Imagine a room where the floor is a symphony of textures and tones, each tile a musical note playing a harmonious tune that tells a story from 200 years ago. Athangudi tiles, renowned for their glossy finish and elaborate designs, get their name from a village in Tamil Nadu, where tradition leads to sustainability and home decor.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Chettiar community, known for their extensive trade networks, were influenced by various architectural styles that they wished to emulate.
“They imported tiles from countries like England, Germany, and Italy to adorn their palatial homes,” shares Senthil Kumar Gnanamuthu, who owns Athangudi Tile Palace, a legacy passed on through seven decades.
Demonstrating remarkable ingenuity, villagers in and around Athangudi, a village in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district, began crafting their own tiles, drawing inspiration from the imported designs, but infusing and customising them with local aesthetics and materials.
These handcrafted tiles often showcase floral motifs and geometric patterns in rich hues such as deep reds, blues, greens, and mustard yellows, and today, and offer a sustainable solution to tile manufacturing.
The entire village of Athangudi, with a population of less than 2,000 people, is involved in the tile-making process.
How are Athangudi tiles made?
The production process for Athangudi tiles begins by sourcing the raw materials — sand, cement, glass, iron frame, colours, and water. “The sand used to make the tiles, called Vaariman, a type of river sand that is unique to Athangudi; and that’s the hero of the tiles,” says Senthil.
This locally sourced sand, along with cement and natural pigments, forms the foundation of these eco-friendly tiles that require no firing or baking.
The first step, then, becomes framing; an iron frame is placed on the glass of a desired measurement. “We usually make 10×10-inch tiles with a frame thickness of 8 mm,” explains Senthil.
Next, colours are poured based on customer requirements, and artisans create stunning geometric patterns. The sand, mixed with dry mortar, is spread over the colours and allowed to settle for three to four minutes.
A layer of wet mortar — sand, cement, and water — is poured on top and left to dry for 24 hours. “The tiles are then cured in water tanks for three days, taken out on the fourth day, and dried naturally,” Senthil continues, ensuring durability and a distinctive sheen.
Post-curing, the tiles are left to dry under the sun. “In summer, it takes about five to seven days, while in winter, it takes around 10 to 15 days,” Senthil informs. The drying process is crucial, as inadequate drying could lead to design collapse, wasting both time and resources. The final step, glazing, involves adding extra colour or cement to give the tiles their glossy finish.
“Since this is handmade, even a minor flaw like a drop of colour in the wrong place means the tile fails the quality check,” says Kalimuthu, who has been making tiles for over 30 years.
By sticking to local materials and avoiding the use of chemicals or kilns, Athangudi tiles are able to be both affordable and environmentally friendly.
Athangudi: A village of tile-makers
Every resident in Athangudi has been a pioneer in the craft of tile-making. “The entire village is involved in the legacy of taking this tile forward to the next generation,” shares Amir, a resident of the village, whose father runs a fifth-generation Athangudi tile business.
“We are known for three things — the yummy food, the strong woodwork that we do, and the hand-made, vibrant tiles made using Athangudi sand,” Amir adds.
In fact, the tiles form Athangudi’s identity. “We don’t know how to do anything other than making these tiles,” shares Kalimuthu, an artisan earning her livelihood from this craft. “Even a kid in our village will talk about the uniqueness of our tiles,” she shares proudly.
“Almost everybody in the village is associated with Athangudi tiles. Some have established their own companies, while others work as labourers who plan to start their own brands once they have mastered the art,” adds Amir.
This meticulous handcrafting results in each tile being unique, with slight variations that add to their charm. “By making minor changes to the 500 standard designs and using just seven primary colours, we’ve been able to produce 4,000 variants of these breathtaking tiles,” Senthil informs.
Priced at a minimum of Rs 38 per tile, the total days for manufacturing depend on the village’s climatic conditions. “We can make around 150 tiles per day for simple designs, and about 50 for more complex ones,” Senthil says.
Installing Athangudi tiles is an art in itself. “A minimum of three people are required to lay the tiles; even a small mistake can cause the tile to break,” says Senthil, highlighting the intricacies involved. Laying tiles for a 1,000-square-foot area takes at least three days.
Despite the effort, the results are well worth it. Apart from adding personality to each household, these tiles adapt to external climatic conditions, providing warmth in winter and a cooling effect in summer, making them ideal for households and resorts.
Durability is another question that often arises. Since these tiles are handmade and involve glass, concerns about their lifespan are common. Senthil clarifies, “The tile’s life depends on where you install it and how well you maintain it. If damaged, the tile will crack but won’t shatter into pieces.”
Additionally, the tiles age gracefully, with their sheen and colours becoming more vibrant over time.
“The customisation of the shape and colour of tile evolves based on each artisan, but the traditional handmade process of setting the frame, soaking, and drying takes the rich history forward,” shares Amir.
Taking the legacy forward
For the artisans, making Athangudi tiles is more than just a livelihood; it’s a passion. “There’s so much involved in preserving the legacy and, most importantly, the authenticity of the tile and its design,” says Kalimuthu whose husband, sons, and daughters-in-law are also involved in the manufacturing process.
Despite challenges posed by external players entering the market, Kalimuthu believes they cannot match the quality and finish achieved through the traditional methods.
Today, Athangudi tiles are celebrated not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their cultural significance. These tiles are a cornerstone of Chettinad’s broader cultural identity, which is characterised by opulent mansions, intricate woodwork, and ornate architecture. Many Chettinad mansions feature these tiles prominently in their courtyards and halls, creating a seamless blend of functionality and artistry.
Their global appeal has grown in recent years, with architects and designers incorporating them into international projects. From luxury villas in Europe to boutique resorts in Asia, Athangudi tiles are finding new homes and admirers worldwide.
Efforts to preserve this craft are gaining momentum, with initiatives aimed at documenting traditional methods and training the next generation of artisans. “The future of Athangudi tiles depends on passing down this knowledge while ensuring that the quality remains uncompromised,” says Senthil.
With their enduring beauty and cultural significance, Athangudi tiles continue to captivate the world, ensuring that the legacy of this age-old craft remains vibrant for generations to come.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; All images courtesy Athangudi Tile Palace
