Text credit: Charishma Thankappan

Spiralling up the hills, I craned my neck each time the car slowed down at the 14 hairpin bends, to glance at the cloud-speckled peaks in the distance. I wondered if there would be an equally beautiful view at the destination where I was headed to – The Tamara Kodai.

My first glimpse of newest luxury resort in Kodaikanal was of its imposing stone walls.

The entrance of The Tamara Kodai

The reception I received from the staff was one of the warmest, as I was taken in by their kindness and endeavour to put me at ease. The feeling was also imparted by the lobby, which is done up in an immensely cosy ambiance. Plush tan chesterfield sofas surround a fireplace on either side of the entrance. Grey stone walls with muted warm yellow lighting bring alive the colonial aura that the place is historically steeped in.

The Lobby at The Tamara Kodai

The absorbing history

The Tamara Kodai is a luxury heritage resort, the only one of its kind in Kodaikanal. It is the second property from Tamara Leisure Experiences Pvt Ltd. after The Tamara Coorg, which has been in operation since six years.

Built in the 1840s, the resort was originally the residence of a British judge called Mr Baynes, who sold it to a priest called Father Louis Cyr in 1860. In 1861, the cleric converted it into a retreat for the priests from St Joseph’s College in Nagapattinam. It was renamed La Providence.

The resort has preserved the old structure, where the remains of the arches of doors and windows are still seen. The pillars, windows, grilles, frames, have all been retained from the era, with slight touches given by the resort.

Exploring the haven

My room – one of the 44 luxury suites – was a sheer pleasure. It comes with 24 hour Wi-Fi connectivity, a 49” LED television, a mini-bar, and an in-room heater. Wooden floors and a host of rich, wooden furniture instantly warmed me to the charming atmosphere. The exquisite writing desk and chair caught my fancy and I lost my heart to it immediately. The colonial style furniture in the resort is made from plantation Teak imported from Indonesia. The resort also has eight Superior Luxury Suites and a Neelakurinji Suite. The suites offer spectacular views of the mist-laden hills from their balconies.

The Luxury Suite

The resort lays emphasis on sustainability. The wooden floor panelling outside the suites is made of reclaimed wood from old sleeper coaches of Indian railways. The bathrooms are provided with reusable toiletry bottles of shampoo and body wash; while the cisterns use only 6 litres or less per flush. The campus harbours a rainwater harvesting facility of 36 lakh litres capacity. There are three greenhouses as well.

Facilities at The Tamara Kodai include two conference halls, named after the first two tribes who settled in Kodaikanal. The 1,700 sq. ft. Puliyan Hall can accommodate 200 people and can be used for weddings and business needs. The 365 sq. ft. Paliyan Hall is ideal for board meetings, team briefings, etc.

The resort provides two dining areas. Bistro 1845 is a French style à la carte bistro and bar. La Providence is the all-day dining restaurant, serving buffet and à la carte menu. It also has an outdoor deck. The area above the restaurant used to be a chapel, which has now been converted into a library cum-recreational space. It has a collection of classic Indian and Western literature, board games like chess and caroms, and a crèche for children.

The resort also boasts of the only swimming pool in Kodaikanal, and it is temperature controlled. The Levinge Lounge near the pool will be used for Yoga and they plan to introduce astronomical instruments where guests can indulge in stargazing, as it is the highest point in the area.

Temperature controlled swimming pool

Out and about

The first day at The Tamara Kodai began with a trek to the Rainbow Forest. Led by Syed Mehaboob Aalam Kusugal, Manager Unique Guest Experience, the 2.5km long trail was replete with the bounty of the Western Ghats. Herbs and medicinal plants such as Eucalyptus, Wild Tobacco which actually cures lung related ailments, orange creeper – the leaves and roots of which are used as anti-fungal and anti-bacterial medicine in traditional Ayurveda; to fruit bearing trees such as juicy wild Passion Fruit, Inca Berry, Jerusalem cherry – commonly known as Sundakaai in Tamil, beautified the path. We deftly avoided the Indian Stinging Nettle that Syed warned us against, even as he showed us how the plant grew alongside its antidote knotweed.

The trek led to the breathtaking Rhino Nose Viewpoint from where the village of Vellagavi can be seen far away. Surrounded by Neelakurinji, I drank in the ethereal beauty of the moment, wishing for time to freeze. The Pambar Waterfall is another interesting point in the trek. The short trek turned out to be an educational walk as Syed regaled the trekkers with nuggets of Kodaikanal’s history and about the flora and fauna found in this part of the Western Ghats. Next was the trip to Berijam Lake. The 20-odd kilometre ride took us along the Madigatta Shola Forest and a few viewpoints.

Rhino Nose Viewpoint

Source: Charishma Thankappan

Back at the resort for lunch, we were gratified by the sumptuous fare belted out from Executive Chef Dibya Ranjan Samal’s kitchen. A most delectable spread, it consisted of not just heavenly Indian cuisine but also encompassed exotic international tastes. The delightful dining experience continued at dinner.

