The Oorani is a Tamil word for surfac e water storage tank loc ated in the villages and towns. In C hettinad, each village comprise a minimum of three water bodies ac cordingly to the needs of storage for drinking and bathing uses of the villagers.
C hettinad Heritage Region Unique Heritage elements of C hettinad: The Erys Part of this water management system, the Erys are traditional surfac e water storage lakes organized in a huge network nec essary for sustainable in agric ulture. They have played, through the ages, a very important role in irriga tion and in ec o-system in low-rainfall agric ultural areas, such as C hettinad.
Ery near Kanadukathan
Below the ery ric e fields near Kanadukathan
C hettinad Heritage Region Unique Heritage elements of C hettinad : 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 c onnec t the c ore of Kanadukathan, (with its Raja’s pa lac e), to the Shivan Temple, the Raja’s Island, the c otton mills and the train station.
The plazza in C hettinad train station
Old Chettinad train station
C hettinad Heritage Region Unique Heritage elements of C hettinad : The Art Deco Heritage
The Chettinad region c omprise a grea t number of surprising “Art Dec o” style houses. Generally built in the 40/50’s, the buildings are showc asing elements of arc hitecture 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 c ould be proposed for heritage walks.
Elevation of twin house in Kanad ukathan
Art Dec o house in Karaikkudi
C hettinad Heritage Region Unique Heritage elements of C hettinad : Living heritage : The skills
C hariot makers
Kottan
Metal work
Wood work
J ewelry
Athangudi tiles
Weaving
C hettinad Heritage Region Unique Heritage elements of C hettinad : Intangible Heritage The Traditions and the Living Arts
Wedding function
Art of Kolam
C hettinad c uisine
Barathanattyam
Village festival
C hettinad Heritage Region Unique Heritage elements of C hettinad : Natural Heritage Bird Watching and Sacred Woods
Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary
Vettangudi Ayyanar shrine : Testimony of sac dred wood
C hettinad Heritage Region Ambience in Karaikudi Karaikudi is the ec onomic c enter of Chettinad. Even the ec onomic pressures and land speculation, one can see different C hettiar areas over the town which show the variety of the house and their style. C hettinad is one of the only remaining site whic h bea rs testimony to Tamil architec ture and urban planning . Bazar and Chandy market
C hettinad Heritage Region Ambienc e in Kanadukathan Kanadukathan is the epicenter of the current tourism trail in C hettinad. It is the village where is loc ated the Rajas’ palac e and two of the mansions converted into heritage hotels. The visitors c an apprec iate its peaceful ambience in a semi urban context: large South/North streets , Italian architectural style.
C hettinad Heritage Region Ambience in Pallathur Pallathur is a important C hettiar village (5 000 inhabitants) located near Kanadukathan. Its regular and dense North/ South grid urban pattern is the result of the management of the c ommunity at the time of its ec onomic peak. The abundance of the dec orative elements on the facades shows the opulence of the c ommunity.
C hettinad Heritage Region Ambience in Kottaiyur Kottaiyuris one of the largest village of the region (10 000 inhabitants) located 6 km from the main town Karaikkudi. The quick development of the ec onomic 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.
C hettinad Heritage Region Ambienc e 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 c onnec ted to Thirumayam Fort or Kadiyapatti. Rayavaram is a large showcase of Chettinad homes which cover two c enturies of architecture in four distinc t zones around Shivan Temple. 52
C hettinad Heritage Region Ambienc e in Kadiyapatti Kadiyapatti is situated in the District of Pudukottai . Located 4 km from Rayavaram and 5 km from Kothamangalam, is well connected to Thirumayam Fort. Kadiyapatti has very unique large mansions embellished with magnificent architectural elements such as towers, c ornices and parapets.
