Athangudi Tiles: History, Designs, Modern Styles & Athangudi Tiles Price Guide (2026)

About Future Stiles Future Stiles is a relatively new player in the tile industry, but it has quickly gained recognition for its innovative and modern designs. The brand focuses on merging cutting-edge technology with artistic craftsmanship to create unique and visually appealing tiles. Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Latest Post Athangudi Tiles – History, Price, Designs & Modern Athangudi Tiles India’s most exquisitely crafted hand-made tiles, Athangudi tiles, display exceptional artistry, colour, and intricate design. Over time, many different artistic styles have flourished, but today, we focus on tiles made from the Chettinad district, Athangudi village, located in the southern Indian state, Tamil Nadu. For centuries, palaces, temples, and homes have utilized the artistic skills of craftsmen from the region, allowing their tiles to earn their right to be called masterpieces.         Modern Athangudi tiles still retain their original style via their design, while meeting the demands of today by using an ecologically sound manufacturing process; their design incorporates colour and geometric patterns, all the while being extremely durable. This guide will detail contemporary Athangudi tiles, their styles and designs, pricing, and of course, their history. Don’t Wait to Impress – Connect with Us for Stylish Athangudi Tiles Have Questions? We Have Answers. Let’s Connect Click Here What Are Athangudi Tiles? In Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu’s Chettinad region, lies the small village of Athangudi, known for its production of Athangudi tiles, which are handcrafted decorative tiles. Athangudi tiles consist of sand, cement, and natural colors, and are made by placing molds and glass plates on a mixture to create a smooth and glossy finish. Each Athangudi tile is made using only traditional, age-old techniques. Whereas modern day ceramic tiles are made by machines, these tiles do not see a single machine during the production process. Each tile is made by hand, and is therefore different and even more impressive. Additionally, no kilns are used in the production process. This makes the process of making these tiles sun-dried, which is a great alternative of making tiles in a more environmentally harmful and energy-consuming way. In modern design and decor, Athangudi tiles are a great way to achieve a vintage or retro aesthetic, and are therefore used in: Courtyards and verandas Flooring in traditional homes Heritage buildings Boutique hotels and resorts Contemporary interiors with a vintage or retro touch Their aesthetic and artistic finish and cement use in the production process. Download Catalogue Athangudi Tiles History Over five centuries, the making of the Athangudi tiles has developed along with the ancient architectural legacy of the Chettinad area of Tamil Nadu, South India, making it one of the oldest, if not the oldest, Indian tile making traditions. The Beginning of the Chettinad Tiles The Chettinad region was, and to an extent still is, the home of the Chettiar traders, an ethnoreligious group of people with a documented history of being wealthy and connected traders throughout Southeastern Asia. Because of their settlements there, the Chettinad region is dotted with lavishly constructed mansions. The merchants also needed special tiles to beautify their interiors. At first, Chettinad received many tiles from European and Japanese countries. However, a significant number of the tiles, due to their fragility, arrived broken. This state of affairs stimulated a tile-making market in the Athangudi village, which from then on began the unique production of Athangudi tiles. Popularity and Spread of the Craft The spread of the tile-making industry in the Athangudi village was very rapid. It led to a phenomenon where all, or at least most, of the families in the village recruited the service of their children to pass it on to the next generation. At the present time, most of the tile making factories still practice their artisanal production and still do it in a style that was traditional to the time of their founding. The tiles soon became a defining element of Chettinad architecture and were widely used in: Heritage mansions Temples Public buildings Traditional houses Their popularity gradually spread across India and even internationally. How Athangudi Tiles Are Made Athangudi tiles are produced using a complicated and extensive process involving many steps and skilled labour. Step 1: The Frame An iron mod frame is laid on top of a glass sheet. The glass sheet will give the tile a nice glass finish. Step 2: The Pattern The coloured pigment is poured into the frame to make a geometric or floral design. Step 3: The Concrete A mixture of cement, sand, and water is poured over the pigment. Step 4: The Set The tile will set for a few minutes and the frame must be removed carefully. Step 5: The Sun Tiles are not fired in a kiln; instead, they are put in the sun to dry. Step 6: The Polish Tiles are polished to finish the process. This process is done by hand, and so each tile is unique. Athangudi Tiles Designs A major reason people are drawn to Athangudi tiles is the dizzying number of designs available. These tiles are known for their bright and varied designs, ranging from simple geometric shapes to complex and intricate traditional designs. Some of the most common designs of Athangudi tiles include: Geometric Shapes Of all the possible designs available, geometric shapes are the most used. You may commonly find geometrical designs such as squares, diamonds, and stars, arranged in an intricate and symmetrical fashion. Floral Patterns From nature, and particularly the world of botany, the floral pattern is perhaps the most used in Athangudi tiles. You can find floral designs of decorated borders as well as leaves. Chettinad Traditional Patterns The region of Chettinad is known for bold patterns and symmetrical arrangements. Athangudi tiles feature many such designs, and generally pay homage to the heritage of that particular region. Border Designs Athangudi tiles are often used with decorative borders to frame flooring areas. Personalised Arrangements Artisans can also create arrangements based on how customers would like their tiles to be. Some of the most common color