Restaurant Decor: Authentic Tulu food in a rustic Tulunad setting

At our last visit back home to Mangalore, our family was treated to a meal at Guthu Hospitality. The meal was excellent yes, and the ambiance definitely made the taste buds work at their best! There's something about tasting a cuisine in its hometown, cooked with authentic local ingredients, and eaten in an authentic setting, that makes the culinary experience extremely delightful!

Promoted by Sandeep Shetty, and managed by Sylvester Rai, Guthu Hospitality is all about eating an authentic Bunt** meal, in an authentic setting. The restaurant actually has 3 levels – the “Atta” (the Tulu word for attic) level which is made with a thatched roof and other locally available material, the “Panchayat” level, on which this post is all about, and a more modern level which is like a regular well done-up restaurant.

"The Panchayat” caught my fancy because of the rustic setting. The use of everyday things in the décor make it oh so ogle-full! If you visit the village home of any “old and moneyed” family in and around Mangalore, you are sure to see all these things, some of them in the garden, some of them in the shed, and some inside the main house itself. I’ll point them out in the photographs* as we go along :)

That's actually a local fishing boat hanging from the roof. When I clicked this picture at mid-day,
the hotel staff were busy 'sturdy'ing up the decor, and generally readying
the place for their dinner guests. Mangalore has the sea and lots of rivers,
so in the villages it is not unusual for a family to own a boat like this.

Rattan chairs, copper vessels and cutlery - such a simple table
arrangement, yet so perfect!

Quite a center piece there - furniture, kitchen implements and brass heirloom lamps. Let me
know if you need help recognizing these items.

Bunts are traditionally an agricultural community. It is very common to
see bullocks ploughing their fields, and bullock carts were an absolute necessity
especially when it was time to take produce to the market.

The water well, the lifeline of every rural community. Don't miss the 'kodapana'
or the copper pot used to draw water.

I couldn't identify what these were, but Padmavani was kind enough to email me
and let me know that,"the table is padimancha, a threshing table, the stick on the right looks like
a pounding stick called ujjre. The two on the extreme left are the cattle yolks
for ploughing called Nuga."


This is a 'gurke' more commonly known as 'mande'- often seen in bathing areas and kitchens.
It consists of a big pot affixed to a cemented or stone structure.
Usually, there is an opening on the outer wall through which a fire is lit,
to heat up the water in the vessel. Hot water for everyone, through the day!


These "ari mudis" are common sights in village homes during the harvest season.


A picture of a Yakshagana' artiste. Yakshagana is a popular dance-drama
art form in Mangalore's coastal belt.


On the wall here, are the rope and lashes used in
the "Kambla" or buffalo race - which is a popular and ancient local
sport in this part of the country.

These are called 'korumbu' and their uses are many. Working in the fields under the
blazing sun, workers use them as caps to protect themselves. They are also
used as makeshift utensils. Out in the villages I have seen locals pick up
berries and fruit and carry them home in these, and here they are, making
such an interesting statement on the wall!
(Ignore the member of my family walking down the stairs)


These flat decorations on the wooden frame are called 'kudupu' or 'thatti kudupu' and they are used
as lids on vessels. The wooden frame is usually used as a clothes horse. Here, the frame acts
as a room divider, and visually separates the eating area from the washrooms
in the restaurant. The 'kudupus' are made out of wild
creepers and they make an interesting decor statement here.

Notice the unpainted laterite brick walls, the red oxide floor, bamboo roof, and the areca trellises hanging on the pillars. Very rustic, very charming!

*Thanks to Mangalorean.com for willingly sharing the pictures of Guthu with me. Only the last two pictures are mine. Some of the interior work was still in progress during my visit at Guthu, and when I found their pictures more 'complete', Roshan was very co-operative, and gave me instant permission! Many thanks, Roshan!

Thanks also to Padmavani Karkera and to my dad for supplying the Tulu words for the descriptions in the pictures, and for chipping in with some editing suggestions on this piece.

**FYI, the enterprising Bunt community is responsible not only for the famous Udupi and Kundapur restaurants all over the world, but also for its contribution to India's Celebrity A list - Aishwarya Rai, Suniel Shetty and Shilpa Shetty!

DIY: Jonathan Fong Style

Recession seems to be the most discussed topic these days. While the R word is affecting each one of us in some way or the other, it shouldn’t deter you from trying new décor ideas. I stumbled upon this site which gives wonderful décor ideas using things that you find around you.

The pictures above show how you can create your own side table using a wok, create fabulous votives using cinnamon, out-of-the-box ideas with flowers, and wall makeover using fabrics. Impressed?

JonathanFongStyle.com is a site that shows you how you can create beautiful décor without spending a bomb. Jonathan is the author of bestselling books such as Flowers That Wow, Walls That wow, and Parties That Wow. His site has enough gift wrapping tutorials, unusual yet easy flower décor ideas, wall makeovers and many more decor ideas that can transform your home from drab to fab! So, stop cribbing about recession..…join in the DIY party - Jonathan Fong Style!

Kye designs - handmade with love

Kalyani Ganapathy has some really special designs at her studio Kye (meaning "hand" in Kannada, and I suspect it's a play on the alphabets in her name as well!) in Chennai.