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C hallenges to C onservation and Development Growth without Planning and stakeholder Partnerships Bad future : A lucrative business of antiques It is not only time that threatens these beautiful houses, but also the lucrative business around the export of columns, windows, ceilings and decorative elements. Houses and entire villages are rapidly vanishing, pa cked into c ontainers headed for Western c ountries.
C hallenges to C onservation and Development Growth without Planning and stakeholder Partnerships Massive desertion, demolition, lack of maintenance: The marvelous heritage left by past generations has progressively been erod ed. This map historic core of Kanadukathan is showing in red that a large number of the mansions have yet disappeared.
Diagram of estimate demolished houses in the village of kanadukathan
C hallenges to C onservation and Development G rowth without Planning and stakeholder Partnerships Lack of protection and regulations in a large territory Development without protection plan and regulations will entail the loss of the Chettinad heritage. A spec ific master plan will be nec essary 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.
Opportunities to C onservation & Development A Central Location in South Tamil Nadu The new railway lane from Chennai to Rameswaram with a stop in Chettinad The Improvementof the majorroads 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 Wa tc h List of the World Monuments Fund Inclusion into UNESCO Heritage Passport Programme Commitment of Tamil Nadu Government and district collectors International cooperation programme such as Region Centre (regional Gvt of France)/ Tamil Nadu State Gvt
Looking to the Future Revive C hettinad Development Projec t : Action Plan
Action Plan Improvement of Public Facilities : Improvement of inter city c onnec tion Improvement of public spaces in respec t of heritage value Trea tment Solid waste Water management, inclusive traditional water system Improvement of Sanitation Renewable energies such as production of solar energy, windmill, biomass
Creation of the Heritage House and the Heritage Centre : C rea tion of a c entre for awareness and a dvic e for the loc al authorities and the inhabitants Information c entre for the visitors
Development of a Heritage-based Itinerary : Development of a Regional Identity Brand Implementation of different heritage trails around the region Training guides
Looking to the Future Revive C hettinad Development Project : Action Plan
Creation of a Master Plan, inclusive local Protection and Development Plan Regional level Local and village level Restoration and Adaptive Re-use
Development of a Cultural Tourism Development of different form of accommodations for tourists C reation of tourism facilities suc h as restaurants, coffee shops and souvenir shops Development of cultural activities such as an interpretation Center and an Ecomuseum Highlight the C hettinad gourmet c uisine Highlight living heritage
Revive and Development of the Chettinad Handicraft Encouraging initiative for loc al knowhow by micro c redit Promoting local handicraft C rea tion of a C entre for Training and Production of Handicrafts and Applied Arts C rea tion of a C entre for International Exchange
Revive C hettinad Development Projec t Action Plan The proposed "Revive Chettinad Development Project" will be executed in two phases:
Firstphase will focus on differentaxes •A p la n f o r t h e p ro te c tio n o f th e a re a •Th e c re a t io n o f th e C he ttin a d He rita g e Ho use in a re st o re d h e rit a g e h e rit a g e building; • The c re a tio n o f a He rita g e C e n tre in t h e He rit a g e Ho u se ; •Th e c re a t io n o f a n In te rp re t a t io n C e n tre in the old Chettinad train station; • D ra w in g u p c o n se rv a tio n a n d e n h a n c e m e n t p la n a t re g io n a l a n d lo c a l le v e l : a d a p t iv e M a st e r Pla n
Second phase will develop a larger programme •Th e c re a t io n o f a n Ec o m u se u m •The c re tio n o f a C e ntre fo r Tra in in g a n d Pro d u c t io n o f Ha n d ic ra fts a n d A p p lie d Arts •The c re a tio n o f a C e n tre fo r In te rn a tio n a l Ex c h a n g e •A d a p t i v e C ultura l To urism
Revive C hettinad Development Projec t The Key tool : The Chettinad Heritage House
The Chettinad Heritage House : •Definition •How •Programme •Activiities •Current situation
Revive C hettinad Development Projec t The Key tool : The C hettinad Heritage House What is a Heritage House A heritage building : A Heritage House is usually set up in a public heritage building located in the core heritage area. It is a building which needs to be restored by adaptive skills following the report of a conservation architect. The restoration work serves as pilot and training project for heritage basis. A team ofexperts : A Heritage House is staffed by trained architects and urban planners, supported by jurists, mediators or other fields when required and international experts. The work and studies of the team has to be undertaken along with the local authorities, such as the district c ollectors and village or town pac hayats.
