Kariappa House

Kariappa House is a property and establishment that reconciles the traditions and heritage of Pondicherry while also welcoming the trends and ideas brought about by global travel and the modern world. It is comprised primarily of four buildings, then accompanied by facilities and amenities, including a covered outdoor pool, a yoga hut, and tropical gardens, one of which has a reflexology path. The restoration projects for each one maintained the application of their original materials, using wood, mud, stone, and lime where necessary.

The actual Kariappa House is the main building, built in a Franco-Tamil style, and named after the parents of the owner, Jyoti Cariappa Saikia. Its layout, design, and decor were inspired by her childhood memories, which she and co-owner Kakoli Banerjee applied to the rest of the property. Alongside them were architect Mr. Arul and engineer Mr. A.K. Das, from INTACH's (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) Pondicherry division. Handling the work was the Viva Construction firm, led by Ms. Viviya C. Reddy.

Adopting French architecture, the natives integrated elements such as white plaster facades, embellished with pilasters and arched windows. For its native hallmarks, Franco-Tamil houses often include thinnais - covered porches and verandahs adorned with wooden posts, and thalvarams - the lean-to roof or cover, supported by pillars adorning the thinnai. The second floor features Parisian-style balconies covered by thalvarams usually associated with the ground floor verandah. Another notable Franco-Tamil element of the main building is the carved doors adorned with intricate reliefs above the portal, showcasing local craftsmanship.

Adhering to their mission to preserve Puducherry's Franco-Tamil heritage, the owners acquired two of the neighboring Tamil houses with the intent to restore and renovate them into accommodations. Due to the state of neglect and disrepair, the project ran into some difficulties early on, but the situation also provided many opportunities to adopt new and creative ways to showcase the area's local culture.

Tamil houses tend to be on the compact side, and though designed with tall ceilings that help with circulation, the floor space is usually maximized. In order to preserve the original, traditionally constructed walls and floors while expanding available space, old wooden beams and pillars were repurposed into supports for doorways and portals. The floors, on the other hand, were redone with the same handmade Attagundi tiles in order to preserve the aesthetics. Another old aspect of the house that was preserved is the artesian well. Instead of demolishing or sealing the well, it was integrated into a new kitchen area. The water contained within is still used for nourishing the garden's plants.

The Madras terrace roof is another signature of Franco-Tamil architecture, developed specifically in response to South India's warm and humid climate. Considered a disappearing form of local craftsmanship, owners Jyoti and Kakoli engaged Puducherry's artisans to carefully restore the roof to its original splendor.

Last but not least, the renovations reused the available old doors and windows, fitting them with parts refurbished from other old homes in the neighborhood or bought from local wood shops. The design of these Franco-Tamil doors often included native wood carving artistry embellished by colored glass inspired by the French.

The Bungalow, officially called the MANTRA building is much more modern, having been built during the 1970s. Kariappa House's amenities and facilities are mainly located here, including the AV room, the yoga hut, the fitness center, and the massage spa. Unlike the other accommodations, MANTRA is mainly offered as a long-term rental.

Since Kariappa House operates like a bed & breakfast, guests can look forward to delicious and energizing breakfasts featuring Franco-Tamil cuisine. For those who also want their lunches and dinners served at Kariappa, they should make arrangements beforehand, as these meals are prepared only upon request. There is also a shared Tea Room open 24 hours and stocked with tea, coffee, and homemade cookies.

As part of Kariappa House's initiatives to promote local businesses, the management can refer and recommend restaurants, stores, and eateries nearby. They may even have partners among these establishments that can provide personalized services.

If you're planning to visit Pondicherry and preparing an itinerary, Kariappa House has plenty of amazing activities in store for you. Kariappa is a popular retreat for creatives such as writers and artists because of its peaceful resort-like ambiance, while also in proximity to Pondi's cultural centers and historic neighborhoods.

Look for a cozy corner where you can write, paint, sketch, or compose at your leisure. The tea room is well stocked so grab a cuppa and a plate of cookies as a snack while you create. If you'd like to do some exercises, you can swim some laps in the covered pool or sign up for the yoga classes which are held at the MANTRA building. If you'd rather relax and unwind, book a session at the massage room and have a local therapist treat you with traditional massage techniques. It's also worth inquiring about Kariappa's event calendar, as the property hosts various cultural events, especially during festivals.

The neighborhood of Vaithikuppam is a fishing village that has maintained its industry for centuries. Feel free to step outside Kariappa House and interact with the locals, joining them for chats or a game of petanque. You can also visit the fisherfolk on the beach to see their day's catches, go out for snacks at local eateries, or help locals decorate their homes and streets for festivals.

Kariappa House can prepare a selection of fun, educational, and culturally enriching activities for you to try during your stay.

They have numerous partners and friends in local communities, including artisans and teachers who run learning workshops. The Cooking Class and Market Tour will take you around Pondi's bustling shopping neighborhoods, such as Goubert Market. Here, you can browse and buy souvenirs, snacks, and ingredients for the dishes you'll be learning about. Golden Bridge Pottery is a local workshop that welcomes students looking to learn pottery and ceramics. Similarly, Kariappa also has a partner block printing workshop offering classes for textile block printing.

For days you'd love to go out and explore Pondicherry, Kariappa House can arrange personalized tours based around secret spots only locals would know. You can also stick to the usual tourist destinations, such as going on a heritage tour to see religious sites like Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and Notre Dame des Anges. The beaches are also filled with opportunities for socializing, as well as watersport activities.

You could also visit many other important sights outside Pondicherry proper. Auroville is a utopian township populated by like-minded people from all over the world. Aside from its Visitor Center, it also has the Mason & Co. Chocolate Factory, which offers tours and chocolate-making workshops. One of the most ancient attractions in Pondi, however, is Arikamedu, an invaluable archaeological site that was once a Roman trading community. Aside from the ruins, there's also a museum with exhibits detailing more information as well as the artifacts discovered.