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Athangudi Tiles: India’s Very Own Eco-Friendly Flooring

The Chettinadu region is famous for its rich art and architecture, which are reflected in its opulent mansions embellished with teak and marble furnishings, large copper utensils, and centuries-old customs. A striking feature of Chettinadu bungalows is the colourful and beautifully crafted floor tiles.

The Athangudi tile gets its name from the village where it is made, Athangudi, in the Sivagangai District. These tiles are handcrafted using age-old techniques and made from locally available materials like sand, cement, and natural oxides. The colours and patterns used in the tiles are also distinct. Most tiles include standard colours like yellow, mustard, green, grey, blue, and red and geometric or floral patterns that, when arranged thoughtfully, can magically transform any space.

It is believed that tile-making developed as a cottage industry in Athangudi under the guidance of the Chettiar traders, who found it difficult and expensive to replace Japanese tiles that were initially used in their mansions.

Athangudi tiles are like any cement tiles, like mosaic, but they are handmade on glass surfaces instead of being machine pressed. Traditional artisans still use centuries-old iron designed frames as stencils to create different motifs. Also, unlike ceramic tiles baked in a kiln, these tiles are water-cured and dried under the sun with husks to soak up the excess moisture.

The sand used for the tile must be sieved before being mixed with the colour pigment and cement. The mixture is then sieved again to ensure a fine texture.

Water curing also makes the tile prone to damage, requiring precision to unmould it from the glass. Finally, the tiles are rubbed against the edges for a smooth and glossy finish. The entire process is labour intensive and takes 20-40 days.

Athangudi tiles add a timeless appeal to your flooring. Every tile is made to order and dispatched as soon as possible because if stored for long, the tile loses its shine, and the edges of the tile lose colour compared to the centre.

The geometric and floral prints can be customised to match your décor. In fact, our suppliers encourage clients to bring new ideas as it inspires them to create new moulds and dynamize their craft. Also, like fine wine, these tiles become shinier over time. Unlike ceramic tiles that become dull with regular use, Athangudi tiles are designed for full-blown use. That is why we recommend using these tiles for heavy-traffic areas in your home.

Athangudi tiles are handmade using natural, available local ingredients. Water curing prevents the use of fuel, making it eco-friendly and sustainable.