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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#HousesOfIndia Story 68 - Mohan

A grand entrance, to a house with a grand legacy. Located in Garli, a heritage village in the foothills of Himachal is Mohan Niwas, named after the owner Rai Bahadur Mohan Lal. The title of Rai Bahadur was bestowed upon him for his philanthropic contributions to society. A man of great stature, he led a lavish existence with his family of two wives and eight children, in this mini-fortress of sorts which has 10 rooms spread over two floors. Adding to its fort-like look is the Rajasthani design gate with a high archway that was designed to allow the entry of camels into the aangans to disseminate supplies.

The house is more than a hundred years old. In the early 1890s, when its construction started, the only building material was the brick that was locally available. A look at the layout of the house and one finds that everything was foreseen, and planned really well for its time. The story goes that the architect of the house was probably a European because all the houses were designed by British architects of that time.

Meet the current owners, Atul & Ira Lal. Atul is the great grandson of Rai Bahadur Mohan Lal. Having spent most of childhood outside of the village as a corporate executive, he now wants to dedicate his retired life towards the economic upliftment of his village. As for his wife Ila, she runs a self-help group for women in her courtyard, where she gives them designs inspired by the history of the village. 

Leaving everything and coming back to the village was a rather impromptu decision. They were just sitting and talking one day when they asked themselves why they were in Delhi when they have such a lovely house to live in. With both their daughters settled and just a few years left to retire, they shifted lock, stock and barrel, a decision which they’re quite happy with. They’ve repaired the house in such a way that while the exteriors have an old-world look, the interiors have a more contemporary feel.

This Photo Essay was made exclusively for Housing.com for their campaign 'Houses of India'.

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#HousesOfIndia Story 67 - Pyaare

A quaint villa nestled in the heart of Goa speaks volumes of the labour of love and attention to detail that has gone into restoring it to its former glory. With almost two years of restoration work, the 100-year-old villa adapts to the tranquility of its surroundings with a peach facade that blends with the colour of the soil and use of laterite rock which is the natural rock from the area.

Meet Elizabeth - the proud owner of this gorgeous villa. A well-known designer of Bridal Wear in UK, Elizabeth chose to settle in the beachy town of Goa after much deliberation between Goa and Rajasthan. Tough choice we’d say. 

She lives here with her four dogs - Bruno, Baby, Paws and Nancy. Her son and two daughters visit her every now and then. Elizabeth recollects a heart-wrenching story dating back to the late 1800s, when a Sikh holy man picked up an 18-month old baby struck with leprosy from a dumpster, took care of him and named him ‘Pyaare’. It’s what led her to name her abode ‘Pyaare’. She has taken tremendous efforts to give this previously dilapidated house a new lease of life.

One finds an eclectic mix of different cultures in this villa. From Rajasthani handicrafts on the furniture, to the traditional Korean ‘hanbok’ hanging on the wall, to carefully curated paintings and sculptures by Indian and foreign artists. The bright shade of red in the aptly named ‘Red Room’ adds a Moulin Rouge-sque touch to the place. Old-world chandeliers, golden architraves, baroque mirrors, and glass candelabras further add to its regal aura.

The entrance of the house is serene and welcoming. A waterbody peppered with fragrant flowers stands in the middle of the foyer lending the place a sweet fragrance. A majestic gold gate with filigree work stays open, welcoming people to a sensorial experience that the house offers.

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

#HousesOfIndia Story 65 - Souvenir

The hustle and bustle of India Gate is left behind as one exists the busy roundabout onto Tilak Marg, in one of the most picturesque parts of Delhi. With its wide roads, open spaces and tiled walkways lined with trees, the area echoes the tone of Lutyens’ Delhi. A little ahead is the double-storeyed home of Ms Monika Kumar, who lives here with her husband and daughter. 

It was only a year ago that the family moved into this beautiful new house, in one of the most tranquil parts of central Delhi. Ms Kumar works in Noida and is a self-confessed handicrafts enthusiast. Her home has a careful curation of all the pieces she has collected during her travels.

The Kumars are blessed to live in the part of the country where a sprawling garden is not just a luxury! The moment you enter the huge gate leading to the house, you are greeted with a sea of green in their lawn. 

