page_title: Attangudi
hierarchical_section_title: Attangudi
caption_attribution_description: The main hall of the Athangudi Palace, Chettinad. The enterprising Nattukottai Chettiars or Nagarathars travelled wide over the British Empire, towards the end of the 19th and early 20th Century. Chettiars were traders and bankers par excellence. It is believed that the system of double entry accounting, now practiced the world over was their contribution. Before the Bank of Ceylon was established the entire banking industry in Sri Lanka was managed by them. In a bid to make a strong statement of their social status and financial worth, the Narathars invested their earnings back in Chettinad, often in the form of opulent homes, befitting a Raja, a title which was actually conferred on some of them by the British. Their houses consisted of a series of halls and nalukettu and started with an elevated and covered verandah or thinai where men met visitors and business associates. The ornate door with fine carvings at the end of the thinai led to a huge decorated hall, often with decorated roof two floors high. This was the place where important guests received. A long hall, often running the length of the building was used as banquet halls during family celebrations like marriages. A door in line with the entry opens into a quadrangle, mainly used as the living quarters of the sons and their family. A third door in line with the two leads to a courtyard, which was basically used by the women. Often, a fourth quadrangle, which housed the kitchen, grinding wheel and the rice milling tools (Oral and Ulakkai) was also added just at the end. All doors are precisely lined so that from the main gate one can look straight through the doors into the backyard, which was often more than 200 yards away.
context_page_description: Attangudi or Athangudi is a village in Sivaganga District, in Tamil Nadu, India. The village has a population of about 2,000 inhabitants and is mainly known for chettinad furniture, tiles, and various foods.
  The place is known for its floor tiles called as "Athangudi tiles". The tiles are handmade and have traditional patterns and design. The tiles are durable and eco-friendly.
  Attangudi lies within the Chettinad traditional area. The people of the area learned the art of tile-making and made a trademark of their own in Athangudi. A majority of families in the village are involved in tile production.
context_section_description: Attangudi or Athangudi is a village in Sivaganga District, in Tamil Nadu, India. The village has a population of about 2,000 inhabitants and is mainly known for chettinad furniture, tiles, and various foods.
  The place is known for its floor tiles called as "Athangudi tiles". The tiles are handmade and have traditional patterns and design. The tiles are durable and eco-friendly.
  Attangudi lies within the Chettinad traditional area. The people of the area learned the art of tile-making and made a trademark of their own in Athangudi. A majority of families in the village are involved in tile production.
caption: Palace in Athangudi
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