Destination : Pondicherry
About 160 kms south of Chennai on the Coramandal coast is the Union Territory of Pondicherry, a living
monument of 300 years of French rule in India. Karaikkal also in Tamil Nadu, Mahe in Kerala and Yanam
in Andhra Pradesh are also a part of the union territory and together reflect a curious amalgamation of
of east and west that lives on.
Pondicherry exists as the French quarters - the restored, attractive, former French colony close to the
promenade by the ocean; all organized avenues and streets, chic boutiques, café and restaurants,
stately colonial homes set with-in ornamental gardens. There is just that whiff of tamil culture around –
a rangoli, a flower seller or a soothsayer. There is also the ashram of Sri Aurobindo, a landmark spiritual
center close to the promenade.
Ten kilometers from the town is the “universal city” of Auroville which was founded by Sri Aurobindo in
1926 who propagated an inclusive living combining science, yoga and spirituality. Not far from the
French quarters is where the Tamilians live – houses built closer together, a temple at the end of every
street, bustling streets with shops, people , traffic and hawkers. Yet one can glimpse a bit of French
here especially in some of the old Tamil houses with their elegant grill-work, arched windows and
columned verandas!
Very recently the town was rechristened as Puducherry but there are many like me who still prefer that
lilting sound of Pondicherry !!
Villa Shanti : Concept and Design
Rue Suffren in the French quarter runs parallel to the promenade with a couple of streets in between.
Like all streets here, it runs end to end and lined with multi-hued colonial houses, many with high gates
and gardens. A glowing beige and white building with
movable orange road-checks cleverly placed for
heightened contract is your first view of Villa Shanti.
Then you notice the lights on either side of the
entrance painted the same stunning orange, a few
boulders hold a standee in place, a one leafed palm
in a brass receptacle, shadows of a couple lush trees
that line this stretch. The quiet street is particularly a
buzz around Villa Shanti and hence the mood as you
step in through the sturdy wooden doors onto a
short corridor, under a provocative half curtain in
white is shaded, cool and quiet.
Villa Shanti is a restored French house over a 100
years old to which an extension has been added to
make space for rooms, dining and terrace. The
concept is very minimal and the design evocative of
French villas with open balconies and verandas
looking out to a central square that is open to the skies.
The People : There are several inspired people behind the project which took over four years from
purchase and design to completion. Villa Shanti
opened last December under Michaele
Decoulange, Brigitte Berretta, Segiyane Sylvain
Paquiry and Sanjay Razdan, the key promoters
while Joy Mallya Gupta is their enthusiastic
young manager at the hotel.
Two French architects from Paris worked on the
design and execution relying on local artisans and
using locally sourced materials for the walls and
floors. Furniture, interiors and the quaint objects
d’art have been bought from endless
explorations in the local markets of Chennai,
Pondicherry and Chetinad.
Dining, Lounge and Services : The central
courtyard square is two stories high. On the
ground floor, close to the entrance is an open bar
and lounge, set around arched columns on one
side, a dining on the other and guest rooms that
begin on the far side. The fourth side is a high wall embellished with a thriving vertical garden that
makes the central courtyard a green, sunny breakfast area in the mornings and an atmospheric candle
lit, airy space for dining at night. The Bar and Lounge has low seating, its only decoration besides the
shelves of gleaming glass ware is a central wall art which fans of Amar Chitra Katha will recognize as King
Bharat and Shakuntala, straight from the comic book in a stylized setting.
There is a an indoor air-conditioned dining room with about 30 covers, appreciated very much during
sultry afternoons though even in June most people including me preferred sitting under the columned
verandah under gently whirring fans.
Villa Shanti serves up some amazing meals, with a selection of sea food, continental bakes and grills
and a choice of regional and Indian dishes. Breakfasts served out in the courtyard are wonderful with
freshly baked breads and croissants, fresh juice, eggs to order and fruits of the season. And before I
forget the young bar tender conjures up amazing alcoholic concoctions you would love to sip on, even if
you are sitting by yourself in the softly lit courtyard.
