What’s new at The Chettinad Heritage and Cultural Festival’s second edition

Come September, the heritage properties and mansions of Chettinad will open their doors to host the second edition of The Chettinad Heritage and Cultural Festival. Comprising dance and musical performances, lectures on the region’s culture, and architectural tours, among other highlights, the 2023 edition promises a deep dive into the region’s rich legacy. “We want to make Chettinad the next big destination,” says Yacob George, general manager, The Bangala, who is organising the festival with Bharatanatyam artiste Leela Samson as curator. “We have realised that only tourism can revive Chettinad’s lost charm and protect its heritage which is at stake. We hope to build the festival akin to the Kochi Biennale, and put Chettinad on India’s travel map,” he adds.

The Madurai tour

The festival’s second edition will also take interested guests for a two-day guided tour of Madurai (₹75,000 per couple) on October 3 and 4. The itinerary includes a visit to the Madurai Meenakshi Temple, the excavation site and museum at Keeladi, a jasmine trail to see how the flowers are picked and turned into garlands, and visits to the Gandhi Museum, Nayakar Palace, and a Sungudi sari manufacturing unit. “Guests will also be treated to a traditional lunch at an old Saurashtrian home, and a fusion dinner of British and Indian cuisines at an Anglo-Indian home,” explains Yacob.

During the Kanadukathan tour, guests can take a peek at the historic mansions belonging to the Nattukottai Chettiar community. Chettinad is home to over 11,000 such palatial homes (half of what existed 50 years ago), many that now lie abandoned or in various stages of ruin, and 10 such mansions will be open to the public this year. As a part of the Lakshmi Palace and Chettinad Tiles Factory to see how traditional Athangudi tiles are made during the Athangudi Tour, and also explore Pothiyan Veedu and CVCT House in the Karaikudi Tour.“This time, the artists are, of course, different, and the audience has multiple choices as to what to see and where. The committee also decided to make the mornings more flexible for the guests, as a few found the schedule a bit hectic last year,” says Leela, who is looking forward to the opening night performance of Tala Vadyam — a percussion group performance, and a performance by singer-musician Amrit Ramnath.