Dotted with dahlias, poppies, pansies and chrysanthemums, the carefully manicured garden is a sight for sore eyes. That’s not all. Ms Kumar also has an enviable collection of trees - jamun, amaltas and gulmohar!

The verandah outside the main door to the house is the perfect place to relax, kick back and catch up on your reading, with your cup of tea. Adorned with statues, stones and plants, this sitting area is perfect to enjoy a quiet moment on a breezy summer evening. 

From here, you get a peek into the Kumars’ living room through the large window at the front of the house. As one enters the living room, the auspicious Ram Durbar catches attention. Similarly, the southern side of the house is flanked by two elephants carved in stone, for good luck.

 While muted tones are the dominant theme in the house, they come alive with an occasional dash of colour. Diverse styles from across the world flow seamlessly into each other, be it the Tanjore paintings in the living area or the framed Iranian rug (a gift from Ms Kumar’s mother), or the painted plates from Europe and knick-knacks from Denmark and The Netherlands. Together they give a semblance of coherence, lending the house its unique flavour. 

This Photo Essay was made exclusively for Housing.com for their campaign 'Houses of India'.

#HousesOfIndia Story 62 - Kona

An oasis of ancient architectural styles amongst the apartment buildings of modern Delhi, 'Ashram House' is like a sight for sore eyes. The home is situated in Hari Nagar Ashram, very close to Nizamuddin, and belongs to Mr. MK Sharma, his wife, and their two sons.

The house is more than a 100 years old, and was built by Mr. Sharma's grandfather. The architecture style is typically ‘Hindu’ or ‘Indian’, as in it has a chowk (quadrangle) as soon as you enter. This central space is adorned with a tulsi plant in the middle, as is customary in many Hindu households.

The woodwork on the door is beautifully carved and the house itself does not have any modern features. For example, even the shelves are carved right into the wall.

Mr. Sharma and his family live a modest life in the middle of the bustling big city. He is a businessman and runs a small grocery store very close to his house. The house stands out in the middle of all the uniform apartment buildings that surround it, and it very close to Mr. Sharma's heart. He says, "Jahaan pariwar wale ho, wohi kona sabse accha kona ghar ka". We couldn't agree more!

This Photo Essay was made exclusively for Housing.com for their campaign 'Houses of India'.

#HousesOfIndia Story 61 - Raste

Pune, known for the dynasty of the Peshwas, is also associated with a unique architectural style, the Wada. Many Wadas were built during the Peshwa era - Raste Wada is one such grand structure from the Peshwa era.

It is the oldest privately owned Wada in Pune, and is currently occupied by Mr. Kumar Raste, his son Madhav and their family.

The home was built between 1779 and 1784 for Rs. 9 lakh by Anandrao Bhikaji Raste, the Peshwa cavalry's commander-in-chief and founder of Rasta Peth (formerly Shivpuri Peth). Mr. Kumar and his son are the 9th and 10th generation living in the house.

Raste Wada is one of the largest Wadas still surviving in modern day Pune. Mr. Raste’s son is an agriculturalist (“just a fancy word for a farmer”, he says!). 

Located in Rasta Peth (formerly Shivpuri Peth), the historical significance of the Raste Wada in the city of Pune in undeniable. Its total area covers 5 acres, while the house itself is 11,000 sq. mt.

It has 5 stories, is surrounded by a thick wall, two quadrangular open spaces and several halls and rooms. The gateway holds a two-storeyed structure and is of heavy woodwork. The main entrance is marked by an austere yet imposing gateway with massive woodwork, upholding a two-storeyed structure.

The family in undeniably proud of their heritage and the historical significance the home holds for them. What they demand from the government is to “Sensitise people about the importance of conserving the heritage of the house, as well as the privacy of the people living in the house.” They also want lesser restrictions in maintaining the house as the current heritage laws allow only certain renovations of a heritage structure (heritage houses have definite rules about materials that can be used to renovate it). They are not looking for financial help, they want to clarify. “It is our pride that we are maintaining this house”, says Mr. Kumar Raste.

This Photo Essay was made exclusively for Housing.com for their campaign 'Houses of India'.

#HousesOfIndia Story 18 - Heritage

This heritage house in Old Ahmedabad in Gujarat, is testament to around 200 years of history, and the journey of the Mehta family, who painstakingly restored it to its former glory.

