Avanti Kalagram.. Where you learn the Art of Living

Deepak Bachal ,Director

Avanti Kalagram according to him personifies the Indian adage: ShubhLaabh!

Most related this with religion. In reality, there exists a deeper and fuller meaning to it which is that you earn a living by doing the right things which justifies the reason behind Avanti Kalagram and its existence. It earns for its owners by serving genuine needs of the society AND while doing, gives back to society and nature in equal measure!

It all started when Architect Deepak Bachal, then working for Bharti Vidya Peeth, MIT, and ARAI, thought of a place far removed from the usual hustle- bustle of Pune with artists from various streams staying, mingling & pursuing their passion day and night! It started to fructified in 2002 when he first procured his “dreamland” & over time acquired the size we know of, including a its own natural 200-feet waterfall which comes alive in the monsoons, a cliff on one end giving unrestricted view of the mountains &valleys beyond, and the backwaters of the Khamboli Dam-elements meant to bring out the best in any artist, be it a painter, sculptor, potter or even a photographer!

Owning land in India is far removed from using it to ones needs. It took another 6-7 years to get the right permissions and NOCs and Avanti Kalagram finally came about in 2008/ 2009!

From the very beginning, Deepak, the Architect and nature-lover wanted his place to be in the midst of nature where he could be found there doing things he enjoyed most. If in the process any income came about, it would be more than welcome! Towards this, he has retained the original, natural rustic look &charm of the place with extensive use of local materials including bamboo giving the place a minimalist though functional &charming look. It has helped keep maintenance and related costs low while making it look very lively and positive.

Living spaces (rooms) though are a different story here with all the trappings of any classy urban living space. These remain Avanti Kalagram’s main touristy-USPswhich include hotel-styled rooms, bamboo cottages, large family areas accommodating up to 16 adults or even tents (when the weather permits!). And lastly, containers! Yes, Deepak the Architect, with his thoughts about recycling, re purposing and minimizing waste, has carved beautiful and comfy rooms out of discarded marine containers. These, as also most of the other accommodations are strategically located on the edge of a cliff affording an unrestricted 180-degree view of the valley beyond! With the view comes the air, pure, cool and clean! Rooms do have A/cs, though the architect’s deft designing and use of locally-available materials make most rooms habitable in every sense & in every season.

A successful architect with immense experience behind him, Deepak is fully aware that what one gives out comes back, more so when it’s about people. He thus works with and employs local talent, be it as artisans who teach &assist with crafts or in the upkeep, maintenance and running of the establishment. Village women in particular have been trained &employed in numbers, be it for general upkeep or cooking &serving. Besides their goodwill, it has added a rustic charm to the place which is visible even in the food which is both veg and non-veg with a touch of the rural with a mix of the traditional and seasonal. Cooked by locals, it is more than satisfying to most urban palette! Working with locals extends to giving them space to create &sell their wares like handicrafts, paintings, pottery etc. The place being a magnet for the well-healed, orders do come regularly for handicrafts which are divided among artisans which gives them steady incomes with a sense of self-worth and recognition.

Knowing the urbanite’s needs, the Kalagram also has a swimming pool, indoor and outdoor games, karaoke, music etc. With its vantage location, it also has adventure sports like rock climbing and rappelling which Deepak wants to upgrade with the right set of people in his employment to include Burma bridge, rope cycle, hurdle walk etc.

Avanti Kalagramis recognized and felicitated for what it does for the locals and the environment nearby. It has been recognized by the DC Handicrafts, Govt of India. Also, MTDC has recognized it under its “Mahabhraman” initiative, a special category under tourism.
Avanti Kalagram offers varied experiences! To casual visitors, it provides great ambience and experiences. To investors, it’s even better! It offers on sale the med plots measuring 3000 sq ft each which can be converted into perfect week-end homes. The last lot had containers, the next could be deck homes made of wood with a 180-degree valley view followed by Bamboo homes! With an expected ROI of 8-9% over the contracted period of 3 years, it could be way above the measly 3-4% that one gets from Pune’s realty! The latter is one of the reasons, it is doing so well with patrons spread all across the country- as also the world!

Speaking of patrons, Avanti Kalagram has its more than its share with the likes of Loksatta and Sakal carrying out more than once, entire articles dedicated to it. International publications too are a regular.

The future shall see Avanti Kalagram develop into a model self-sustaining eco-friendly village of great interest to those with time on hands but no fruitful way to expend it like Senior Citizens and Singletons who come to Pune on short durations. Surrounded by people and interesting activities throughout the day, it would be a great way to spend time, learn new things, and of course, while away time!

Come to Avanti Kalagram, the perfect getaway! It’s so good you would want to stay here forever!