Rooms and Suites : With 15 rooms and suites, Villa Shanti is small enough to offer personalized service
and large enough to accommodate small groups with the same personal attention to individual
requests. The rooms and suites are set on three floors beginning at the courtyard level. They open onto
bright corridors through high door-ways, windows are clear of curtains yet bring in diffused light
through translucent glass. White walls, with just one design feature give the feeling of space, checked
curtain over a shelf or hand-made tiles around the bed add color, bathrooms are devoid of doors but
intelligently placed walls ensure complete privacy. Polished granite basins that remind you of handcrafted traditional dough makers found in most south Indian homes, similar miniatures for soap dishes
and steel tumblers for holders. The suites are really
generous and offer the same simplicity of design and
uncluttered space.
Villa Shanti has a purity of design that is quite
unlike the slew of new hotels that aim for
contemporary design and look the same. At
Villa Shanti you are enticed to stop and take a
second look, sometimes there is a quirky idea
that gets you to smile, somewhere the clean
lines relax you and elsewhere a splash of color
uplifts your mood. Look down the corridor, the
white of the walls, grey granite, glass and
chrome and in the far corner, a fire dousing
system in striking red transforms into a piece of
art.
Things to do in Pondicherry :
In classic south programs Pondicherry is ideally placed between Chennai and Chidambaram
onwards to Kumbakonam, Tanjore, Trichi, Madurai and onwards. Pondicherry is a two night
destination with many options for cultural and spiritual explorations in and around the town.
Some of the must do’s at Pondicherry are as follows :
-
-
-
Walk through the lanes of French quarters exploring the antique stores and fashion
boutiques.
Heritage walk organized by the Pondicherry INTACH chapter.
Visit the Shri Aurobindo Ashram and temple
Day excursion to Auroville which is 10 kms from the city. At Auroville you can visit the
visitors centre which has a photographic exhibition about Auroville and MatriMandir. A
short trip Matri Mandir which is a kilometer by walk from the visitors centre, however entry
inside is only on prior permission.www.auroville.org
There is a network of over 25 kms of cycle path throughout auroville that links communities
and activities that you may wish to see. The cycle paths take you through young forests and
are indicated on a map for cyclists. Cycles can be hired for the day at the Visitors Centre.
Grand Bazaar off MG Road main market for groceries, spices, flowers, vegetables, fish and
household goods.
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Aurodhan is an art gallery and cultural center run by the dynamic Lalit Verma who organizes
various cultural events throughout the year. www.aurodhan.com
Alliance Française : The Alliance Française de Pondichéry organizes various cultural
programs and welcome artists from France and India
http://alliancefrancaisepondichery.com
Essential Facts
Accommodation
:
15 guest rooms and suites
Restaurant
:
Indian and Continental
Hotel Classification
Highlights
Rooms
:
:
:
Contemporary Heritage Hotel
Large spacious Suites, Located in the French Quarter of Pondicherry
Twin : 5 / Doubles : 10
Printed Tariff
:
Deluxe room ( 9) : INR 7000
Superior Deluxe (2) : INR 8000
Junior Suite ( 2)
:INR 9000
Suite
(2)
: INR 11000
Upto Mar 31 2013
Taxes Extra.
Ideal For
:
Perfect for FITs and small cultural groups. Quiet Getaway, Weekend Breaks,
Customized Retreats like Yoga, Meditation, Art, work-shops, Long stays etc.
Distances
:
Chennai : 160 kms , Chidambaram : 62 kms
Karaikudi : 286 kms , Tanjore : 150 kms
Itinerary Connect
:
Season
:
Chennai – Pondicherry – Chidambaram – Kumbakonam – Tanjore / Trichi –
Madurai – Munnar – Kumarkom – Cochin.
All Season