La Providence – the all day diner

Next morning began with a cycling expedition to Poombarai village. The picturesque ride was followed by a visit to Manavannoor, another stunning hamlet overrun by verdant meadows and lush rolling hills. The place also houses a sheep and rabbit farm.

We returned to the resort for some rest and relaxation, which was augmented by a reinvigorating session at The Elevation Spa. The spa area, which was the erstwhile resting quarters of the priests, has been converted into five fully equipped massage rooms including a couple’s room and a room for manicure and pedicure. Indulging in a 60 minute Deep Tissue therapy by my therapist Lucy was the ultimate way to wind up my immensely joyous stay at The Tamara Kodai.

Responsible tourism

“Tamara Leisure Experiences was established with a vision of creating world-class resorts and hotels around the world with a focus on responsible tourism and unique experiences for our guests. The Tamara Kodai is all set to establish a new benchmark in the hospitality industry in India as one of its premiere luxury heritage resorts,” says CEO and Director Shruti Shibulal, who has been instrumental in leading the Tamara Leisure Experiences projects. The establishment is aware of its responsibilities towards the local community. “The first church was built in 1854 and its cemetery is in a bad shape. We have petitioned the Church of South India to allow us to restore the graves,” says Syed.  The Tamara Kodai also promotes local artisans by displaying their products in their shop called ‘The Verandah’ inside the resort.

The first premier hotel in Kodaikanal, The Tamara Kodai has so much to offer. It not only caters to both international as well as local tourists, but is also experiencing heavy footfall from eager visitors from within Kodaikanal, who have awaited the coming up of this luxury experience. With the resort looking forward to the liquor license and live music, the place promises to become the reigning queen of ‘The Princess of Hill stations’.

How to reach

Address: #22, La Providence, St. Mary’s Road, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu – 624101

By air: Madurai (136km)

By train: Kodai Road (100km)

By road: Easily accessible from all major cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Coinbatore, Kochi

Contact: 04542248800, reservations@thetamara.com, info@thetamarakodai.com

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Text Credits: Shibul Pavithran 

V. Nanammal is a 99-year-old teacher from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Nanammal practices the art of yoga and also teaches it to other enthusiasts. She is one of the the oldest yoga instructors in India, Nanammal teaches yoga to more than 100 students on a daily basis, and her students include people from all age groups. She started to learn the basics of yoga from her father, who was a martial artist, from the early age of 8. She is a natural early riser and still follows a lifestyle close to nature, she drinks 500 ml of water as soon as she wakes up, and uses neem sticks to brush her teeth, and even carries a few when she goes out of town. She eats healthy food at all times of the day, like fruits, milk with honey, and turmeric powder. And does not consume tea or coffee and completely avoids white sugar.

Despite her age she can effortlessly perform any yoga asana that you name, an ability that’s earned her countless accolades and awards. To this day, she’s never stepped into a hospital and seems to be more healthier than most millennials. She’s now become a celebrity in the world of  yoga, and wellness and videos of her performing complicated asanas have gone viral, attracting millions of views.

Nanammal believes that, in its true form, yoga isn’t about rigorous activity or getting all sweaty and breathless; it’s about peace and relaxation, and this is what she’s been practicing every day for nearly a century.

When it comes to yoga, Nanammal and her family, which includes her children, grandchildren, and even great-grand children, follow the traditions passed on from generation to generation. At the Ozone Yoga centre in Coimbatore, which they established in 1972, they teach their traditional style of yoga, which focuses on pranayama (breath control).

But you won’t find any Lululemon yoga pants or specialised yoga mats here. Nanammal only wears traditional clothing and practices on a simple carpet. She also asks her students to avoid meat, cigarettes, and alcohol.

Source: latestly.com

Her energy and enthusiasm in life is the result of yoga practice from childhood. Yoga has become a part of her lifestyle and makes her active and calm headed without any negativity. Even after winning Padma Shri, she has never been over-excited about it. She considers it as a recognition for yoga not herself, “I taught yoga to many people and it made them lead a healthy life. I consider the award as a recognition for this,” says Nanammal.

All this sets her apart from the billion-dollar yoga industry as it exists in urban India and around the world. The craze for power yoga, with its intense, brisk movements, and even hot yoga, performed in humid conditions, has fueled a boom in classes, clothing, and accessories, particularly in the US. For instance, Nanammal advises that the asanas of the surya namaskar routine shouldn’t be performed more than the traditional 12 times. And yet, yoga enthusiasts sometimes do it as an exercise, repeating the asanas as much as they can.

But the one thing that hasn’t changed is her focus on the original form of yoga, a world away from fads such as beer yoga or goat yoga. For her, teaching yoga is not a commercial or a business opportunity to trap the needy people, like the various Zumba, Gyming, various religious yoga groups or fitness trainers nowadays practice. But her focus is on teaching what she has done for  many years now, so that the next generation can learn and hold on to the real form and not the commercial remix versions.