When I looked at her work, I absolutely loved it. But when I delved deeper and realized that each piece comes straight from her heart, and she draws a lot of inspiration from her childhood in South India, I was impressed. The designs are vivid, colorful and it is very obvious that they are drawn from real life dreams and experiences. Her latest collection Cute celebrates little-girl moments - stuff all of us have gone through growing up, and a collection dedicated to remembering those nostalgic moments, and bringing out the child in each of us. Have a look!






That was from the Cute collection (I so loved the pigtail canvas and cushion!), and what follows is some of Kalyani's earlier work. These too are inspired from her life experiences. This next one for instance is about Dobby, a dog she once owned, and apparently loved a lot!





Kye also retails in Mumbai and New Delhi. Head to her website for more details.

Book Review and Feature:Decorating Asia

If you wish to decorate your home in the Asian style, this is the book for you. It goes beyond the usual gaudy , much-hyped Asian themes, and presents ideas to recreate an original Asian feel. Tips include the right colors, the right curios to pick up on Asian trips, and excellent ways to present them. A book worth picking up, because you will read it once, then read it over and over again!


Decorating Asia is one of the few decorating books that not only lives up to expectations, but goes beyond - to surprise, stun and delight the reader! The book is the brainchild of Tatjana Schantz Johnson, and she has collaborated with writer Marion Bravo-Bhasin and photographers Alan Lee and Edward Hendricks.

The book is all about decorating homes in the Asian style, and 'visits' most of Asia - with chapters dedicated to China, Singapore, India, Cambodia, Lao, Vietnam, Mongolia, Thailand, Japan, Philippines and Indonesia. The collaborators have managed to bring out the essence of each country's decor styles and put them together with helpful suggestions. In the book, they also 'bring out' colors for each Asian country, indeed a very handy hint for those who want to start somewhere in their attempts to decorate in this style!

An interesting aspect of the book is how unexpected the content all is. The section on India, for instance, skipped the predictable handicrafts, carved furniture and Tajmahal memorabilia ideas. Instead, it focused on the colors that naturally come across in India's everyday life - pictures depicting quiet country scenes, village women in colorful saris, red hot chillis arranged on a cool blue platter, the beauty of Bollywood posters, etc. Simple, yet unconventional ideas for wall paints, living room decor and creating unconventional India corners in your home (including redoing an old cupboard with Indian colors, and a stunning idea for a living room that doesn't scream India, yet portrays it in a gentle, dignified and harmonious manner).

The book itself is anything but conventional. It is all about moving away from stereotypical decor ideas, and focuses on a more positive, modern way of integrating the styles of Asia into any home. It does not dictate, but gently nudges readers to think for themselves, and incorporate fresh new ideas for decorating their own homes. It is also a good idea to read this book, if you are traveling to an Asian country, because once you have read it, you will stay clear of the over-hyped souvenir shops, and look in smaller, more real places, for real pieces of decor to carry back with you.

When I look at the book very objective ly, it is difficult to say what it lacks. I found though that some countries seemed to have been better researched than others. The chapter on Singapore, for instance gave a lot of coverage to artist Ketna Patel's interpretations of this cosmopolitan land. Of course, this does encapsulate the essence of Singaporean style really well, but it left me disappointed.

All in all, it's a beautiful book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of doing up their spaces in the Asian style.

Key Bunch Verdict: Unique, thoroughly enjoyable!

Some of the pictures from the book follow, and this is an exclusive especially for The Keybunch readers.

All photos are courtesy Page One Publications, and cannot be distributed or reproduced without written consent from them.

This contemporary desert toned seating area takes its lead from
the sandy, orange and yellow shades of the Rajasthan
scene depicted in the painting.

A teak four poster bed plays up its jungle allure with vivid
shades of green and uplifting prints.

Beautiful textiles such as an Obi or Kimono belt can be used to dress up
a bookcase or a table.

Moghul Luxe - Soft velvet, deep tones and an embroidery art form
that the Moghuls picked up from the Middle East.

An old Ikebana printed glass vanity table and glass table lamp by
Knowles and Christou pays tribute to the delicate beauty
of a single branch and blossoms

A delicate balance. Look for simple and subtle items
that will add a Japanese feel to your home.

A simple table setting for two. For the Japanese, presentation is
everything when it comes to food.

Maxi pattern living. Pattern on pattern on pattern works when
the colors are coherent such as this violet toned seating area.

In Singapore, artist Ketna Patel's studio is a visual testament
on how to live with art. Lampshades and lounges are just a
few of the vehicles she uses to display her vivid
and eclectic collages of Asian life.

This light and airy contemporary living area also evokes old world charm
with its large, dark furniture and Asian accents.

Simplicity, balance and color instantly ooze the Chinese aesthetic in this bedroom.

This bedroom balances out the bright tones with a simple patterned bed spread,
symmetry and the serene vibe of the monk painting overhead

The orange colored altar table lends itself beautifully for a unique display.

A little drama goes a long way in creating an inviting and luxurious bedroom.

An old Thai cow pull gracefully comes into the home when transformed into a votive and flower holder.

A sitting area from a room at the new Majestic Hotel in Singapore.
Artist Justin Lee's rendition of the national flag is actually
a montage of tropical flowers and the Chinese character "xi", which represents double happiness.

Just another reminder that these images are not to be copied or reproduced without explicit permission from Page One Publications.