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Officer's choice

Refined taste is a tax-free asset Reddy owns while Anasuya has taken upon herself to safeguard it, says Harjeet Kaur Allagh

G.V.Narapa Reddy and Anasuya have built their home in the peaceful and tranquil Officers Clony that provides a perfect setting for a retired officer to pursue his interests like yoga and meditation! Narapa Reddy is a retired deputy commissioner of sales tax.

The porch has wooden shelves decorated with clay pieces and terracotta pots. The vibrant and colourful sitting room is sunny and airy. Netted ivory backs tone down the rich upholstered sofas that are covered in woven maroon fabric. The elegance of the silken ivory curtains is enhanced by the velvet maroon valences. The sofas have silk cushions lined on them. Besides, there are two low-seated jute woven chairs dominated by a large Chinese Ming vase. Above the sofa are three huge Tanjore paintings with two maidens in bridal finery paying obeisance to Goddess Lakshmi on either side. A long wooden cabinet that encases exquisite pieces of porcelain and bone china separates the sitting from the dining area. A wooden arch attached to the cabinet leads to the dining area. The other side of the cabinet displays an array of sparkling crystal and cutlery. An eye-catching arrangement of different bottles filled with preserved beans and corn in a solution of vinegar on the antique rosewood table adds a refreshing flavour to the dine sessions. The tussar silk drapes lend an ethnic touch.

Flower power

Exclusively Anasuya's domain, the kitchen is compact and has a huge brass statue of Vaidehi placed near the entrance. A carved rosewood side table inlaid with antique tiles has a black clay pot full of exotic tropical flowers like Bird of Paradise. Right beneath it is a porcelain statue of a lady holding a peacock on her shoulder with its plume touching the floor. The puja room has a door full of tiny brass bells that tinkle when the door is opened. Both Narapa Reddy and Anasuya are deeply religious and practice meditation daily. Anasuya attends bhajans whenever time permits her.

The master bedroom has a medium size cedar wood bed but with a large headboard and attached sideboards. Smooth satin bed sheets and cushions are in beige and maroon. The curtains are also of the same colour but have stripes and covered with beige silk valences. Narapa Reddy is health conscious and plays tennis to keep fit.

He also follows a strict diet of organic food. Anasuya takes pleasure in playing badminton daily. She needs her daily dose of telly soaps and loves watching movies. Friendship is something which she believes in cherishing throughout life.

A simple homemaker, Anasuya's home and family is her first priority. The walls of the bedroom are adorned with a Tanjore painting of Balakrishna and Jaipuri kundan work on marble.

Antique furniture

Their daughter, Archana, is married to Srinivas Reddy and settled in the US. She is an engineer working for the New York City Group. Their son Ashwin has done his M.B.A and works for Aurobindo Pharmacy at Hyderabad. His room is a veritable storehouse of antique furniture. An intricately carved bed with old tiles inlaid in it are surrounded by antique carved wooden brackets and mirrors that have bone china and porcelain dolls of different hues and sizes. The bright blue bedspread has a number of soft pillows and a red heart shaped cushion too. Ashwin loves to watch T.V and latest movies besides hanging out with friends. "He will soon tie the knot to Shweta, his fiancée and the home is being given a facelift to welcome the new member of the family," says Anasuya proudly.

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