Revive C hettinad Development Projec t The Key tool : The C hettinad Heritage House
The setting up of a Heritage House has to be based an institutional, a political and a legal support : Institutional support Multi-bi-lateral partnership agreement such as : State Government /UNESCO State Government /International institutions UNESCO / International institutions UNESCO /NGO
Political support National level : GoI State level : GoTN Local level : District collectors
Legal support Government or local level ownership Local NGO forrunning up the activities
Revive C hettinad Development Project The Programme of the C hettinad 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;
Children School
Office Pedagogical
Heritage Workshop
Exhibition
Workshop
rooms
Visitors services
School in the old Alagappa Chettiarhouse in Kottaiyur proposed to be converted into the Chettinad Heritage House
Revive C hettinad Development Projec t Ac tivities of the C hettinad Heritage House The activities amongst others of the Chettinad Heritage House •Provision of technical and legal advice to the local population forthe 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; •Developmentof 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 C hettinad Development Projec t Mission of the C hettinad Heritage House : The Heritage C enter The Heritage House will also house the Heritage Centre which will rec eive national and international visitors : •Many services (utilities, coffeeshop, handicraft shop, book shop, etc.) •Practical and cultural information (site plan, conferenc es, shows, demonstrations of skills, workshops for adults and children, etc .) •Temporary exhibitions for two or three years (handicrafts, history, c ustoms and wa y of life, natural and building heritage) •Conception of medium term projects (ec o-museum, centre for training and production of handicrafts and applied art, centre for international exchanges).
Example of exhibits : Baskets, kottans, various c ontainers, vessel at Rm. Rm. Foundation in Kanadukathan
Revive C hettinad Development Project Mission of the C hettinad Heritage House : The Interpretation C enter Creation of an Interpretation Center In connection with the C hettinad Heritage House, an interpretation and information center to visitors will be housed in the old C hettinad train station, G ateway of the region. •sensitizing, •interpreting •giving practical information. •Panels produced by university partnerships and the team of the Heritage House will be displayed in the old restored building in collaboration with international experts, ArcHe-Sand UNESCO .
Propo sed heritage-based itinerary
Heritage building at the Chettinad train station to be co nverted into Interpretation Center
Revive C hettinad Development Project Mission of the C hettinad Heritage House : The Interpretation C enter
The Spa ce and the Function
The Spa ce and the Function
Palatial Homes
C limatic Architec ture
Revive C hettinad Development Project Mission of the C hettinad Heritage House : Heritage-based intinerary Development of a Heritage-based Itinerary: A rc h i te c t u ra l a n d u rb a n Tra il :
Implementation of heritage walks in core area such as Karaikkudi, Kottaiyur, Pallathur, Kanadukathan, Kothamangam, Ryavaram, Kadiyapatti. C o un try Pla nn ing Tra il.
Area around the C hettinad Train Station restored Te m p le tra il:
C lan temples ; Village temples ; Ayyana r temples . A rt Dec o Tra il:
Walk around the important 20/ 40’s area of Karaikkudi and other villages Ha nd ic ra ft Tra il;
Wood work and chariot marker and Handloom wea vers in Karaikkudi, Athangudi tiles, Kotans in Pilayarpatti. Na ture tra il:
Bird wa tching and wa lking through traditional wa ter system (erys). Se a sho re tra il:
Fisherman port of Mimisal, Avudaiyarkovil temple, the village potters who are making every years these beautiful horse, cows or elephant figures offered to the loc al deity of Ayyanar . C u i si n e t ra i n in g :
C hettinad c uisine experienc e.
