Handmade Athangudi Tiles from Chettinad, Tamil Nadu
In addition to visiting the palaces and temples of Athangudi, Chettinad a visit to handmade Athangudi tile factory is strongly recommended.
Athangudi Tiles History
A century back the rich residents of Chettinad imported European tiles, probably it was a mark of their richness. But practical difficulties soon set in. With wear and tear the damaged tiles couldn’t be replaced. And if replaced with local one, the whole design and beauty was upset.
It is said “Necessity is the mother of invention!” With new demand many tile making units soon mushroomed in Athangudi. Initially they came out with designs to match the existing patterns.
Soon creativity set in, and each tile factory came out with unique designs with vibrant colors. The tile units developed a character of their own and they were very much in demand.
With time their fame too spread. Today these designed tiles of Chettinad are transported to different parts of the country.
Cost of Athangudi Tiles
As I was touring the place and visited the place out of curiosity. I had no intention of buying Athangudi tiles. Nevertheless I asked her the price of these colorful Athangudi Tiles.
She immediately replied they are lot cheaper than the vitrified tiles we buy in cities. She seemed lot aware of the quality and pricing of different tiles. These tiles give good competition to red oxide flooring in Kerala too.
She incurs some losses during the making of these tiles. If not careful enough the glass sheets break.
Handmade Athangudi Tiles from Chettinad
It seemed that several houses ran this business of making and selling Athangudi tiles. The lady attending this Lakshmi Tiles showed me around some of the stuffs used for manufacturing and explained the process.
I should have taken a video of it and I regret it now. The time invested in making of each tile required is more. It is completely handmade and that explains why huge time is required to complete orders.
These are made of locally-available sand, cement and naturally occurring oxides. They use white cement, sand, pigments, baby jelly and synthetic oxides for different colors.
Handmade Athangudi Tiles Chettinad – Tiles kept in tank water
Process of Making Athangudi tiles
They color white cement using several coloring agents. Most common colors they make are in red, blue, mustard, grey and emerald. Bright and beautiful they surely make a style statement.
The tiles are made from the mixture of cement and sand. They use very fine texture of sand for this. It is filtered to remove impurities from it. The first mix of dough is made using white cement, sand and baby jelly with water. For different colors they use coloring oxides, measured quantity of color with sand, white cement and water turning it into a thin paste.
Small manufacturing units that can afford use machines to make this into a finer paste. Here I saw the lady check the consistency of the mixture and pour it over a glass base. For different designs she used different frame, poured different colors in the compartments of the designed framework.
So while the designs may be same variation in tiles is made with the different color combinations, good chance of making designer tiles. The designed frame locally called as Aass.
She had her collection of color oxides in a separate section of her unit. Blue oxides cost the maximum, she said, then other colors like light green oxide, red, black and yellow oxides.
After the design was made, she sprinkled a dry mix of grey cement and sand to absorb the moisture. This in a way avoids any further disturbance of the designs. (Around 175 tiles can be made with one bag of cement).
The glass surface gives a smooth surface and sheen. After drying it overnight at room temperature, it is wiped clean and then left in water for a couple of days to harden. A small concrete tank of water is a common feature in all tile making units.
Here in the pic you can see her separating the tile from the glass base and the beautiful design that came out; it had stunned me. That explained the smooth finish of the tiles. Athangudi tiles are smooth yet non slippery hence the demand still exists.
This is now sun dried. No fuel is used for drying it or during any part of the process of making these tiles.
There is tough competition in the market for these tiles from the ceramic, vitrified tiles. Therefore off late there is a drop in demand for these painstakingly made heritage handmade Athangudi tiles.
I feel government should step in and take measures to preserve this form of tile making as heritage craft work.
Athangudi Tiles Interesting Facts
- Athangudi tiles are named after the village of their origin.
- These tiles are eco-friendly and economical.
- This art of making handmade tiles is at least 5 centuries old.
- It can be classified as heritage art.
- They can be custom made into any geometric pattern.
- Huge demand for floral motif or freestyle designs
- They do take up orders for designer kinds.
- The tiles are made all through the year, both men and women are involved in making these beautiful Athangudi tiles.
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These tiles are old but still price is cheep.once up on a time people always buy this model tiles ,then cermamic tiles. now people use marple or marponite stone.
This post reminds me my visit to a mosaic tiles making factory once… obviously these tiles are unique, carrying tradition in the designs. Nice pics
Old world & yet so modern. Beautiful tiles.
This is a great info! And thanks so much for such a beautiful presentation.. Keep up the excellent job.
Beautiful, never knew about them
Beautiful view of tiles 🙂 loved this art 🙂 will try tile painting inspired by this 🙂
Nice to know about these tile-making industry…such beautiful designs…:-)
They are lovely! But what is baby jelly? 😛
Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing the information. 🙂
the tiles are so very beautiful !
Nice to gain some new info here about the tiles.
Wow, those tiles look truly beautiful to be created but small town companies.
I like knowing the history of why the tiles were first made there. I'm sure the process is actually a bit complicated but the results are bright and colourful.
The tiles are very attractive.
They are so beautiful and unique, let's hope they do not disappear.
I like you hope this traditional tile making continues.. It would be such a shame to lose.
Wren x
I did not know, they are still made. Wish to procure some for myself. Lovely patterns, these tiles are!
The tiles are pretty and colorful. A great post, thanks for sharing..Have a happy day!
Who needs Wikipedia if you are around, you sure bring out a lot of info on subjects that I cant even imagine. A great post and hope someone actually makes a note and saves this industry as Chaitali says.
Ooo – those tiles are beautiful!
Interesting info on Chettinad Tiles..!
gorgeous tiles. Thanks for sharing this informtion Indrani.
Interesting. I have lived 25 years in Tamil Nadu but did not know anything about this. The tiles look very authentic and beautiful.
Beautiful handmade tiles and photos. Such a colorful place!
i love tiles. i would be in heaven visiting a tile factory.
The tiles are beautiful — I love the vibrant colors. It. It's amazing that these tiles are still handmade.
Such an interesting post — as always, Indrani, and the tiles are so beautiful and colorful! Thanks as always for a wonderful look at your world!!
Those are lovely tiles
Bikram
Athangudi tiles and Chettinad are inseparable! Those tiles are so beautiful. I hope someone out there reads your post and takes required steps to ensure that the decline in demand does not adversely affect the industry.