A Welcoming Living Space
Shakti Mohan's home opens into a warm and inviting living area that immediately showcases a blend of traditional aesthetics and modern comfort. Dominated
by rich brown cabriole sofa sets, the space is arranged to offer a perfect vantage point for a large television, complemented by an air purifier for a healthy environment. Central to the arrangement is a distinctive square coffee table, thoughtfully adorned with various plants, a napkin holder, and condiment containers, adding a touch of everyday functionality and natural beauty. The room is further enhanced by striking decorative elements, including a prominent Buddha frame and individual Buddha statues placed in each corner, imbuing the space with a sense of peace and spirituality. A glimpse of personal history is visible on the TV cabinet, where a framed photograph of her sister Neeti and her husband Nihar Pandya rests. Additional wooden pieces on a glass table behind the sofa contribute to the overall traditional ambiance. This area is not merely decorative; it's a hub of shared experiences, highlighted by a touching anecdote of Mukti Mohan receiving a dancing Lord Ganesha idol from the creative team of Dance India Dance (DID), a testament to the personal significance held within these walls. Shakti herself emphasized that her parents were instrumental in designing this part of the house, infusing it with Indian patterns and imprinting it with a lifetime of cherished family memories.
Family Dining Area
The dining area within Shakti Mohan's residence is a testament to communal living and shared meals, designed to accommodate a significant family gathering. It features an eight-seater dining table, signifying the large family unit, which includes, as mentioned by Mukti, eight members in total, counting her two brothers-in-law. The table itself is a sophisticated piece, characterized by a glass top and a sturdy wooden base, paired with minimalist chairs in neutral tones that rest on wooden legs, embodying a clean and uncluttered design philosophy. The perimeter of this dining space is further enhanced by wooden frames exhibiting intricate Indian patterns, a detail that echoes the home's overall traditional influence. These frames are complemented by vibrantly colored wall hangings, injecting a lively and artistic flair into the environment. Shakti fondly recalled this table as a place where numerous family meals have been shared, humorously noting that her sisters likely spent more time eating there than she did, underscoring the lively and memorable moments that transpired in this space.
Shakti's Personal Retreat
Ascending to the first floor reveals Shakti Mohan's personal den, a space meticulously designed to exude comfort and a minimalist aesthetic. This room offers a serene escape, featuring a clean white wardrobe and adjacent cabinets that are neatly organized and hold a collection of books, suggesting a quiet space for reading and reflection. The television area is thoughtfully arranged with a table holding various personal items and a comfortable sofa positioned nearby, creating a cozy spot for relaxation and entertainment. A significant feature of this room is its attached balcony, which provides a beautiful scenic view, offering a private outdoor extension to her personal sanctuary. Interestingly, Shakti revealed that this room was once her personal space before she moved out. However, it has since been occupied by her father, who has made it his room, a subtle yet poignant indicator of evolving family dynamics and the shared use of spaces within the home.
The Verdant Terrace Garden
The undisputed highlight of Shakti Mohan's Mumbai home is her expansive terrace garden, a breathtaking oasis teeming with life, housing an impressive collection of over 400 diverse plants. This vibrant green space, affectionately dubbed "Mohan Bagaan," is a sanctuary of biodiversity, featuring everything from the striking colors of purple bougainvillea to the natural bounty of a chiku tree, alongside a wide array of other shrubs and plants. It has been cultivated to offer a tranquil environment, perfect for meditation and unwinding. Shakti shared a truly memorable and slightly startling anecdote from her experiences in this garden: during a meditation session performing 'savasana' (a yoga posture), she was momentarily surrounded by vultures and eagles. These birds, mistaking her stillness for vulnerability, began to circle overhead. Reacting quickly, Shakti stood up and managed to shoo them away with her yoga mat, a vivid illustration of the wild encounters that can occur even in an urban garden. The profound impact of such a space is further illuminated by insights from Dr. Krithishree Somanna, a Consultant Physiatrist, who explained that gardening significantly contributes to reducing anxiety, tension, and mood disturbances. Nurturing plants fosters empathy and emotional stability, with small achievements like a new bloom or a harvested fruit providing a sense of accomplishment, thereby boosting confidence and reinforcing positive thoughts. Engaging with soil and greenery reconnects individuals with nature, akin to mindfulness practices that offer respite from daily stressors. Even a modest balcony garden cultivates responsibility, a sense of achievement, and a connection with the natural world, enhancing mood, diminishing negative thoughts, and sharpening attention span and creativity. This purposeful engagement supports cognitive function and may offer long-term benefits against cognitive decline, while building self-esteem as individuals take pride in nurturing growth.
