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India Today
19-05-2025
- General
- India Today
Past perfect: The return of the heritage home
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today Home issue dated May 2025)If walls could speak, a Rajasthani haveli or a Chettinad house would read like a palimpsest, layer upon layer of memories accumulated over many generations. Today, even as modern high-rises and cookie-cutter villas reshape our social and urban fabric, heritage homes, whether period structures or new builds inspired by traditional typologies, continue to captivate architects and homeowners drawn by the allure of a slower, simpler, and more meaningful way of life. From the Kath-Khuni style of building in the western Himalayas to the evocative Indo-Portuguese influences that inform the design of Goan houses, we shine a spotlight on the enduring legacy of heritage residential architecture across the A BLANK SLATEThe Kath-Khuni building, popular in the north Indian hills, is a response to the region's climate and seismic activity. Deep stone plinths provide a solid base, projecting wooden balconies invite you to soak in panoramic views, and slate tile-covered roofs offer protection against heavy rains. 'Kath-Khuni architecture is not just an engineering style. It's a heartfelt expression of harmony between human ingenuity and the natural world,' notes Jay Thakkar, a senior associate professor at the Faculty of Design and co-founder of Design Innovation and Craft Resource Centre at CEPT University, Ahmedabad. 'Originating from Himachal Pradesh, it has a sustainable approach and deep-rooted cultural significance,' he shares. Thakkar calls them 'living entities' that adapt to the rhythms of life and nature around them. CLASSIC CHIC: Casa Caisua in Goa by Raya Shankhwalker Architects advertisementA COASTAL SURPRISEGoan architecture is often mistakenly identified as purely Indo-Portuguese. 'The two must not be conflated,' says architect Raya Shankhwalker of Goa-based Raya Shankhwalker Architects. Shankhwalker shares that Goa has rich and evolved building traditions that predate the Portuguese-era. 'The central courtyard is the defining feature of the pre-Portuguese era homes, an adaptation to the region's hot, humid climate,' he explains.A good example of Goan architecture style is Casa Caisua in Anjuna, Goa. The home was built by his maternal grandfather in the early 1900s. Now a guesthouse, the conversion accommodated key changes, executed while preserving the original facade. Internally, the characteristic high ceiling was retained, with only a discreet loft added above the washroom for added storage. The old walls have been restored to their pristine glory, complemented by an earthy and locally sourced material palette comprising laterite, polished cement floors, timber, and Goa, we head to Pondicherry, where Shankhwalker is currently restoring a Franco-Tamil villa, a style born in the 17th and 18th centuries. 'We've taken pains to restore the Madras roof, which is a defining feature of this type. We've also removed a room extension to restore the full splendour of the original pillared portico,' he A Nalukettu home by Temple Town (left); The Light House by SJK Architects (top right); reinterpretation of a Manduva house by 23 Degrees Design Shift (bottom right) SLOPING TOWARDS SUCCESSThe traditional Manduva Logili house has predominated the architecture of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for centuries. Now mostly relegated to villages, this inward-facing house type is deeply responsive to the local climate, with thick walls made of mud wattle, shaded verandahs, and sloping red-tiled roofs. The heart of the home is the courtyard where the family gathers, rituals unfold, and the house breathes.'Growing up in Telangana, I've always admired Manduva houses. The serene courtyards, sloping roofs, the earthy scent of timber and stone—they call for a slower, more grounded way of life,' says Neelesh Kumar, co-founder and partner at Hyderabad-based studio, 23 Degrees Design Shift. 