Pettagam transforms centuries of heritage into an immersive, multi-sensory journey of gems, stories, and symbolism.
Chettinad’s jewels have always carried more than just ornamental value—they are fragments of history, mythology, and trade woven into gold and gemstone. Their earliest reference can be traced back to the Tamil epic Silappatikaram, where a ruby-studded anklet altered the fate of Madurai’s king. For centuries, the mercantile Chettiar community travelled the world, returning with rare stones that became part of the region’s distinctive jewellery tradition.
Despite this rich heritage, the story of Chettinad jewellery was never told with the depth it deserved. While its mansions, textiles, and cuisine are well documented, the jewellery remained a scattered narrative. Designer and researcher Meenu Subbiah decided to change that. After decades of work blending Chettinad aesthetics with contemporary design and compiling over 20 years of research into a manuscript, she realised a book alone wasn’t enough. The idea of an experience—a space where history and artistry could come alive—took root.
That idea became Pettagam, India’s first private museum dedicated to Chettinad jewellery. Its name is drawn from the traditional iron vaults in Chettiar homes, where treasures were safeguarded for generations.
Spread across two floors in Karaikudi, the cultural capital of the region, the museum offers a multimedia exploration of Chettinad jewellery—its origins, craftsmanship, and the deep symbolism behind its motifs. One discovery Subbiah highlights is the crab design often seen in traditional ornaments. Long believed to be stylised fingers, the motif actually represents the crab route followed by Chettiar seafarers, a symbol of gratitude for safe voyages and prosperous trade.
Condensing a 50,000-word manuscript into an interactive experience was no easy feat, but Pettagam is more than a display—it is a treasury of stories, each piece revealing how jewellery became both a cultural marker and a spiritual offering.
As it opens to the public this October, Pettagam stands not only as a celebration of the Chettiar community’s legacy but also as an invitation for visitors to reflect on heritage, carry its values forward, and imagine how other regions might preserve their jewellery traditions in a similar way.
For more details, guests can write to concierge@meenusubbiah.luxe or call +91 95665 03736.