National, March 19, 2026: THE Lotus Palace Chettinad, a luxury heritage hotel by Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited will host ‘Kalai’, the Chettinad Art and Architecture Festival, a 4-day, 3-night immersive celebration of the artistic legacy of Chettinad from 3rd to 6th April 2026.
Curated by THE Lotus Palace Chettinad in collaboration with Chettinad’s most iconic heritage properties – The Bangala, Visalam, Chidambara Vilas, Chettinad Mansion and Saratha Vilas – Kalai will offer guests a journey through architecture, culture, art, history, food, and living heritage through a thoughtfully curated set of experiences.
Kalai will unfold across centuries, old Chettiar mansions, sacred temples, and vibrant craft ateliers of Chettinad, offering an intimate encounter with one of India’s most distinctive architectural legacies that celebrates a confluence of global influences and aesthetics.
Across four days, guests will traverse grand courtyards and ornate mansions to temple architecture, alongside conversations with leading conservation voices and immersive village walks.
Kalai will be more than just a festival; it will be a curated passage through space, structure, and story where art, architecture, and time will converge to offer a rare, layered perspective on heritage that continues to evolve.
Four Days of Architecture, Art & Legacy
Festival Highlights
Stays in restored heritage mansions
Expert-led architectural tours
Talks by eminent conservation architects:
- Sujatha Shankar
A highly respected architect with over four decades of professional practice, she is known for her deep commitment to heritage and contextual design. Her extensive portfolio spans architecture, planning, and interior design across projects of varied typologies and scales.
- Sashikala Ananth
Sashikala Ananth is a senior architect with over three decades of research into Vastu, the classical Indian science of architecture. Through her work, she has studied and interpreted the traditional principles of spatial harmony, orientation, and design embedded within India’s architectural heritage.
- Pradeep Chakravarthy
A historian and author whose research explore temples, inscriptions, and cultural
history of South India. Known for his engaging lectures and writing, he brings scholarly insight and compelling storytelling to the study of India’s architectural and cultural heritage.
Cultural evenings with live traditional performances
Authentic Chettinad culinary experiences
Seamless centralized coordination by THE Lotus Palace Chettinad
About Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited:
Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) is a leading player in the hospitality sector renowned for its upscale properties and diverse F&B offerings. Since its inception in 1967, with the opening of its first property in Kolkata under the renowned brand “THE PARK,” the Company has expanded its pan-India presence, operating 39 hotels and a growing portfolio of owned, leased, and managed properties under five distinct brands: THE PARK, THE PARK Collection, Zone by The Park, Zone Connect by The Park, and Stop by Zone. These brands are known for their upscale and upper mid-scale categories, symbolizing excellence in hospitality.
Alongside its core hospitality offerings, ASPHL has a diverse portfolio in food and beverage (F&B) and entertainment, with restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. The Company also has a well-established footprint in the retail food and beverage sector through its iconic retail brand ‘Flurys,’ which includes a broad network of 105 outlets featuring various formats including kiosks, cafes, and restaurants. Moreover, the Company’s portfolio includes nightclubs and entertainment options, enhancing its brand positioning and enabling synergistic cross-selling opportunities.
ASPHL is listed on the BSE Ltd (BSE) (Code: PARKHOTELS/544111) and National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. (NSE) (Symbol: PARKHOTELS) in India.
