Saturday, September 29, 2012

SWAPNIL JOSHI’S 2BHK HOME PAYS A FITTING TRIBUTE TO LORD GANESHA EVERY YEAR

Actor Swapnil Joshi welcomes the elephant god with excitement every year,

SWAPNIL JOSHI’S 2BHK HOME PAYS A FITTING TRIBUTE TO LORD GANESHA EVERY YEAR

Actor Swapnil Joshi became a household name when he played Lord Krishna in the TV series Shri Krishna on Doordarshan. He became the heartthrob of millions through Marathi movies like Checkmate and Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai and several television serials. However, no matter how busy he has been over the years, he has always ensured that he keeps two days free during the Ganpati festival.
    As a tradition, Swapnil keeps the Ganpati every year at his apartment at Thakur Village, Kandivali (E). This year too Swapnil had welcomed the elephant god for one-and-a-half days. However, this year's highlight was the Lord's idol, which was in panchdhaatu. Until last year, Swapnil used to celebrate an eco-friendly Ganpati with shaadu murti. This year he has gone a step ahead and had kept a panchdhaatu idol which he plans to keep in the future
as well.
    The Joshi family's 2BHK 1140 sqft apartment is on the 27th floor. Swapnil has been staying here since 1998 with his wife Leena and his parents. Swapnil's mother and wife have done the interiors, keeping each family member’s tastes in mind. The decor takes on a special sparkle during the Ganesh festivities.
    Although the decoration surrounding the idol is simple, it holds visitors spellbound. One gets the idea of the interiors through the creative main door. The Warli painting beside the main door wall looks unique. The brass urli near the entrance with its colourful flowers gives the space a welcoming look. The huge wooden door with two metal rings completes the ethnic feel.
    The interior is a mix of traditional and contemporary décor. As you enter, the first room on the left is the kitchen. Walk past this, and come into Swapnil's living room - a space that truly comes alive during the Ganpati festival, with its small wooden stage for the Ganesh idol. Artificial flowers and creepers on the ceiling add to divine atmosphere. The small stage is decked with silk dupattas and various Paithani saris that enhance the Ganpati decoration. The small stage also has Lord Swami Samarth's photo frame.
    The French windows need to be closed for the Ganesh festival, but at other times, this is where the family members like to relax, Swapnil’s mother Anuradha says. There is not much furniture in the living room and this ensures easy movement. There are four chairs and a wooden cabinet in the living room. The off-white colour of the room gives the illusion of a larger space. Everyone's favourite Lord Ganesha has been kept in the wooden cabinet.
    There is one bedroom on the right of the living room, and one on the left. One bedroom has a beautiful temple in marble with photos of several gods. The second bedroom has a lavish theme. The double bed in the centre with maroon cushions looks different.
    Each room in Swapnil's house has French windows which allows you to enjoy nature and also provides ample space for ventilation. There is no need to switch on the lights during the day thanks to the ample natural light coming in through the French windows.
    Swapnil's house depicts positive vibes and the Ganesha festival that comes once every year brings in the positive energy for the family members, says Swapnil. This is the time of year that they most look forward to, as Lord Ganesh brings this home alive.
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