A new private museum called Pettagam has opened in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu.
It is India’s first museum solely for Chettinad jewellery, displaying rare pieces and motifs.
Designer Meenu Subbiah founded it to document craftsmanship and layered history.
Why “Pettagam”?
“Pettagam” refers to the iron vault once common in Chettiars’ homes.
These vaults stored valuables, jewellery — central to identity and tradition.
Exhibits & Experience
The museum spans two floors and combines multimedia narration with physical displays.
Visitors see the birth of Chettinad jewellery, including origin stories and early motifs.
One unexpected motif: the crab. It symbolises safe sea trade via the “crab route.”
Research & Revelation
Subbiah’s team spent 20 years researching Chettinad jewellery tradition.
They distilled a 50,000-word manuscript into immersive visual stories.
Through study, she discovered many motifs’ deeper symbolic meanings.
Purpose & Future
Pettagam aims to raise awareness about jewellery’s heritage, not just aesthetics.
It hopes to inspire similar heritage-celebrating projects elsewhere.
Opening to public: first week of October 2025.
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