This minimalist home by Meena Murthy Kakkar masterfully blends the warmth of heritage with the elegance of restraint

“A skyscraper has perfect geometry. A tall tree, on the other hand, doesn’t. An engineered bridge has perfect composition, but somewhere the meandering river that flows under it doesn’t. I think we humans seek perfection, order, symmetry and geometry, and somewhere this question has become even more pronounced in the current times. Yet, when it all gets too much and overwhelms us, we seek the imperfection of nature to calm us. I think a world where we embrace emotions and ageing, and where we celebrate our individual differences is truly the world that spells happiness,” elucidates architect Meena Murthy Kakkar of Envisage, as she talks about her new project, Advaita, a wabi-sabi home where imperfections define the luxury of free expression and the artist’s emotion; a home that celebrates Indian art and form, in a contemporary context.

INDIA MODERN
The home is the definition of the India Modern aesthetic. When we think Indian, we equate it to a cornucopia of colours, patterns and textures. For most of us, recreating an Indian aesthetic would mean creating a maximalist space. But Meena handles this aesthetic with delicate hands. The walls, painted in a limewash finish, provide an excellent canvas for art and artefacts that dot the house.

“This home is designed to celebrate nature and evolution, and also to find beauty in the irregularities of the handmade,” explains the architect. “It’s an ode to the creativity that spans the length and breadth of our nation.” Like a gallery, the space urges you to meander and examine each of its pieces; at the same time, it brings together a compelling narrative that respects its roots, context and tradition.

WELCOME TO ADVAITA
Meena refers to her residence as ‘Advaita’, a name that reflects her deep connection to the space. The entrance passage has a wall with pieces from all four corners of India adorning its niches. A beautiful vintage yali sits over a 200-year-old Chettinad pillar, paying obeisance to our traditional crafts.

The floor showcases a stunning zero-waste, cast-in-situ terrazzo surface, featuring two striking bands of design inspired by the timeless beauty of Kalamkari motifs. This modern, handcrafted interpretation of a traditional design element adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the space. A commissioned Gond painting by celebrated artist, Sri Venkat Raman Shyam, takes centre stage in the living room. A beautifully crafted reclaimed window from Jaipur serves as a backdrop for a thoughtful vignette.

Black clay pottery from the Khasi hills of Meghalaya adds an earthy, organic touch, while a stunning sketch of Saraswati by artist Prasun Mazumdar holds the pride of place in the puja room. This poignant artwork depicts Saraswati emerging from the depths of destruction, submerged in water, yet creating the first notes of music after Prahlad’s tumultuous era. Meanwhile, Brahma looks on, poised to recreate the earth anew. This powerful scene invites contemplation, creativity and connection, making this space a perfect haven for meditation, study or musical pursuits. “Art somewhere brings inner peace while one is surrounded by chaos, and that is what this painting is all about,” reflects Meena. The master bedroom has a patachitrainspired mural, flanking the carved four-poster bed.

The muted wabisabi interiors act as the perfect foil, the perfect background to allow all these beautiful pieces to shine through. In this space, thoughtfully designed and curated by Meena, every detail is a testament to her unwavering passion for the arts. A true patron of the arts, Meena’s commitment to her craft is evident in every carefully curated piece, every brushstroke, and every nuanced design element. This home is indeed an art lover’s paradise—a masterpiece that celebrates the beauty, diversity and transformative power of art.

“At Envisage, it is our constant endeavour to make traditional art and craft a part of mainstream design stories. It is necessary to do that to essentially keep these arts and crafts relevant in the eyes of the public. The crafts are an important thread in the weave of our cultural continuity, and they need to be preserved,” concludes Meena.

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