'So when we were approached to transform a small farmhouse into a home for an extended family, the Manduva felt like a natural starting point. It allowed us to anchor the design in something familiar, while still giving us the freedom to reinterpret it for contemporary living.'advertisementRather than replicating the traditionally compact layout of a Manduva, where the courtyard is tightly enclosed, the volumes at the Courtyard House are gently spaced out. This allows the house to breathe, inviting light and breeze while softening transitions between the public and private GOOD DESIGN SECOND COMING: SJK architects have reimagined a typical haveli (top left and right); a contemporary Manduva-style home in Nagpur by 23 Degrees Design Shift (below left and right) In Nagpur, The Light House by SJK Architects derives inspiration from havelis, large residences with communal courtyards (chowks), projecting balconies (jharokhas), and intricate brick or stone lattice screens (jaalis), vernacular to many western and northern regions of climate-responsive dwellings, along with the timber-based Wada residential architecture, more predominant in Maharashtra, served as an inspiration for the design of the house.'The clients, a multigenerational family, held a deep nostalgia for havelis. Considering this and the regional context of Maharashtra's wada architecture, we devised an eight-foot wide linear atrium that slices through the centre, with its proportions derived from detailed studies of scale and sun movement throughout the seasons,' says Vaishali Mangalvedhekar, Partner at Mumbai-based SJK third of the balcony area is customised into contemporary jharokhas in varying configurations across the levels, creating a dynamic look. 'Much like the traditional jaalis of havelis, the lattices are also an essential climate control device that temper harsh sunlight, facilitate airflow, and serve as a rain buffer,' explains WITH THE PASTFurther south, in the vibrant city of Thrissur, Meera Pyarelal's interior design practice Temple Town has reimagined the interiors of an ancestral Nalukettu home. With its symmetrical grid plan enclosing a central courtyard, distinctive clay-tiled roof, and gabled windows, a Nalukettu home (nalu meaning four and kettu meaning halls) has all the ingredients to protect it from Kerala's oppressive hot and humid weather and heavy monsoon rains.'Having spent most of their lives abroad, the clients—three generations of a family—yearned for a home that would reconnect them to their roots in Kerala. It needed to hold space for family functions around the courtyard, like in bygone days, encouraging a return to a slower, more intentional way of life,' says Pyarelal. 'We used recycled and reclaimed wood. The furniture was exclusively custom-made using responsibly sourced teak at Temple Town. A memorable challenge was collecting every window from Karaikudi, Chettinad, well before the construction commenced. We painstakingly put them together despite the complexities posed by their different shapes and sizes.'advertisementPyarelal attributes the renewed interest in heritage homes to a broader shift in lifestyle and values. Thakkar, who's authored books on Kath-Khuni architecture, echoes her sentiment, though with a degree of caution, particularly regarding the growing preference for RCC construction in the hills. 'There seems to be a gentle shift happening, more of a slow reawakening than a complete revival. People are starting to notice and reflect on things more, asking questions, but it's really uneven,' he says. 'In some villages, traditional methods still guide temple restorations, led by rituals and master builders. These community-led projects are the truest forms of revival—not a fleeting trend but part of an ongoing continuity. It might be gradual, but it feels deeply significant.'—Kushagra Sharma is an architect and Associate Editorial Director at Epistle, a communications consultancy headquartered in Delhi. to India Today Magazine
India Today
16-05-2025
- General
- India Today
Heritage makes a comeback
If walls could speak, a Rajasthani haveli or a Chettinad house would read like a palimpsest, layer upon layer of memories accumulated over many generations. Today, even as modern high-rises and cookie-cutter villas reshape our social and urban fabric, heritage homes, whether period structures or new builds inspired by traditional typologies, continue to captivate architects and homeowners drawn by the allure of a slower, simpler, and more meaningful way of life. From the Kath-Khuni style of building in the western Himalayas to the evocative Indo-Portuguese influences that inform the design of Goan houses, we shine a spotlight on the enduring legacy of heritage residential architecture across the country.