A 'pol' pronounced like pole in Gujarati, is a housing cluster comprising many families of a particular group, linked by caste, profession, or religion. This beautiful home, is one such housing complex.

The Mehta family lives in this beautiful home - Mr. Jagdeep, his wife, their 3 children, and his parents. The house is more than 200 years old, and was in a dilapidated condition until the family restored it to its past glory in the early 2000s. But this journey, was not easy. It took almost 2 years to restore the house, and it was proving to be a financial burden on them since no banks were willing to give them loans because the condition of the house was so bad.

As soon as you enter the house, you walk into courtyard, also known as the 'chowk'. The family receives guests here, and it also doubles up as their living room, where they spend time after dinner. The chowk is surrounded by a walkway that connects to all the rooms of the house. This walkway is called the 'padari'. During festivals, the chowk is decorated with beautiful rangoli.

The entire Mehta family is artistically inclined. Mausam and Malka, twin sisters, are doing their PHDs in spiritual music and 'bhavai' (a genre of folk dance popular in Gujarat & Rajasthan) respectively. Mr. Mehta, who works in a power company, also has a musical orchestra.

Along with vintage handmade furniture, the house is also full of interesting artefacts that would be very difficult to find today; like the ancient steaming machine in the picture, which is used to keep the water warm while shaving!

The house is now a favourite of local and national film makers, and has made an appearance in several television shows and films, the latest one being Kai Po Che, which was shot on the terrace!

After several months of trying to get the renovation started on the house, and dealing with uncooperative bank officials, it started off with a bang once people realised its historical significance. An expert in Italian art history, Mr Pierre Cardiff flew in from France and educated the family on the Italian carvings found on the ceiling, the Belgian painted glass windows and lamp holders, the earthquake resistant structure of the house, and so on. For years, the same house that was in ruins, was actually a treasure trove of old interior design from all around the world!

Students from institutions like NID and IIM, and even art students from foreign universities, visit the house and spend days on end studying the architecture and design. Recently, the Mehtas also hosted the mayor of Ahmedabad in their home.

During summers when the schools are closed, the neighbourhood children come to this chowk for dance lessons conducted by Malka, and drawing lessons held by Mausam, Mr. Mehta's twin daughters. 

Under the Gujarat tourism scheme, the family has also been approached to turn the house into a homestay, so travellers get an opportunity to live in an authentic Gujarati house!

This Photo Essay was made exclusively for Housing.com for their campaign 'Houses of India'.

#HousesOfIndia Story 57 - Zito

Casa Miguel Vincente dÁbreu, built in 1843, is located in Panjim, Goa. It is occupied by Mr. Jose Maria de Gouveia Pinto (aka Zito), 69 years old; his wife Marie Christine de Gouveia Pinto, a housewife; daughter Karina, and son Julian.

In 1817 there was a plague in old Goa. The houses in that area were broken and the materials from there were transported to the current location to build newer houses. Hence, the stone used for the staircase of the house is very rare (they used to be found only in old churches). The stone comes from Bhasin (present day Vasai) to Goa. 

The first word that comes to your mind when you enter this home is simply 'Wow!'. Casa Miguel is a treasure trove of artefacts, antiques and memories from the yester-years.

Everything from the floor to the furniture are made of high-quality antique wood. The furniture has intricate designs and carvings, which would be nearly impossible to find now.

Mr. Zito himself is also a well-known history buff and renowned in the community for his love and knowledge of the history of Goa.

Mr. Zito’s ancestor Miguel Vincente d’Abreu was a prolific researcher and writer, and despite the bureaucratic position he held in the government, he had time to leave for posterity, a rich legacy of publications which even today serve as a base for the study of history and governance of Goa, in particular in the 19th century.

In the words of Mr Zito, “Ours was a middle-class family, although we did belong to a gentry family at the time. The house and the family maintained themselves with the income from the properties. With the takeover of Goa by the Govt. of India (in 1961) and with the new socialist laws brought about by the new dispensation, the maintenance of such families became difficult and the additional income coming from the properties was turned into nothing with the result that the family had to maintain themselves from their salaries as employees of private firms, banks or government offices. It is also extremely difficult to maintain such houses with our meagre incomes, and with no help from the government to maintain Goan heritage houses or areas, these breed of people and heritage is almost forgotten.”

This Photo Essay was made exclusively for Housing.com for their campaign 'Houses of India'.