By Aparna Dedhia
During my visit to Aerie, Mamata’s tranquil retreat nestled in the Western Ghats, Eckhart Tolle’s profound words resonated deeply: “You are not separate from the whole. You are one with the sun, the earth, the air. You don’t have a life. You are life.” Aerie, with its minimalist design and seamless integration with nature, seemed to embody this essence in the most exquisite way.
Perched gracefully overlooking the Mulshi Lake, Aerie stands as a testament to the harmonious dance between humanity and the natural world. Designed by Mamata and her daughter Natasha, the home’s understated elegance and clean lines reflect a deliberate choice to celebrate oneness with the environment. Here, the boundaries between indoors and outdoors dissolve, allowing nature to flow effortlessly into every moment of life.
Mamata’s late mother-in-law, who once enjoyed the view of the sea from her Bandra home, had always wished that every home could look out upon a water body. Though she is no longer with them, Mamata and Abhay have beautifully fulfilled her wish by creating a sanctuary that gazes serenely upon Mulshi Lake. As the rains cascaded and the foggy clouds engaged in a playful game of luka-chupi (hide-and-seek) with the lake, I could almost hear the lake teasing us, “Now you see me, now you don’t.”
In the early hours of the morning, as I meditated and felt the mist enveloping the landscape, I envisioned cocooning myself in this serene haven with a steaming mug of coffee, lost in writing heartfelt pieces inspired by the beauty surrounding me. The sense of oneness I experienced was profound. I imagined returning to Aerie, either alone or with friends, to indulge in the joy of watching the lake’s playful dance of concealment and revelation, to read Murakami’s stories with a cup of masala chai on the simple yet inviting porch, or to engage in lighthearted conversations with friends. Also for a touch of fun, there’s a pool table where one can test their skills.
As I stood there, enveloped by the lush greenery of the Western Ghats and the gentle murmur of the lake, the quote from Tolle took on vivid clarity. It felt as though the universe had crafted Aerie as a reminder that just as God loved the birds and invented trees, mankind, in its adoration for these creatures, built homes close to them. At Aerie, I felt an intimate connection to the natural world, where the essence of life is not merely possessed but deeply experienced in its purest, most authentic form.
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