Mansions of Chettinad is a visually breathtaking and architecturally rigorous documentation of the palatial homes built by the Nattukottai Chettiars, a powerful merchant community in Tamil Nadu. Authored by the renowned architectural historian George Michell and captured by India’s premier architectural photographer Bharath Ramamrutham, the book explores the unique "fusion" aesthetic that defines the 70-odd villages of the Chettinad region.
The book captures a world where East meets West: where Victorian woodwork and Italian marble sit alongside traditional Tamil courtyard planning and Burmese teak. It is both an elegy for a fading way of life and a celebration of one of the most sophisticated vernacular architectural styles in Asia.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
George Michell: A world-leading authority on Indian architecture and archaeology.With a PhD in Indian Archaeology, he has spent decades documenting Hampi, the Deccan sultanates, and the royal palaces of South India.
Bharath Ramamrutham: Widely considered one of the best architectural and landscape photographers in India.His work is known for its mastery of natural light, capturing the texture of materials and the "soul" of a space.
