Attangudi or Athangudi is an small village in Sivaganga District. The village has a population of about 2,000 inhabitants and is mainly famous for chettinad furniture, tiles and various foods. The place is known for its floor tiles called as "Athangudi tiles". The tiles are handmade and has traditional patterns as design. It is durable and eco-friendly.
The place is present in Chettinad tradition area. The people of the area learned the art of tile-making and made a trademark of their own in Athangudi.Most of the families in this place are involved in making tiles.
The place is present in Chettinad tradition area. The people of the area learned the art of tile-making and made a trademark of their own in Athangudi.Most of the families in this place are involved in making tiles.
The style is unique in every area of
aesthetics. Manufacturing exclusive colourful tile designs was a thriving
industry then in Athangudi. The Athangudi tiles are hand-made. Even before
invasion of mechanized making of floor tiles such as ceramic, vitrified, marble
and granites, these flowering tiles of Athangudi were a match of its own class
and they competed with imported ones of Japan and Italy.
However, having little shelf life
and relatively slow manufacturing process, these tiles are not much in demand.
The situation has led to the decline in the market. Athangudi tiles need
revival. It needs support and encouragement.
FEATURES
Simple tile maintenance, to be
cleaned with water only, Custom made designs possible and variety of designs
and colours availiable. No polish required after laying and Naturally gets
polished with use. Due to less compact layers, cannot take heavy loadsThe style
is unique in every area of aesthetics. Manufacturing exclusive colorful tile
designs was a thriving industry then in Athangudi. The Athangudi tiles are
hand-made. Even before invasion of mechanized making of floor tiles such as
ceramic, vitrified, marble and granites, these flowering tiles of Athangudi
were a match of its own class and they competed with imported ones of Japan and
Italy.
However, having little shelf life
and relatively slow manufacturing process, these tiles are not much in demand.
The situation has led to the decline in the market. Athangudi tiles need
revival. It needs support and encouragement
History : One of the tiles maker Sivan Sakthi.
More than 100 years ago, Mr. V.
Paramasivam resided in Athangudi Village and was the Chief Mason of
construction and cement tiles with Slab and Jolly Makers. His son, Mr. P.
Nachiyappan introduced fully glazed Athangudi tiles. Now he runs the famous
Sivan Sakthi Flower Tiles in good manner. who are pioneers in Athangudi tiles.
He is striving hard to promote not only Athangudi tiles, but also other
handicrafts of the chettinad region.
Composition
of Athangudi Tile:
They are not ceramic. Cement, Baby
jelly and Sand along with synthetic oxides make up for the composition of the
tile. They are cast from the locally availiable clay that is first burnt and
then legazed. It is the play of the base colours with typical conventional
flora and line drawing designs that sets them apart from the modern versions in
the market. Machine Polish is not needed for these tiles, manufactured in the
early tones and configurations. It can be cleaned with husk initially.
Design
and Colour:
Any connoisseur of antiques would
swear by the traditionsla looks of Aathangudi tiles, that come in geometric and
floral designs. The colour, design and size could be custom-made to suit your
taste and decor. The tiles are generally used only for flooring. Dark, earthy
hues and black and white assemblage for bordes are the Aathangudi tile
specialities.
Tiles
Maintenance:
A daily mop with a few drops of oil
is said to keep the sheen intact. It is cost effective too. Only water and
coconut oil cleaning the tile.
Any connoisseur of antiques would
swear by the traditionsla looks of Aathangudi tiles, that come in geometric and
floral designs. The colour, design and size could be custom-made to suit your
taste and decor. The tiles are generally used only for flooring. Dark, earthy
hues and black and white assemblage for bordes are the Aathangudi tile
specialities
Simple tile maintenance, to be
cleaned with water only. Custom made designs possible and variety of designs
and colours availiable. No polish required after laying and Naturally gets
polished with use. Due to less compact layers, cannot take heavy loads. One
time laying the tile 100years life time used.
Watch the video :
An Athangudi tile-crafter demonstrates his talents by creating several
cement tiles using centuries-old techniques developed in the Chettinad
region of Tamil Nadu, India
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