a sense of belonging

Ambrish Arora, founding principal of Studio Lotus believes that architecture is about cultural hegemony and identity that needs to go beyond image making

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The morning held promise. Everyone who has met Ambrish knows how genuinely giving he is. There is an honesty, authenticity, and openness about him, where he makes one feel seen; and heard. He walks in wearing a crisp white shirt, mustard-coloured pants, and a broad smile. Goa seems to suit him even more, he is relaxed and unhurried. “It’s such a beautiful space,” he says as he makes his way around Whalesong, an art and design gallery, where we were meeting for the interview and the photoshoot. It’s almost serendipitous, how this has played out.

Ranji Kelekar had recommended Whalesong to me two years ago. Back then Sonal Chowdhary, who is the cofounder was tied up with a wedding in the family and I was able to catch her for barely a few minutes. However, today was different, she was tending to the flowers in the garden, placing them in vases when we met, only to realise that Ambrish and her husband were schoolmates back in the day. It was already turning into a beautiful day, and we had barely started.