The Quest For True Tranquility

The Kumaon, Kasar Devi Village, Uttarakhand

Designed by Sri Lankan firm Zowa architects, The Kumaon attempts to find an ideal balance between luxurious modernism and the rustic charm of natural, serene village life. Using simple, natural materials the design involves minimal interventions to retain the ethos of the site while creating a hidden-gem that offers a holistic experience in the lap of nature that aspires to try and fulfill our age-old search for tranquility.

- Sharmila Chakravorty

If human race ever advances so much that we manufacture feelings, pack them up in pretty bottles and sell them, peace and tranquility would probably be bestsellers. But that’s just wishful thinking. In reality, our search for peace and tranquility has been historically documented. And much of this quest has lead us back into the lap of nature more often than not. And yet, ironically, we’ve never been shy of destroying nature in the name of development. Our cities and increasingly rural areas too, are being stripped off of their green cover at an alarming rate; of course, we realise this and are taking measures to reverse the years of damage we have unleashed on the planet. But to relax and rejuvenate, we often retreat to areas untouched by man, to bask in their bountiful glory, reconnect with the earth, the crisp air, and the sky.

This need has given rise to a variety of nature retreats and resorts all over the world. Especially in India, hill stations are not only a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of unorganised urban life, but also an ideal way to beat the harsh heat, pollution and stresses of daily life. The higher altitudes, thick natural cover, lush greens, clear skies, lesser people… everything contributes to a holistic experience, even if for a short while. But more often than not, the so-called nature resorts are not so natural. Often, you are enclosed in concrete boxes with views opening into other concrete boxes. In such scenarios, the search for tranquility often translates to urban luxuries in a semi-natural setting.