News18
05-05-2025
- News18
Summer Escapes: 5 Luxurious Getaways in India for the Perfect Holiday
Last Updated: From the beachside luxury of Goa to the royal history of Udaipur, and the peace of the Ladakh mountains, India presents an ideal summer luxury escape India is home to the most luxurious sights with stunning scenery, top-rated hotels, and memories to last a lifetime. Whether you're looking for a beachside retreat, a royal palace stay, or a scenic mountain escape, these destinations promise a lavish holiday filled with comfort, adventure, and exclusivity. People tend to think of Goa as a winter holiday, yet it has its appeal in the summer if you know where to go. Starlit sky private beach dinners, yacht parties, all done in the style–and luxury gaming for which they are famous. The summer season is tranquil, so you have the opportunity to enjoy some of Goa's best offerings between guests, without any hustle and bustle. With poolside brunches, private sunset yacht cruises, and wellness retreats at some of the most glamorous hotels, Goa is the ideal destination for a decadent summer holiday. Where to Stay: advetisement • Deltin Suites – A luxury offering, combining modern sophistication with the comforts of home. Guests can also visit Deltin Royale, a floating luxury entertainment destination, to enjoy live performances, fine dining, and premium gaming facilities. • The Leela Goa – A grand beachfront resort with a sense of privacy and villa living, personal butler service, and an ambiance of serenity and grandeur. • ITC Grand Goa – A grand, Indo-Portuguese style, hotel with views of lagoons and a five-star spa. Best Time to Visit: March to September when beaches are less busy, and luxury properties provide special rates for the summer. Shillong – A Refreshing Green Escape Shillong is a serene city, green city in the Northeast. You can visit waterfalls, take a boat on Umiam Lake, or go shopping at local markets. It is often cool and comfortable weather so it's a good change from living in a big city. Those who appreciate music can go for the cafes that feature live performances and those who value the tranquillity of nature can go for a drive up to Cherrapunji or Mawlynnong, Asia's cleanest village. Where to Stay: • Ri Kynjai Resort – A lakeside resort with a peaceful environment. • Vivanta Meghalaya, Shillong – A business hotel with good service. • Polo Orchid Resort – A scenic stay near waterfalls. Best Time to Visit: May to September, when the hills are at their greenest, and the weather is refreshing. Ladakh – Mountains and Peaceful Getaways Ladakh is an excellent place to visit if you are a nature and mountain person. You can visit Pangong Lake, go to monasteries, or take a bike ride in the valleys. Due to the weather and high-altitude scenery, it is a unique experience. A ride through the Nubra Valley or a trip to Magnetic Hill is an added experience. There are a great number of excellent hotels and camps as well, with the comfort in this hilly area. Advertisement Where to Stay: • The Grand Dragon Ladakh – A cozy hotel with all modern amenities. • Chamba Camp, Thiksey – One of the most luxurious camping options ever with stunning views. • Ladakh Sarai Resort – A serene location to stay with cozy cottages. Best Time to Visit: June to September, when the roads are open, the weather is clear, and adventure sports are at their best. Udaipur – A Royal Summer Retreat Udaipur, the City of Lakes, is a scenic summer adventure that you can experience by taking the right kind of activity. Imagine spending a vacation in a heritage palace, a boat ride at golden hour, and having a private candlelight dinner under the stars at Lake Pichola. With its royal charm, Udaipur offers a luxury experience like no other. Where to Stay: • The Oberoi Udaivilas – A palace-inspired hotel with a lake-side resort. advetisement • Taj Lake Palace A hotel built in the middle of the lake. • RAAS Devigarh – A heritage fort-turned-hotel with good hospitality. Best Time to Visit: July to October, when the lake breeze is a summer enchantment. Darjeeling – A Cozy Summer Retreat in the Hills Darjeeling is an ideal spot for a peaceful holiday in the hills. You can take a ride on the Toy Train, go to tea gardens, or see the sunrise from Tiger Hill. The town has a combination of British houses, postcard views and good food. Enjoy a hot cup of locally grown Darjeeling tea at one of the tea gardens or go to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute to learn about mountaineering heroes. Where to Stay: • Glenburn Tea Estate – A tea plantation stays with a homey setting. advetisement • Mayfair Darjeeling – A good hotel with mountain views. • The Elgin, Darjeeling- A heritage hotel in classic old-world style. top videos View All Best Time to Visit: March to May, when the weather is clear, and you get the best views of the Kanchenjunga peaks. All these places represent a combination of nature, history, and excellent hospitality. From the beachside luxury of Goa to the royal history of Udaipur, and the peace of the Ladakh mountains, India presents an ideal summer luxury escape. There's no better time than now, to organize your trip, enjoy luxury, and this year will be a memory maker! The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 05, 2025, 18:09 IST News lifestyle » travel Summer Escapes: 5 Luxurious Getaways in India for the Perfect Holiday
