The Chettiyar community in Tamil Nadu were pioneers. A savvy, smart community of money lenders, they ventured on ships to Burma, Singapore for trips that lasted many years, in search of further growing their wealth. Culturally rich as well, they were deeply impressioned by European and Asian traders and in exchange for spices they brought back Japanese tiles, Belgian Chandeliers etc. Exposed by their extensive travels, they also became self taught architects who aspired to also live like the royalty back home whom they were close to. The results of these endeavours were large Mansions that were architecturally a blend of various Western and Asian styles that were prevalent between the late 1800s and early 1900s. The majority of these mansions are now neglected, dotted along the quaint villages of modern day Chettinad.

Each mansion has a Mogappu or face of the home that were large entrance portals to the internal courtyards and rooms. PORTE GRACE presents 16 versions of these portals, showcasing their architectural dexterity and the uniqueness of an era we now try to recollect. Each of the 16 photographs come in editions of 3, photographed by Amar RAMESH, who lives in Chennai.