The post Yoga Grandma Of India: Meet Nanammal, A 99 Year Old Who Defies All Odds appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Text Credits: Wilbin Eapen

There are millions in South India who admire Rajnikanth and such fans and admirers of the star are always waiting for that one chance to at least see him in real life or take a selfie with him, if possible. But situations were entirely different when he visited the victims from the police brutality that took place during the anti-Sterlite protest. The actor got stunned when a youngster named K. Santhosh Raj, who was under treatment on Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital, asked him “who are you?” but the actor maintained his calm and replied, “it’s me, Rajinikanth”.

Source: The Hindu

Santhosh is not just a young B Com graduate, but also founded ‘All College Student’s Federation’ which was an active part of the anti Sterlite protests from the beginning stage. On May 22, Santhosh and his members were marching towards the district collectorate and the march ended up in a aggressive lathi charge by the police and it left him injured with over nine sutures in the head. Not just Rajinikanth, Santhosh had asked the same questions towards most of the VIP’s who came to visit the injured people at the hospital. It was against Minister C. Raju, Santhosh first raised the question during his visit to the hospital on May 27. When the Minister went shocked, his supporters got agitated and it led to another conflict.

“We have been protesting in Thoothukudi for 100 days. In all those days, actor Rajinikanth did not come to meet us or express his support for us. Several people died during the shooting that took place at the protest while Several are still in a critical stage. It’s been 8 days since this happened. Why did he come today?” Santhosh later explained news reporters his reasons for asking the superstar such a question. However, the video which shows Rajinikanth approaching the man and facing such a strong response got viral on online handles. For a few hours the hashtag regarding I am Rajanikanth, #NaandhaanpaRajinikanth was trending on Twitter. On social media, some appreciated the way in which Rajinikanth accepted the man’s anger and moved away with the smile while some criticised the superstar’s late response and actions on the issue.

The post Thalaivar Rajinikanth Startled By A Question, “Who Are You?” appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.

Text Credits: Wilbin Eapen

In a country where disabilities are considered as disadvantages, there are a few differently abled Indians who really redefined the general misconceptions regarding them in society. These people of determination challenged everything which tried to bog them down and they achieved success with courage. Here’s a list of the top differently abled Indians who really deserve our respect.

Rajinder Singh Rahelu

Source: YouTube The Better India

When an eight month old kid from Jalandhar was contracted by polio, everyone thought it would be the end of light in his life. He could not walk but that disadvantage did not come in between his dreams. Rajinder won a silver medal in power-lifting, a sport which needs extreme physical strength, at the Commonwealth Games of 2014. Rajinder started by lifting 75kgs but this brave man ended up lifting up to 180kgs. He remains an inspiration for everyone who believes themselves as weak and unable.

Preethi Srinivasan

Source: rediff.com 

A sportswoman who led the Under 19 Cricket team of Tamil Nadu and was a champion swimmer, she was left a quadriplegic after meeting with an accident. But the tragedy did not paralyze the energy and spirit of the sportsperson inside her. She could have sat at home, got fed up of her life and blamed fate but Preethi decided to lend a hand for women who suffer from such physical challenges and she gave them hope to live. Preethi named her public charitable trust ‘Soulfree’ and she became the saviour of women with such struggles.

Sai Prasad Vishwanathan

Source: Indiawave

Born in Lalgudi, a small village in Tamil Nadu, Sai had faced physical challenges from childhood. He walked with the aid of crutches but it did not deter the will of this young enthusiastic man. Sai holds a Limca Book of Record for being the first ever Indian with disabilities to skydive from 14,000 feet. He also co-founded ‘Sahasra’, an organisation which prepares and support students who seek higher education. This young man is full of adventure and inspiration to many.

Arunima Sinha

Source: Startepreneur

Back in 2011, a young national level volleyball player was thrown out of a moving train by robbers and it cost her her left leg and left her an amputee. But Arunima was not ready to give up her life to a wheelchair, and instead resolved to climb Mount Everest. Against all challenges and pain, in 2013, she became the first-ever amputee to climb Mount Everest and the Indian Government has honoured her with a Padmasree. She also runs a school for underprivileged handicapped children. Maybe she lost a foot, but this brave woman has walked miles in terms of accomplishment.

Sudha Chandran

Source: bollywoodmdb.com

Nothing can make a true artist give up on their passion. Sudha was just a 16 year old girl when she met with an accident. Even though the accident wasn’t too serious, she lost her right leg due to the infection that occurred as a result of the medical negligence by hospital staff. Despite the setback, she was not ready to leave her passion behind. She got a Jaipur leg and went through physiotherapy for years and became one of the most renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and an actress.

The post Indians Who Saw Their Disabilities Not As Limitations But As Opportunities appeared first on FWD Life | The Premium Lifestyle Magazine |.