Nathella Mansions
16, Vasu Naidu Street, Kilpauk |
It has been recorded elsewhere that practically the whole of the Chetpet area was owned by Komati Chettis. Among them, T. Namberumal Chetty was the largest landowner (see MM, January 1, 2009). One reason given for the name Chetpet is that it is a corruption of Chetti Pettai, taking into account the number of Chettis there. Almost all of them were businessmen and, among them, the families of Vummudi and Nathella became famous in the jewellery line and continue to remain so. The workshops and showrooms were in George Town, and the community had long lived there. But with growing affluence they moved to the leafy neighbourhoods of Kilpauk and Chetpet.
Nathella Mansions stands on Vasu Street, named after T. Vasu Naidu, who owned Landon’s Gardens which spanned most of this area (see MM, October 16, 2008). This house was the residence of Nathella Anjaneyulu Chetty and continues to be in the possession of the family. Not much is known about the history of the house, but it is noteworthy that, just as in the case of a jeweller’s showroom, all the balconies are protected by collapsible gates! The Chettis of this family being staunch Vaishnavites, religious icons were used to embellish the building. The facade incorporates several elements from the Art Deco style which came to Madras city in the early 1930s. It would appear from the architecture that the building was constructed at around that time. (Courtesy: KalamKriya.)
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