News18
04-05-2025
- News18
Unconventional Escapes for the Unstoppable Mom: 6 Retreats that Redefine Mother's Day
Last Updated: Mother's Day 2025: From tranquil forests to heritage homes and coastal hideaways, these destinations offers a deeply personal, transformative experience that honors who she is This Mother's Day, move beyond the usual brunches and bouquets. Celebrate the multifaceted spirit of motherhood with a curated list of retreats that speak to every kind of mom, the seeker, the wanderer, the wellness devotee, the culture lover. From tranquil forests to heritage homes and coastal hideaways, these destinations are far from formulaic. Each offers a deeply personal, transformative experience that honors who she is — not just what she does. Aamaghati Wildlife Resort, Ranthambore Located near Ranthambore National Park, Aamaghati offers a front-row seat to one of India's most celebrated tiger reserves. This resort stands out for its seamless integration with its rugged surroundings, comfortable cottages that don't distract from the real attraction: nature. Guided safaris in open jeeps and dusk bonfires lend it a sense of immersive wilderness. Unlike more commercial options nearby, Aamaghati leans into quietude and authenticity, making it ideal for mothers who crave an unfiltered brush with the wild without sacrificing creature comforts. Statue of Unity Tent City 1, Gujarat Just a stone's throw from the towering Statue of Unity, Tent City 1 provides an unexpected juxtaposition of panoramic natural beauty and monumental history. The luxury accommodation surprisingly well-appointed with air conditioning and en suite bathrooms, sit on the banks of the Narmada River, making it more than a place to sleep, it's a cultural encounter. For mothers drawn to stories of resilience and nation-building, this stay provides curated experiences like guided tours, tribal art showcases, and evening light shows all without stepping too far from nature. Mansão Curtorim, Goa Tucked away in the sleepy village of Curtorim, this 18th-century Indo-Portuguese mansion has been lovingly restored to reflect its layered past. Unlike Goa's beach-centric offerings, Mansão Curtorim is a deep dive into Goan heritage through terrazzo floors, mango trees, and the hum of daily village life. With just a few rooms and no televisions in sight, the atmosphere nudges guests toward introspection and slowness. It's a retreat that suits mothers with an eye for architecture, history, and the kind of peace that comes without a schedule. Vaidyaratnam Vrindavan Ayurveda Chikitsalayam, Himachal Pradesh In an era of commodified wellness, Vaidyaratnam Vrindavan stands apart for its classical approach to Ayurveda. Nestled in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, the center is operated under the guidance of one of Kerala's most respected Ayurvedic families. Treatments here are custom-prescribed, ranging from Panchakarma detoxes to therapies for anxiety and postnatal care—and carried out with disciplined care. It's not a spa masquerading as wellness; it's the real thing. Ideal for mothers who value tradition, introspection, and the slow unraveling of physical and emotional tension. Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu Dwarika's isn't just a hotel, it's a preservation project. Every corridor and courtyard is crafted from salvaged and restored wooden carvings that date back centuries, a living museum paying homage to Kathmandu's disappearing Newar architecture. The experience feels part-monastic, part-museum, yet wholly luxurious. Beyond its aesthetics, Dwarika's offers immersive experiences like pottery workshops, traditional Nepali feasts, and yoga in a tranquil courtyard. For mothers intrigued by craft, ritual, and design, this is an ode to time-honored elegance and the power of slow travel. Jetwing Surf & Safari, Sri Lanka top videos View all Set along the untouched coastline of Pottuvil, Jetwing Surf operates as an eco-resort in the truest sense. Its open-air cabanas, shaped like sails, are built entirely from sustainable materials and designed to capture sea breezes, negating the need for air conditioning. The surf is excellent, but even non-surfers will find peace in the surrounding mangroves and elephant crossings. It's rustic, but not rough; barefoot luxury that avoids pretence. For mothers who equate solitude with luxury and find joy in crashing waves and the absence of walls, Jetwing offers quietude with a conscience. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Bollywood Mother's Day Happy Mother's Day mother's day 2022 travel Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 04, 2025, 07:30 IST News lifestyle » travel Unconventional Escapes for the Unstoppable Mom: 6 Retreats that Redefine Mother's Day
