For mind, body and soul
AMINAH KHAN
Explore Indian art and philosophy amid material comforts at Le Sutra: the Indian art hotel in Mumbai.
An oasis of calm: Embark on a spiritual journey through India at Le Sutra
As you drift through the mystical world of Indian art and philosophy set amid the tranquil earthy mysticism and eroticism of Le Sutra, you’ll be transported to a time and place far away.
It’s an oasis of calm in stark contrast to the vibrant suburban west side of Mumbai with a bright orange mural on its outer wall that’s really hard to miss. The wall was painted and signed by Baz Luhrmann, the award winning director of “Romeo and Juliet” and “Moulin Rouge”, and the Australian artist Vincent Fantauzzo known for his portrait of the late Heath Ledger and Baz Luhrmann himself.
Once inside, it’s easy to forget that you’re in a city, surrounded by the pandemonium of fast cars, busy people, typical Mumbai chatter and a shopping district that lures residents to indulge in retail therapy.
Ascend the chakras
At Le Sutra, you’ll be drawn away from the mundane and material as you float in a sort of semi trance on a journey that begins in the lobby and continues as you ride up the elevator, ascending up the 7 ‘ chakras’ (the spiritual body’s energy centres located along the spine) to the pinnacle of peace. Everything here seems surreal, but that’s what makes the experience so unique.
Sutra in Sanskrit means ‘a thread that binds things together’ and Le Sutra is a place where art and philosophy are woven into a tapestry of Indianness framed for the wall of hospitality. A mind-body-soul communion in a place where art form, energy and inspiration are crafted into contemporary artwork that speaks of Indian mysticism is what Le Sutra is all about. Under an hour’s drive from Mumbai’s international airport and conveniently close to West Bandra’s colourful shopping area with plenty of posh pubs and restaurants the hotel is ideally located for the discerning traveller.
This 16-room boutique hotel will take you on a spiritual journey through India with the luxuries of personalised service and hotel amenities, features and facilities that make your stay in Mumbai both interesting and comfortable.
“With a tour of Le Sutra you can actually complete a spiritual or mystic learning of India, which is far more exciting than in an ashram; not that I’m competing with ashrams,” says Mr. Bajaj, the company’s director.
There’s something intriguing about climbing down the curving stairways and walking through the corridors with antique jaalilamps over head casting lacy shadows around you. There’s an aura waltzing through every chamber, every hallway here that takes you journeying back in time through Indian mythology.
The reception, where you start your journey through the pages of Indian philosophy, is a rendition of Kundalini, the coiled cosmic energy lying dormant at the base of the spine. This is the energy needed to ascend through the three gunas or levels of consciousness: Taamsic, ‘Raajsic’ and ‘Saatvic’, up the seven chakras (the energy centres on the vertical axis of the spiritual body) that appear in succession as you ride up in the lift to the top floor. The three gunas are the themes on which the art and design of the hotel are based with a floor devoted to each idea.
Each room is a contemporary personification of Ravana, Ashoka or Buddha or an embodiment of sensuality, love or purification and each offers a new experience and whispers a different secret. There’s Dyutta, the gambling room; the Kathak room that depicts the classical Indian dance form and 14 more uniquely decorated chambers here.
Art everywhere
Le Sutra is a hotel that is art with every detail in the room from the chair to the headboard coming together to tell an intriguing tale of India with an in-room interactive TV that lets you explore the subject in greater depth once your curiosity has been roused.“It appeals to you aesthetically, it tickles your mind and hopefully it’ll inspire your soul. I’m not saying this as a sales pitch but I would like you to experience it for yourself,” says Bajaj.
At Le Sutra you can immerse yourself in a world of art, without going to a museum and take a spiritual journey within yourself in air-conditioned comfort with the luxurious essentials of fresh linen, vivid colours and incense. You won’t find a pool or a spa here but you will find peace of mind and artistic soul food, some instantly visible and some a surprise that you stumble upon but every detail is a flicker that lights the way to spiritual awakening.
“I want to get your body and I know I’ll get your mind, but can I dig deeper than that? Can I go to that part of you which even you don’t know? Maybe your subconscious or your unconscious mind. Can I appeal to that, to those deeper sensibilities, or your spiritual being? Can I tickle that part of you and, if I can, do I have any competition in the world?” says Bajaj.
Times of India, 27 June 2010
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