Considered to be the world’s first Indian art hotel, Le Sutra was opened by Mumbai-based real estate developer and hospitality player, Bajaj Group in January 2010. Bajaj Group has converted its existing hotel ‘Hotel Pali Hill’ into the Le Sutra art hotel. This unique hotel has been designed to portray eastern concepts of the human consciousness with each floor representing a level of spirituality. The higher the floor, the lighter is the state of mind.
Mitali Bajaj, head of Dr Art + Design, the design studio behind Le Sutra stated that the uniqueness of the hotel is the virtual art installation where every element narrates a story from Indian ethos.
Le Sutra’s interior decor concepts reflect the enormous selection of stories that make up Hindu lore. The stories are depicted through wall murals, installations and art pieces that double up as furniture. For instance, the three-pronged Trishul – a symbol of creation, maintenance and destruction – is designed to function as a coat rack.
The three levels of the hotel represent the ‘Gunas’, which sum up worldview in Indian philosophy. Gunas are tendencies and attributes that exist within people, nature and things, and thoughts and emotions, essential to the evolution of consciousness. Three floors are designed according to the three Gunas: Tamas is the first floor, representing colourful, opulent, intricate and erotic characters. The second floor is Rajas representing vibrant, action, passion, vivacious and stylish characteristics. Sattva is the third floor featuring minimalist décor representing celestial and ethereal aesthetics.
The 16 rooms at Le Sutra are based on ‘characters’: Ravana, Ashoka, Buddha, or ‘characteristics’: sensuality, love, purification, inspired by Indian mythos. Every room is a virtual canvas where the story forms the guest experience. It is subtly composed through art – paintings, artifacts, chairs, inlays and sculptures; narrating their part and showcasing diverse themes and philosophies.
The IHEA awards were presented on 15 January 2011.