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
The people's artist: Mario de Miranda@100
NANI DAMAN: The young choristers at the 16th century Church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios in Daman had never heard of Mario de Miranda. But after seeing his artwork on my phone, and learning that the renowned artist and illustrator was one of their own, having been born in the formerly Portuguese enclave at the northernmost tip of the Konkan – and it was his birthday on that very same day – they sang Parabéns Nesta Data Querida to celebrate the occasion with soulful enthusiasm. Later on that same evening on May 2, some of us gathered for a more formal celebration of Mario's centenary at the Chapel of the Holy Cross that was built by his maternal grandfather in 1896, just around the corner from the (now demolished) old house where he arrived into the world, and into an eclectic and artistic Indo-Portuguese family, culture and society that laid the foundation for his distinguished oeuvre of over six decades. The experience of slow time in colonial Daman – always Damão to Mario in the original Portuguese – is key to understanding how the artist came to his unique, archival and affectionate style. This ancient cosmopolitan trading post is shoehorned next to what is effectively the holy land of Indian Zoroastrians – Udwada, Sanjan – and the very young artist was surrounded by colourful characters across many different backgrounds, beliefs and ethnic origins. His profound affinity for the Parsis started here, much before his famous Bombay years and lifelong friendship with Behram 'Busybee' Contractor. 'There was always singing, and Mario read voraciously,' says his much younger sister Fatima Miranda Figueiredo. 'He religiously kept up a visual daily record – and when my mother saw the quality of his drawings, she started giving him purpose-made hardback diaries with good drawing paper, and his name and the year embossed in gold on the cover.' Those diaries were the making of Mario de Miranda, and although still essentially unknown and unacknowledged by the Indian art world, they are undoubtedly one of the greatest treasures of our 20th century visual archive. Each page unfolds another day of close, careful, utterly delightful observations about the people and places the young flâneur encounters in the years after Indian independence, in that awkward period when the Estado da Índia still lingered in Goa. It did not take long, 'baby sister' Fatima told me, for this non-stop chronicling to earn Mario an early celebrity in his milieu, including the seniormost dignitaries of Goa. 'Every January, the previous year's diaries did the rounds from the Patriarch Dom José da Costa Nunes to the Governor of Portuguese India, Fernando de Quintanilha e Mendonça Dias.' But when he took those same precious volumes to Mumbai in the cusp of the 1950s, they failed to stir up suitable employment, and the artist was compelled to draw picture postcards that his fellow Bomoicar (the Konkani term for Goans in Bombay) and close friend Policarpo 'Polly' Vaz sold to tourists to make ends meet. The disheartened duo started saving up to migrate to Brazil, but that is when Dosabhai 'Dosoo' Karaka, the Oxonian bon vivant and founder-editor of The Current made a consequential commission: 'I want you to attend a dance at the Taj Mahal Hotel, and do a scene of the people dancing this new dance that has become a craze, the Can-Can. If I like it, I will publish your picture.' It is that precise combination of elements which catapulted Mario from picture postcards to pure magic. Just as newly independent Indians were being thrust together in unprecedented ways, here came an artist capable of observing and reading all the nuances. Working fast in intense concentration, he represented what he saw with an innate genius that defies easy classification but clearly possesses an almost universal appeal. His work became instantly beloved, and ubiquitous across Anglophone India. From the 1960s onwards, young Indians learned to read English from Bal Bharati readers filled with his illustrations, and they grew up with his work omnipresent across the (then-dominant) Times Group