Brief History about Sri Letchmi Vilas | Athangudi Palace
Chettiars
CHETTIARS, a small sect of merchant community that originated from Naganadu (presently part of Andhra Pradesh), also called Nagarathars, were trading precious stones, spices, and rice from Kancheepuram, migrated to Kaviri-Poompattinam, a port town in East Coast in Tamilnadu. They continued their trading practices and expanded their business with East Asian countries from the Port of Nagapattinam, during the peak of Chozha Dynasty. On the invitation of Pandya King - Soundara Pandiyan in AD 15th Century, to develop the economic activity in the region ruled by the Pandya King, the Chettiars had settled in the villages allotted by the King encompassing areas in present Sivagangai and Pudukottai district in TamilNadu.
Shri N. Arunachalam Chettiar
Shri N. Arunachalam Chettiar from Muthupatinam – Athangudi village was also in the business of trading with South Asian Countries and stabilized his business in Burma Myanmar and ventured into financing activities. In association with Shri. CV. CT. Venkatachalam Chettiar of Kanadukathan, a nearby village at a distance of 8 K.Ms. Shri. N. Arunachalam Chettiar, A man of simplicity, he would walk between the two villages on foot. He connected capital-starved growing economies with capital-rich ones, effectively an early form of arbitrage financing, where no modern communication facility was present. They established the business with Trust and Acumen. Shri. N. AR. Nachiappa Chettiar is the only son of Shri. N. Arunachalam Chettiar.
Business and War
Shri. N. Arunachalam Chettiar continued financing activities in Myanmar and in farming activities around farming land irrigated by the River Irawathy. With business acumen, trust, passion and hard work, Shri. N.AR.Nachiappa Chettiar, grew business to multifold with principles of social capitalism. He desired to invest the annual surplus from all businesses into building a house at hometown. And this simple idea turned into what we now recognize as Athangudi Palace. Later, when war broke out, all businesses were shut and he returned to hometown.
Iconic and Unique
In 1929, Shri. N. AR. Nachiappa Chettiar, commenced construction of the house measuring 1.08 Acres, engaging 150 workers, masons, painters, blacksmiths, artists, and carpenters largely sourced from Tirunelveli, Nagercoil regions.
Completed in 1932, with hard-earned money saved from abroad businesses, materials sourced from across the globe, transported through innovative ways, and passionate workforce, which made the difference for bringing out a structure with 100% perfection without support of electricity, cement, and modern tools. The loyalty and passionate workers were materialized by Shrimathi. Meyyammai Achi, wife of Shri. N. AR. Nachiappa Chettiar. She played major role throughout the construction and won the hearts of the workers through her concern for them.
NO CEMENT
The foundation is constructed with Arch Foundation using Bricks and Stones. The walls are coated with Lime mortar, Egg white, Jaggery and Kadukkai-Black Myrobalan
NO ENGINEERS
The ceiling is interlocking of Tiles, Wood and Brick Top, supported with stone pillars, wooden log and steel beams. All the grill work are done with Riveting, no welding was in practice at that time.
NO ARCHITECTS
Entire Construction work were managed by Chief Mason Shri. Veerasamy Naicker, Carpenter - Mr. Muthu Asari, from Chockalingam-Pudur a nearby village, Accountant - Mr. Arunachalam Pillai, Artists - Mr. Gopal Raj, Mr. Kondal Raj family from Tiruchirapalli
The house is named “SRI LETCHMI VILAS” (“Letchmi”, the name of Shri N. AR. Nachiappa chettiar’s beloved mother and daughter). Because of the house’s sheer size, called as ‘Periya Veedu’ means Big House, is now globally known as “ATHANGUDI PALACE”.
"SRI LETCHMI VILAS” a pinnacle of Chettinad Heritage. It is a standing testimony to our prominent place in global trade, efficient global communications, affluent economic status of our country, tradition of Tamil Nadu, and culture of people who believed in hard work, honesty, workers contribution, and power of women, to take pride by each one of us.