PATTERN IN CHAOS: April 2016

I would love to have a suitcase packed for impromptu travel all the time but very rarely do I get a chance to pick up the bag pack and hop out for a quick weekend escape. Now if this unscripted travel is to a destination laced with regal heritage and picturesque splendour, wouldn't you agree that it is nothing short of a miracle? My last weekend getaway to Maheshwar was a marvel of one such spontaneous master plan.

Maheshwar is a quiet city in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh, about 90km from Indore. We take an early morning flight out to Indore and then travel for about 2 hours by road to reach Maheshwar. This city which was the capital of the Maratha Holkar reign stands on the bank of the zestful Narmada river, that flaunts a majestic river bank, built by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The Ghat is an architectural splendour of regimented steps built in stone and spruced with centrally aligned, symmetrical aesthetics. A boat ride down the shimmering river fringed with scenic landscape and small stone temples is a true delight.

The next visit is to the Holkar fort. This opulent palace of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar is the zenith of royal Maratha architecture. This fort which was the administrative headquarters of the queen is currently converted into a royal guesthouse managed by Prince Shivaji Rao Holkar (son of last Maharaja of Indore). In Maheshwar, this is the place to put your baggage down and soak in the glory of bygone eras and experience the spectacle of royalty. While talking about royalty, another splendid work of architecture to visit, is the Rajwada. Constructed under the rule of the enterprising Queen Ahilyabai Holkar this design is inspired by Mughal and French trends.

Day 2 begins with a mesmerising walk on the Narmada banks. So enchanting it is that I forget to even switch on my camera. Some moments I guess are only for the eyes to capture and mind to absorb.
The next attraction is the Ahilyeshwar temple built regally with stone carvings and mammoth lampstands standing tall on the banks of Narmada.

A visit to Maheshwar is incomplete without visiting the weavers and indulging in indigenous shopping. In and around the city are small colonies of weavers who live in colourful houses and are busy spinning works of art in their powerful looms. Weaving in Maheshwar dates back to over 1500 years and the current tradition owes its resurgence to Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, under whose reign the art prospered. Shopping can be done at Rehwa, the nonprofit organisation outlet, which is built with the motive to promote handweaving, women empowerment, housing, education and healthcare facilities for the artisans. Maheshwar has shops of different weaving communities that have mushroomed all over the city and is a shoppers' paradise. I must confess that in my shopping spree I landed up leaving really late from Maheshwar and nearly missed my flight out from Indore.

An extempore escape into the lovely city of Maheshwar is a phenomenon I would love to replay. This fleeting and dynamic travel experience has sowed the seeds for more to come. Short, spontaneous getaways are lovely and lead me to believe that sometimes unplanned adventures make the best of stories.

I do believe that we are constantly striving to create the 'Perfect Space'. A Study says that less than 10% of homeowners feel that their space is perfect. I can totally relate to it as this restlessness flows out of my brains more often than it should. I am convinced that this is the reason that constantly prompts me to be in search for stores (online and brick-and-mortar) that curate and manufacture decor and design shopping to add flavour to our spaces.

During one of these relentless hunts, I discover this young store named Nostos. It is shyly located off the main road in Mahim (Kanu Kunj, near Citylight Cinema), Mumbai. Set up by a bunch of enthusiastic designers the innovative mood of the products are set well right from the entrance.

I am going to let the images speak for themselves and move ahead to have a look at the show window. The show window is actually an expansive double-height automobile garage converted into a stylish home store. Like an art gallery the store is divided into different parts. It comprehensively showcases a varied combination of looks. This can trigger off ideas on how to enhance and add to the look of your existing space or design a new space that you are brainstorming on.

The store has well designed curated furniture, light fittings as well as interesting accessories. Some that I would surely recommend are, the colourful frogs-in-conference, fragrance bell jar candles, quaint glass artifacts, wooden pig-butler-table and outdoor furniture made of recycled materials from Retyrement Plan (https://www.facebook.com/TheRetyrementPlan/?fref=ts).

As I follow the path of decor exploration to create the elusive concept of 'Perfect Space', I take a pause and feel that the perfection lies in enjoying the space and shopping for it so that we can recreate exemplary looks for it every time. The secret of decor shopping is when vision and heart collaborate and you know that it's just the ideal thing to possess for the 'Perfect Space'. Creating the 'Perfect Space' is a journey, not a destination, so shop on.

Some lucky things happen when you are least expecting it!

A couple of days back, a cancelled meeting at Nariman Point leads me to a street food eating experience with a twist.

Having travelled a bit of a distance that day for this meeting, when it gets cancelled, I must admit I am a bit peeved. To add to that, it is beyond my lunch time and the hunger monsters are revolting inside my stomach demanding to be fed. When the mind does not work well, what works as the stress management buddy is the Zomato App. I punch in a couple of words on search and in a jiffy, the name 'DesiKlub' pops up. Location shows Maker Chamber 5, Nariman Point. I am thrilled. Street food, a couple of good reviews on the app and my gnawing hunger, sends me straight through their wooden door into an air-conditioned street ambience. Welcoming Bollywood music of the 80's, and a tempting menu with a hint of Bollywood Deja Vu has me ordering for food even before I can look around to grasp the decor of the place (which is what I usually do when I am up for an eating experience). 'Chitthi Aayi Hai' (Spicy paneer filling wrapped in Roomali roti envelopes, served with Waldorf salad) and 'Cutting Pudina Chai' is what I start with.

The plating is innovative and the food even better. I am ravenous today and the smiling attendant recommends 'Litchi-Rose Icecream Soda', 'The Tiffin Box' (Reshmi paratha, dal, rice, paneer sabzi served with papad, crushed onion and Indian coleslaw), and a 'Chocolate Thali' from the dessert section. I cannot believe my own ears when I say yes to all of that. The ensemble that is served to me is a lavish tribute to the Mumbai dabbawalas.

As the taste buds in my mouth and the hunger monsters in my stomach relax with a heave of content, my focus shifts from the closeups of the food to the ambience around.

'DesiKlub' is designed smartly with a feel of being right in the hub of Mumbai Streets. BEST buses, street shopping, zebra crossings, lampposts, mounted car bonnets all give a feel of a busy Mumbai street. The chairs with well-known Mumbai destinations pinned on them are inventive. The experimental attempt to create a street feel within a restaurant space works well.

I am positive that I have a predisposed DNA conditioning in which when I hear the word 'Food' and especially 'Street Food', the explorer in me comes alive and I have to try it again and again (guilty pleasures). I am glad that I landed up at 'DesiKlub' without forethought, cause I sure will head there again (with planning this time) for the Sunday Brunch with my family. I am thinking this Sunday may be.

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