publications, where he'd been invited to join by the perceptive art connoisseur Walter Langhammer. Alongside, there were also important, impactful suites of works to accompany books by Dom Moraes, HM Lala and Manohar Malgonkar. Iconic is putting it mildly: this is nothing less than the defining body of work about self-consciously 'modern' India. There is also an anomaly here, however. Looking back from the vantage of this centenary year, we can see an unexpected twist in Mario de Miranda's remarkable artistic and life trajectory from Nani Daman to a kind of global recognition, the Padma Shri (in 1988), Padma Bhushan (2002) and Padma Vibhushan (posthumously, in 2012). All those who see it tend to love his work even now, and his archives enjoy huge merchandising success with Indian urbanites of every age, but there has never been any corresponding recognition from the Indian art world. They failed to understand his worth even while he was alive - and he was certainly hurt about that - and they continue to remain stubbornly blindfolded. 'Mario has not received the homage that is due him as an artist,' acknowledged Ranjit Hoskote in his perceptive 2008 essay The Art of Mario Miranda. Hoskote wrote: 'In a society less addicted to taxonomy than our own, it would have been widely and immediately recognised that Mario's gift far transcends the deadline-driven, wit-on-tap, demand-and-supply logic of editorial art. It would be far more accurate to shift the contextual frame that has been placed around him, and see him as an artist who, partly by choice and partly by happenstance, channelised much of his energy into the mass media. This should not detract, in any way, from the significance of his vision and his contribution; nor should it place him at a disadvantage in relation to those of his contemporaries who entered the gallery system and found a place and made a career there. He represents the lineage of the gadfly-provocateur and the witness to caprice and reason, whose standard-bearers include Goya, Hogarth and Daumier.' The art world has not budged, but history itself has taken another turn since Hoskote wrote that essay for the first large-scale retrospective publication on Mario. Filled with hundreds of artworks from across every phase of his artistic life, it was published by the architect Gerard da Cunha, whose ship-shaped Houses of Goa Museum is a quirky cultural highlight of India's smallest state. Via email earlier this week, the publisher told me he became more involved with the artist's estate immediately after the book came out as 'Mario got Parkinson's disease, and also lost his job at the Economic Times. Like some artists, he wasn't at all commercially minded and had little savings. Habiba [the artist's late wife] approached me, and asked me to find a way to financially support the family, and that is how it began. If Mario had been financially secure, I never would have started the Mario Gallery and my involvement would have ended with the publishing of the book.' In fact, there is nothing else quite like Mario Gallery anywhere in India, where da Cunha has created several outlets across Goa that maintain brisk sales of an astonishing array of Mario memorabilia: reproductions, objets d'art, housewares, furnishings, keepsakes and collectibles across every price range. He told me, 'I'm not an art critic and was not judging his work. My job was to monetise it. It has been a blast. To do the book I amassed 8000 drawings, which was my reference. I had some previous experience as a publisher, and so I felt that I could support the family by publishing a number of books. So, I brought out five small books on Goa, Bombay, Travels and Best Cartoons, then followed it up with three of his visual diaries. Books hardly sell, so I started making merchandise: posters, post cards, paper weights, fridge magnets, key chains and many other products. Fortunately they sold, and I opened five stores and a production facility.' The bottom line, says da Cunha, is that 'Mario's work hangs in homes – probably a hundredfold of any of the other great Indian artists. This may be a bugbear for art critics. I do feel a sense of satisfaction that I have been able to keep Mario in the public eye, and introduce him to a new generation. We have done 10 books on his work which is probably more than any great Indian artist, and the Mario Gallery has assisted a scholar getting a Phd, with one more on the way. We have also built a great archive which people can access freely. I am happy to know the Goa government intends to build a museum for Mario. I have not been involved in it, but it is still in the early stages. A good museum for Mario would be a great idea.' (Vivek Menezes is a photographer, writer and co-founder of the Goa Arts and Literature Festival.)
