Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels announced that its luxury heritage property, THE Lotus Palace Chettinad, will host the ‘Kalai’ – the Chettinad Art and Architecture Festival. This 4-day, 3-night immersive celebration will run from 3rd to 6th April 2026. The festival is curated in collaboration with several iconic Chettinad heritage properties and promises deep dives into the region’s architecture, culture, art, and culinary legacy.
Luxury Heritage Hotel Hosts Major Festival
Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited is pleased to announce that THE Lotus Palace Chettinad, its luxury heritage hotel, will host ‘Kalai’ – the Chettinad Art and Architecture Festival. This significant event is scheduled to take place over 4 days and 3 nights, from 3rd to 6th April 2026, offering an immersive celebration of the artistic legacy of Chettinad, Tamil Nadu.
Curated Collaborative Experience
The festival has been thoughtfully curated in collaboration with several of Chettinad’s most distinguished heritage properties, including The Bangala, Visalam, Chidambara Vilas, Chettinad Mansion, and Saratha Vilas. Guests will embark on a journey exploring architecture, culture, art, history, food, and the living heritage of the region.
Kalai aims to unfold across centuries-old Chettiar mansions, sacred temples, and vibrant craft ateliers. The experience is designed to be more than just a festival, offering a curated passage through space, structure, and story, showcasing the confluence of global influences on this distinctive architectural legacy.
Festival Highlights: Four Days of Architecture, Art & Legacy
The itinerary focuses on deep engagement with heritage and architecture. Key highlights include:
- Stays in restored heritage mansions.
- Expert-led architectural tours.
- Talks by eminent conservation architects.
- Cultural evenings featuring live traditional performances.
- Authentic Chettinad culinary experiences.
Featured Eminent Speakers
The event will feature insights from leading experts in heritage and architecture:
• Sujatha Shankar: A highly respected architect with over four decades of professional practice, known for her commitment to heritage and contextual design.
• Sashikala Ananth: A senior architect with over three decades of research into Vastu, the classical Indian science of architecture, focusing on spatial harmony and traditional principles.
• Pradeep Chakravarthy: A historian and author whose research focuses on temples, inscriptions, and the cultural history of South India, offering scholarly insight into the region’s heritage.
About the Company
Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) is a leading hospitality player, operating 39 hotels across India under five brands: THE PARK, THE PARK Collection, Zone by The Park, Zone Connect by The Park, and Stop by Zone. Beyond hospitality, ASPHL maintains a diverse portfolio in food and beverage (F&B) and entertainment, including the iconic retail brand ‘Flurys’, which operates 105 outlets.
Source: BSE
