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Inside Kalai, a new festival that celebrates Chettinad’s art, architecture, and craft traditions
Inside Kalai, a new festival that celebrates Chettinad’s art, architecture, and craft traditions
The last few years have seen a revival of Tamil Nadu’s tourism hotspots, Chettinad in particular. This, courtesy of festivals like the annual The Chettinad Heritage & Cultural Festival, culinary tours, architectural initiatives in the region, and more. Now, this list gets another addition by way of Kalai, a Chettinad Art and Architecture Festival that launches this April.
The Lotus Palace Chettinad | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Curated by The Lotus Palace Chettinad in collaboration with a few of Chettinad’s most iconic heritage properties such as The Bangala, Visalam, Chidambara Vilas, Chettinad Mansion and Saratha Vilas, “Kalai was born from a vision to celebrate and preserve Chettinad’s legacy through immersive, deeply rooted cultural experiences,” says Priya Paul, chairperson, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels. “My connection with Chettinad goes back over a decade, long before I envisioned a hotel here. I was drawn to its stories, architectural grandeur, and extraordinary craftsmanship. To me, Chettinad offers travellers a chance to discover its nuanced historical narratives and meaningful cultural experiences that can shape the future of tourism,” she adds.
A weaver in Chettinad | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“The idea for Kalai grew organically from Suvai, our food-focussed festival held in July last year,” says Kathiravan Karunanithi, hotel manager, The Lotus Palace Chettinad. “While guests deeply enjoyed the culinary experiences, what truly captivated them was the architecture, craftsmanship, and artistic detailing of the spaces they explored across Chettinad,” explains Kathiravan, adding that it is this response that sparked the vision for Kalai — a festival dedicated to showcasing the region’s art and architecture through curated, immersive experiences.
The Lotus Palace Chettinad | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Like Suvai, Kalai is intended to be an annual affair “with each edition evolving to offer new perspectives and experiences that celebrate the depth and diversity of Chettinad”. Work on the first edition began in October 2025, “with a clear focus on creating meaningful access to Chettinad’s lesser-seen spaces, along with expert-led insights that bring alive its unique confluence of architecture, art, and craftsmanship,” he explains, adding that the curation process involved months of brainstorming and curation. This included mapping architectural highlights, identifying master artisans, and designing experiences.
A view of Chettinadu Chettiar palace at Kanadukathan, near Karaikudi | Photo Credit: VELANKANNI RAJ B
The three-day programme features expert-led talks by architects Sashikala Ananth and Sujatha Shankar on Vastu Shastra, a dedicated session tracing the evolution and spatial planning principles of Chettinad architecture, a visit to Thirumayam Temple with a guided talk on temple architecture by historian-author Pradeep Chakravarthy, and guided village walks.
KARAIKUDI, TAMIL NADU, 22/02/2018: A view of temple drinking water tank at Chettinadu Chettiar palace at Kanadukathan, near Karaikudi in Sivaganga District in Tamil Nadu on February 22, 2018. Photo: B.Velankanni Raj | Photo Credit: VELANKANNI RAJ B
The primary agenda for the festival, says Kathiravan, was two-fold. “Firstly, to position Chettinad as a cultural destination for discerning travellers, and secondly, to create a deeper appreciation for its historic legacy. Despite its richness, the region remains relatively underexplored, and Kalai aims to bring together architects, art enthusiasts, and culturally curious travellers to experience it in an immersive way.”
A snapshot of the Athangudi tile making process | Photo Credit: Design Pics Editorial
At its heart, the festival is also about preservation, says Kathiravan. This, the team brings to the fore by way of traditional craft-led activities at the festival such as an Athangudi tile-making demonstration, a visit to a Tanjore painting centre, among others. “We hope to generate greater awareness and engagement at a time when many of these practices are at risk of fading. Kalai is as much about celebration as it is about sustaining these living traditions for future generations,” he concludes.
From April 3 to 6. For bookings, call 9884750601 or 9350802689
Published - March 24, 2026 05:53 pm IST
The Hindu Weekend / lifestyle and leisure / travel and commuting / Tamil Nadu / traditional architecture / crafts / arts, culture and entertainment
Source: TheHindu
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