The ‘pettagam’ was essential in the ‘kittangi’ (Chettiar shophouse) for storing business documents, cash, accounts and personal belongings. The ‘kaipeti’ (hand-held box), ‘mejai peti’ (table box with slanted top) and the cotton bed roller for sleeping would be placed on top of the pettagam when the Chettiars closed the shop at the end of the day.
