artistic retreat MANISHA GERA BASWANI S

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1 artistic MANISHA GERA BASWANI S Painter and photographer Manisha Gera Baswani s home puts you in the mood for conversations over tea, as you lounge on her sofa with Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan cushions, or admire her impressive collection of art. However, what makes Manisha s home a cut above the rest is its earthiness, and her ability to spot art in everyday objects. So, leaves that scatter the ground become a natural potpourri, abandoned birds nests occupy pride of place and feathers collected from the street are displayed in a glass bowl. Manisha, picking up the nest, remarks, Look at the way the leaf is woven into the nest. Recently, she also salvaged cotton droppings from a tree and displayed them. Manisha and her husband Rahul Baswani, a leadership coach, are collectors, and their house reflects this passion. However, the interest transcends art and includes his collection of swords that has been handed down from generation to generation; carpets bought during his travels around the world; a collection of owl figurines; an ostrich egg flown across continents till it made it to their living room; and her love for kitsch. Manisha s instincts lead her to various shopping haunts, such as Shades of India for her upholstery and linens, Good Earth for decor, Sharma Farms in Chhatarpur for furniture, and Bangkok s famous weekend market Chatuchak (she swears by it) for interesting finds, retreat PAINTER MANISHA GERA BASWANI S GURGAON APARTMENT HAS A FRIENDLY, OPEN VIBE AND IS MEANT FOR RELAXED LIVING AMIDST ART, KITSCH, AND PERSONAL MEMORABILIA. by anuradha varma photographs anshuman sen produced by ragini singh such as real starfish that now decorate her living room. When Manisha first moved into her eighth-floor Gurgaon apartment over three years ago, she suffered withdrawal symptoms for her spacious rented home in Delhi, where she also had a large studio space. In retrospect, she says, In a way, the move helped us sift through the art we had collected and keep only what we liked. The couple started collecting art 15 years ago, when they got married. Says Manisha, We started by buying art on instalments for instance, we paid for the bronze bust of Alauddin Khan (by artist Sarbari Roy Choudhury) over two years. Since the work was being bought by an artist, the galleries didn t mind the deferred payments. However, while she took a sabbatical from painting for a year after the move, she focussed on her photography project, where she has captured Indian artists in candid shots, which will now come out as a coffee-table book. She also helped select prints of works of well-known artists, starting from Raja Ravi Verma prints to contemporary art, for her residential society s lobby areas. Recently, she organised an art walk, which started with the first lobby and ended in her house, where guests got to see an original Jamini Roy or Nandalal Bose painting. There is a lot of community living in Gurgaon, which is getting lost in Delhi. I feel it s now my turn to give back to society, she quips. The creative instinct is also present in her sons, 14-year-old Aamer and nine-year-old Angad, who plays the drums. The walls of their room have a portion where they can scribble. Aamer, a Manchester United football fan, has memorabilia decorating the walls. Manisha also finds the space in her THE ARTIST AS A MUSE Manisha Gera Baswani strikes a pose against the coffee table in her living room. In the backdrop is her vast collection of art. 32 better homes and gardens may 2013 better homes and gardens may

2 WE STARTED BY BUYING ART ON INSTALMENTS. SINCE THE ART WAS BEING BOUGHT BY AN ARTIST, THE GALLERIES DIDN T MIND. LIVEABLE STYLE The warm and inviting upholstery used in the living room is from Shades of India in Meher Chand Market in Delhi. 34 better homes and gardens may 2013 better homes and gardens may

3 OPEN PLAN The corridor that leads from the living room to the main bedroom is flanked by art. SHELF EFFECT The artefacts displayed on the enormous shelf in the lobby have been collected by the couple over the years. YOU HAVE TO FIND THE RIGHT ANGLE TO PLACE EVERYTHING. IF IT S PLACED WRONG, THE EFFECT CAN BE MESSY. studio to display their creativity, such as a rocket fashioned from everyday materials. The painter has the unique ability to create the right space for seemingly disconnected artefacts of art and decor. Her home is an open-house for friends and family. She states, We re extremely open people in our relationships, and in the way we live. Their living style also mirrors the home s easy vibe. While the couple enjoys their morning coffee in the balcony or an occasional drink with friends in the living room, dinner is rarely on the dining table, which is placed outside the kitchen. My kids usually bring their plates to our bedroom, where we also have a large-screen television. She also doesn t believe in curtains. Wherever I need less sunlight, I ensure the plants like bamboo and champa in the balcony outside are taller. Manisha s own art, such as her depiction of Mandu after her visit to the place, is placed on her bedroom wall. Another recent painting, where she has used tea water to paint, has been put up in the living room, which also has a phulkari woven by her great-grandmother. In essence, the artist s home is a reflection of the person she really is open and welcoming. 36 better homes and gardens may 2013 better homes and gardens may

4 EARTHY ELEMENTS Strings of wheat hung in the doorway, near the balcony, bring a sense of earthiness. An array of reverse glass paintings from Kochi is placed above it. COZY NOOKS The balcony is where the couple has their morning coffee (above). Manisha calls it a low-maintenenance zone, and adds that the pebbles on the floor need to just be gathered and washed every six months. MASSIVE DISPLAY A custom-made shelf, (top right) houses Rahul s extensive owl figurines collection, that he has procured from all over the world. ART HOUSE EFFECT The bathroom is a surprise (right). A collection of art and kitsch come together to create a delightful effect. Crammed with spillover artefacts, the bathroom is a veritable museum. 38 better homes and gardens may 2013 better homes and gardens june

5 40 better homes and gardens may 2013 FAMILY AREA The bedroom is where the family gathers for dinner and television. The handmade mats with heart motifs on the bed, were bought from an elderly lady in Vietnam.