What we say

At SS101, we seek people with integrity and places with story. So, when Della Banerji casually mentioned, that thirty Baiga and Gond tribals had collaborated on the artistic creation of their private home in Pench, I knew this was a story worth exploring.

The indigenous Baiga, so often forgotten, are the original subsistence dwellers who live at one with nature’s elements and possess unsung artistic talent. You can still see them in the surrounding simple villages, riding bullock cards, children waving as you pass by. The Gonds also from the region, are agriculturalists who have become more renowned for their distinctive art forms using natural colours and depicting folklore and nature.

But, this isn’t just a home decorated by tribal artists – it’s a creation woven around the five elements of water, earth, fire, wind and ether. This stunning four bedroomed private home, now available to hire in its entirety, it is a passion project that others can now enjoy. Not a hotel where you’re in transit, but somewhere to truly live whilst visiting the jungle, albeit temporarily. I imagined sauntering outside captivated by the early morning birdsong, chai in hand, in my PJ’s! Or photographers sprawled around the living room, on laptops, editing shots that could be abandoned mid-session when something caught their eye outside. You see, there are no boundaries or fences here, and with that comes the thrill of chance sightings; add to that a waterhole and machan hiding in the long grass beyond the pool, and dare one say, ‘chance sightings guaranteed?’

Back inside, and Gonds’ creation story unfolds across a vast ceiling mural – how fitting that they should share their story of creation as this new home and concept in tourism for Madhya Pradesh was itself, being born.

Our three words:

Luxurious | Rooted | Alive

Philippa…