King’s Mansion

Homing In with
                             ___________________ LETHA JOSE

Step into the royal splendour of Rajya Sabha MP M. J. Varkey’s home

There is an unmistakably regal touch about the half-century-old bungalow of Rajya Sabha MP M. J. Varkey. The bungalow, located on the outskirts of a small town, Pala, in ‘God’s own country’, was bought by Vakkachen (as he is popularly known) about 25 years back. The ‘house-proud’ man that he is, Vakkachen paid minute attention to detail while refurbishing the bungalow. Thus, it has a distinct colonial appearance, while, at the same time, it incorporates the traditional Indian trisala (courtyard surrounded by chambers on three sides) concept.

Almost every room in the house is furnished with antiques which once stood in royal palaces. Soon after he bought the bungalow, Vakkachen had made another prized acquisition — Woodstock Palace, the summer home of the erstwhile Baroda kings in Ooty. He and his wife, Lakshamma, carefully chose several items from the palace for their residence in Pala and the end result is a tastefully-done home.

The three chambers or wings of the house is connected by a U-shaped inside verandah that runs along the house, wrapping the central courtyard, which has been converted into a well-manicured lawn. The lawn is the favourite spot for the family. Cast iron benches and a swing hanging from a gulmohar tree set a picture perfect backdrop for such gatherings. This central courtyard does away with the need for artificial lighting during the day, while also ensuring that all the rooms in the house remain airy.

The front door opens to a small lobby which takes you to the inside verandah. The wing to the left is the domain of his family, comprising wife Lakshamma, son Devasiachen, daughter-in-law Anna and three grandsons, who Vakkachen dotes on. ‘‘Earlier, Vakkachen used to be very finicky about keeping the house spic and span. But now, even when the boys spill or splash watercolours on the floor or walls, he finds it aesthetically appealing.’’ Perhaps this is what gives this bungalow a lived-in look without overwhelming you with all the antique and regal objects. To the right are the drawing and dining rooms as well as the kitchen. This has ensured that even while entertaining guests, the family’s privacy is maintained.

The lobby and the verandah are dotted with antique pieces at regular intervals. The two large antique doorstoppers just outside the drawing room makes you anticipate something rather spectacular inside. But there seems a minimal approach in furnishing the drawing room. However, as you sit down and take in the ambience, you notice the beautiful period lampshades, an antique clock, a lovers seat and other royal knick-knacks. The antique dining table has a key to convert this to almost half its original size. However, the piece de resistance in the room is a colossal rosewood mantelpiece from Woodstock Palace, which has been cleverly converted into a showcase.

All the bedrooms in the other two wings open out to the connecting verandah, which, in turn, looks into the central courtyard. Furniture and decor in the bedrooms have also been kept simple and functional with little else other than the solid, hand-carved beds and side-tables in rosewood and teak. There is an underlying simplicity about this spacious and airy bungalow despite all the regal paraphernalia. The Vakkachen couple has not fallen prey to the temptation to turn their house into a museum of sorts. And, it is this simplicity that translates into an effect that is both striking and elegant.

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