The mutram: how courtyards shaped Chettinad's grand mansions

Chettinad's mansions, built by the Nattukottai Chettiar banking community, centred on courtyards called mutram. The open-to-sky courts drew hot air out, pulled cool air in, brought daylight deep inside and channelled rainwater for collection. A sequence of courts balanced public gatherings with family privacy, while Burmese teak, Italian marble and Belgian glass displayed the families' wealth.