HousesOfIndia Story 75 - Eclectic

Just an hour and a half outside of Pune is the small, peaceful, picturesque district of Girivan. Surrounded by luscious plants and vegetation, is a sprawling S-shaped house named 'Shikshangan'. This oasis of green belongs to Devika and Vijay, and their two daughters. Both the daughters are married and now live elsewhere. 

The family originally resided in Pune and bought the plot of land in Girivan in 2004. Devika, originally from Jabalpur, had grown up with an affinity towards nature, and had held the dream of buying this plot for a decade! Originally built as a teachers' training centre and then a farmhouse, 'Shikshangan' has been the family's permanent home for several years now. 

The house was even featured in a list of the 100 best contemporary houses in India in a book which is proudly displayed in their living room. This beautiful home truly takes your breath away, the more you look at it!

This home is truly a labour of love. Not only did the family have an active role in the designing process, they have also contributed to building parts of the house themselves and have carefully landscaped so that the view of the valley is not obstructed by growing trees. Devika and Vijay have both been academicians, and Kruttika, their daughter, has been an international chess player who has travelled all over the world for tournaments. The house is an eclectic mix of art, souvenirs, mementoes and furniture pieces from all the places they've visited in India and abroad.

Although life in Girivan, and a house as beautiful as this, seems idyllic, it was difficult for the family to get used to the very slow-paced life in a place like this. Right from having an efficient water supply system, to planning grocery shopping in a market that was far away, to having modern necessities like good phone connectivity and WiFi took time. However, even though their neighbourhood is sparsely populated, they now have a network of friends who help each other out. It is once you get away from the city that you realise what true community living is! 

The house seems to go on forever, mainly owing to its long 'S' shape and very high ceilings! All the rooms in the house - three bedrooms, a living room and an open kitchen seem to connect to each other flawlessly. They were constructed to all face north, so that view of the magnificent valley ahead could be enjoyed from every room. The rooms also have large windows and ventilators that fill them with natural night. Although the shape of the house is its outstanding feature, it had its own set of problems. One of them was that curvy curtain rods needed to be specifically designed to fit with the flow of the architecture!

The home is the perfect example of how to build a house that highlights the beauty of the natural resources and building practices in the area in which it is constructed. Roughly cut brick was sourced from a local kiln, instead of cement, stone slabs were used during construction, and the family was very particular about hiring labourers from the village surrounding their neighbourhood, and paying the men and women equally. These labourers also came with the knowledge of how to construct a sturdy house that fits in perfectly with the geography and climate of a place like Girivan.

While the interiors of the house are colourful and eclectic, where each picture frame, souvenir and piece of furniture has a story to tell, it is the exteriors that truly make this home outstanding. The house boasts of a big garden and even an amphitheatre! The garden is a delight to walk around in, with a big gulmohar tree that flowers every season, and newer plants like avocados.

Devika's parents were ardent fans of Indian classical music, and she has very fond memories of them hosting music concerts, or 'baithaks' in their home in Jabalpur. She wanted to bring a piece of that fond memory to her own home in Girivan, and everyone in the family loves to entertain, so a personal amphitheatre was an obvious choice! They have held around 10 concerts in this space since they have started living here.

Their home, is truly paradise!


This Photo Essay was made exclusively for Housing.com for their campaign 'Houses of India'.
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#HousesOfIndia Story 74 - Asif Ali Beg

It is rare to find a home that so effortlessly and accurately represents the personality of its owner. You take one look inside Asif Ali Beg's home, and it instantly welcomes you in with its warmth, just like Beg himself!

Beg is a theatre personality, film and television actor, and voice artist. He voiced the character of Edna "E" Mode in 'The Incredibles'​​ when it was dubbed in Hindi. More than just a bachelor pad, it's an artist's pad, as is evident by the countless books, movie posters and collectables in this cosy home in Parla, Mumbai. 

For Beg, his craft is his passion, and his passion is his craft. Every inch of his living area is covered in things that remind him and inspire him for this craft. Posters, books, collectables, toys adorn the wall alongside the several awards and trophies he's received for his exemplary work. 

Beg's home is in Parla, Mumbai and can be best described as 'micro living'. The entire home is a multi-purpose single room, divided into different sections. Even though the house may be considered small, Beg has done an amazing job of maximising the limited space in each area and adding his personal touches, so that the home looks warm and inviting. Beg has even painted some of the furniture himself!

Beg's home is unique in today's times. With one single room divided into sections and high ceilings, it is rare to find such architecture in Mumbai's more modern buildings. The foyer-like area right at the entrance, next to a huge window, ensures that the room is well lit during the day. One can imagine sitting here on a rainy day, sipping a cup of coffee and reading a book! The right wall of the foyer connects to the kitchen, which is small and efficient. 

The house is the perfect example of efficiency. The left wall of the kitchen serves as Beg's office area, and on the right is the living room, entertainment centre, library all rolled into one. The living room has a sofa that folds out into a double bed, and voila! It becomes the bedroom too. 

Beg has made his house into an oasis, away from the sights and relentless sounds of the big city. Surrounded by so much greenery, it is easy to forget that he lives in one of its busiest areas of Mumbai. 

Call it modest living, minimalism or micro living, Beg's home shows us what contentment looks like. He is truly content and is proud of his sacred space. The idea is not to have a big house and fill it with unnecessary things, but to have a small space with everything that one finds meaningful, beautiful and important. A one-room home should not be equated with a lack of material comfort. The space is so well-organised that it provides a sense of being home without compromising on the facilities that make a house a home. Beg and his home complement each other perfectly! 

This Photo Essay was made exclusively for Housing.com for their campaign 'Houses of India'.
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Help me continue bringing you untold stories through photos and films. Become my Patron. Follow the link: https://www.patreon.com/prashansa