Revive C hettinad Development Projec t Mission of the C hettinad Heritage House : Drawing up protec tion et c onservation plan
Identification of the local planning area and preparation of regional master plan: Collection of data •G athering of historical knowledge •C ollecting all the necessary documentation for carrying out the survey: cartography, surveys undertaken by or for the Government departments •Seeking the help of Government institutions and departments that are likely to have the pertinent knowledge or information
Identification, analysis and diagnosis of the heritage •Survey of the territory for identifying the heritage elements and understanding the evolution of the places •Delimitating the historic al core zone •Inventory sheets •Studying architec tural evolution and specific details •Examining shape, scale, Interaction between buildings.
The studies will be undertaken by an architect specialized in heritage conservation, a team of architects and urban planners.
Revive C hettinad Development Project Mission of the C hettinad Heritage House : Drawing up protec tion et conservation plan Inventory sheets
Studying architectural evolution
Understanding the Architectural organisation within each plot.
Example of inventory sheets and architectural studies of the city of Chartres (France) before proposal for conservation plan
Revive C hettinad Development Projec t Mission of the C hettinad Heritage House : Drawing up protec tion et conservation plan
Proposal for future orientations •Analysis and a diagnosis conc erning the heritage by adopting a planning approac h •Proposals for orientations which will be presented to loc al bodies and inhabitants defining the limits of the sector to be preserved in the C hettinad territory; •Overview of the rules for heritage zones; • These proposals will take into ac c ount all development plans for the entire sec tor.
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 b e restored: Buildings of no heritage value; Buildings to be demolished; Natural zone to be protec ted.
Revive C hettinad Development Projec t Mission of the C hettinad Heritage House : University partnership University partnership University partnerships will be importany for initiating and developing heritage skills and awareness and c apa city building in Tamil Nadu. The Heritage House will coordinate university workshop and different programme in the fields of : •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.
Documents realized by the students in architecture of Anna University Chennai during the Chettinad Heritage Studio J an. 2008, SAP Anna/ Ec ole de C haillot
Revive C hettinad Development Project Mission of the C hettinad 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 C hettinad Development Projec t Mission of the C hettinad Heritage House : promote c ultural tourism and economic revival
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 ofcultural events :
Dance and music festivals Village festivals Exhibition of handicraft and art
Researches for economical revival : •Tourism alternatives; •Outsourcing activities; •Sport activities; •Centersofexcellence :
Heritage skills Applied arts Art and design Cosmetic Traditional medecine such as ayurveda
Revive C hettinad Development Project Mission of the C hettinad Heritage House : C ultural Tourism
Revive C hettinad Development Projec t Mission of the C hettinad Heritage House : The C urrent situation •Phase of finalizing partnership agreement between GoTN and UNESCO; •Approved decentralized cooperation programme supported by Region Centre France and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with UNESC O, the city of Aix-en-Provenc e, the Ministry of the C ulture France, the NGO ArcHe-S, the urban agenc y ADUC and the Revive C hettinad Soc iety; •Cultural cooperation agreement on process between GoTN and Region Center France;
•Commitment of local authorities for the creation of the Chettinad Heritage House and the proposed Old Alagappa House in Kottaiyur; •Transfer of ownership of this house from loca l level to state level, Department of Tourism;
•Missions of expertise of ArcHe-S for District Collector Sivagangai on improvement of public spa c e a nd the restora tion of the A la ga ppa oora ni in Kanadukathan;, rec ommenda tion reports
•Cooperation programme between Anna University, Dept of Archtecture C hennai, and postgraduate School of c onservation, Ecole de Chaillot, Paris. •Inclusion of C hettinad into the 2008 Watch Listof the World Monuments Fund, USA; •Inclusion into the UNESCO Heritage Passport Programme.
