SITAR, SAR ANGI, AND DRUM.
WHAT DO YOU CHANT, O MAGICIANS?
SPELLS FOR AEONS TO COME.
WHAT DO YOU WEAVE, O YE FLOWER-GIRLS?
WITH TASSELS OF AZURE AND RED?
CROWNS FOR THE BROW OF A BRIDEGROOM,
CHAPLETS TO GARLAND HIS BED…”
The inimitable Sarojini Naidu wrote this verse on the bazaars of Hyderabad in the early 20th century. More than 100 years later, I’m walking through the same bazaars to pick up some souvenirs, and I find myself relating with Naidu’s sentiment. I see goldsmiths, fruit sellers, and merchants, like she did. I find the scent of ittar lingering in some lanes, and of spices in others; dosa batter is slathered onto hot griddles and plates of biryani are relished. My ears pick up the tolling of bells from tiny temples, and later, the evening azan from a masjid. There’s an entire ecosystem of activity in a two-kilometre radius around the Charminar, functioning like clockwork, at an unhurried pace, in understated harmony.
Back at Park Hyatt Hyderabad, our playground for this month’s cover shoot, things are no less fascinating. Featuring towering black pillars and an abstract 27-foot-tall white sculpture by John Portman in its grand lobby, the hotel makes a striking first impression. The 130-foot-long water feature on the floor of the atrium is mesmerising. Owing to its prime location in the city’s posh Banjara Hills area, the hotel is popular among locals. Its fine-dining venues—Tre-Forni and Rika—are a hit. While the expansive Tre-Forni offers home-style Italian recipes in its menu, the visually appealing Rika is one of the most famous Asian restaurants in the city. A particular spot at Rika—a mural by Bengaluru-based concept artist Sachin Samson—is enchanting enough for celebrity photographer Tarun Khiwal to frame cover girl Vaani Kapoor against it.
This story is from the February 2020 edition of Travel+Leisure India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2020 edition of Travel+Leisure India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Chasing Joy On Rottnest Island
Blue waters, shimmering sandy beaches, and historic sites-Rottnest in Western Australia is the quintessential island getaway. But what truly captivated our cover star Rashmika Mandanna is the happy and laid-back life that the island offers.
AS TIME GOES BY
A decade and a half after a life-changing sojourn in Vietnam, a writer returns to track the country's transformations-and his own.
PARIS MATCH
Royal roots and boho cool, French trad and cosmopolitan flair: Thomas Chatterton Williams visits the Marais and finds the perfect mix.
Spotted in the Wild
Tracking down a creature as evasive as the cheetah is never guaranteed. Jeff Chu treks to southern Africa to find big cats and fulfill a long-held family promise.
Tastes Like History
With a lineage spanning millennia, Armenian cuisine is an alchemist's dream. Veidehi Gite samples iconic dishes that evoke memories of home.
The Abode of Gods
Paphos, the ancient home of Aphrodite, is steeped in folklore. A walk around the old town can turn into a journey to the past; all you need is a little imagination.
Secrets of the Happy State
A road trip from Aizawl to Champhai along the Indo-Myanmar border leads to many revelations for Florina Soren.
Championing Cheer
Fostering mindful atmospheres within corporate environments, Dr Sharon Rajkumar stands as a beacon of positivity, guiding others towards a more fulfilling and balanced life. In a candid chat, the TEDx speaker shares her journey with Kiara Sengupta, on how serendipity led her to become the first happiness evangelist in India.
Doodling Up Joy
Turning embarrassing moments of daily life into comedic relief comes naturally to Neha Sharma. The CA-turned-doodle artist now harnesses the power of her paints to create relatable comics that mirror the everyday. In a hearty chat with Bayar Jain, the self-taught artist and storyteller outlines her journey and underlines the importance of art in bringing happiness.
A Novel Take On Happiness
With his 90th birthday on the horizon, India's most beloved author Ruskin Bond, talks to Eshita Srinivas about love affairs on ships, the excitement of train journeys, and his new book that he hopes will inspire young readers.