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Posts Tagged ‘India’

Peace and Tigers

Wednesday, September 15th, 2010

In Rajasthan, on the fringes of the Ranthambore National Park – set against the sublime backdrop of the Aravali hills – lies the serene wilderness camp of Aman-i Khás. Infamous for sightings of the near-extinct grand feline, the Bengal Tiger, Aman-i Khás offers guests an authentic Indian wilderness experience with the creature comforts of a premier 5 star hotel.

What better way to rejuvenate the senses and reinvigorate your lust for adventure than to wake up on a crisp morning, delighting in the wilderness that rests just outside the door of your luxury tent. With approximately 400 square kilometers of surrounding parkland, it’s home to some of the most dramatic landscape and extraordinary animal life on earth.

Ranthambhore is one of those rare places that can not help but reminds us of our roots, our position in the ecosystem, and most importantly – why we need to continue respecting and preserving these places of unimaginable beauty.

Aman-i Khás translates to “special peace” and to help achieve just that, the resort offers post-safari healing massages and a variety of yoga classes practiced outdoors, opposite a small lake underneath a canopy of trees. Tranquility radiates through the camp as evening arrives and guests are served dinner under the stars. The cuisine ranges from the finest Indian to a range of Western dishes, with the majority of the vegetables and herbs grown in the camp’s own organic garden. After dinner, it’s coffee or nightcap near the roaring outdoor fire; eavesdropping on the nocturnal calls of the wild.

Guests of Aman-i Khás are not only encouraged to experience prize predators at close proximity on guided safari excursions – there are a number of planned outings to experience life outside the camp. So whether you choose to delve headfirst into the culture and traditions of Rajasthanian culture by visiting the region’s forts or colourful rural villages; you can also visit shops and perfumeries located in the Old City.

Aman-i Khás
Ranthambhore
Rajasthan
India

Tel: + (91) 7462 252 052

Email:

aman-i-khas@amanresorts.com

Website: www.amanresorts.com

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Leti 360°

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

Hidden away in the Himalayas at over 8,000 feet, Leti 360°, India is strictly for those looking to get away from it all. It takes a good hour’s walk from the closest town to get there, a minimum three-night stay applies, and forget about mobile phone reception and internet; but if you’re in need a total escape, there’s no better place to turn off your Blackberry and get closer to the real India.

The ultimate retreat, quite literally on top of the world, Leti boasts four cottages made from locally sourced materials; a blend of colonial-luxury-modern with brass fittings and solid teak furniture. In the evenings, you’re free to relax in your own sit-out complete with an open bonfire, or snuggle up inside. The bedrooms have sheer glass walls which mean you needn’t get out of bed to take in the all-inspiring views.

In October and November, the wild cherry trees blossom, bringing the mountains to life. Visit in March through May, however, and experience an entirely different side of the country as the rhododendrons bloom, painting the mountains with splashes of colour.

Given the exclusive nature of the camp, it often seems like you have the Himalayas all to yourself. No matter if you decide to explore the mountains, nearby villages and temples, fish, picnic and hike the days away; there’s plenty to do for the active and equally for the not so active. Yoga and meditation are also on offer, and if you don’t attain a state of enlightenment with the Himalayas as your backdrop, there’s a good chance you never will!

All meals and beverages are included, with the friendly local chefs serving sumptuous pan-Asian cuisine alongside a good variety of wines. You most certainly won’t leave hungry.

And after dinner every night, what better way to wile away the moonlit hours than by snuggling up with a loved one in your lovely cottage living room high above the world.

Three nights, four days from USD 1,825 per adult based on two people sharing a private cottage on a fully inclusive basis (travel within Kumaon only so you’ll need to add flights).

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The Empire Strikes Back: Indian Art Today

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

indianart_main

It was with mixed anticipation that the opening of Saatchi’s ‘The Empire Strikes Back: Indian Art Today‘ kicked off. On the one hand, the excitement at the replacement of the extended ‘Abstract America’ show but on the other – contemporary Indian art? Wasn’t Delhi ‘the new art hotspot’ some time ago now? Indeed as the contemporary art world ground to a halt some eighteen months ago the new Indian art market had barely got off the ground.

Saatchi has returned the spotlight to the subcontinent supporting both emerging and established names. With 24 artists, ‘of Indian origin’ involved, the whopping great space has been used cleverly and curatorially the exhibition looks stunning – evenly spaced with enough room for each piece to breathe on its own. Some quite literally – a stack of nine mattresses were inflating up and down on top of a rickety hospital bed – without toppling just about – all in the name of ‘social utilitarianism.’

The pieces were hugely varied in tone and style perhaps at the detriment of the show altogether. Lacking in uniformity or any coherent narrative theme, chaos reigns. It is this paradox of dark and light of optimism and pessimism that stands clear. With works seeped in political commentary from the violent terrors of the past to present day immigration problems, everything is covered. It is this rather simplistic, obvious perhaps, tackling of such a vastly complex continent that requires deep, contemplative thought to be fully appreciated, that the show loses its way a little. Lumped together you’ve got East-West tension, rising consumerism versus manual labour, global-local problems – it’s as though they’ve tried to jostle all these things up together without really getting under the skin of any of them. As an artist who I met at the reception commented, ‘they lack enigma.’

However in terms of wow factor it’s all there – naturally Subodh Gupta’s brilliant stainless steel cooking utensil creations, Jitish Kallat’s sculpture ‘Eruda’ is truly captivating, Tate Triennial star Shezad Dawood’s plinths are stunning and look out for some startling taxidermy pieces by the lesser known Huma Mulji. It’s all on a plate.

The Empire Strikes Back: Indian Art Today is on at the Saatchi Gallery until 7th May. For more details, visit www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk.

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