A LUCKNOW HOME THAT REIMAGINES THE RAMAYANA THROUGH ARCHITECTURE

The Ramayana House by Envisage is conceived not as a themed residence, but as a lived narrative where architecture becomes a quiet storyteller. Set on the outskirts of Lucknow, the home translates the emotional arc of the Ramayana into space, light, and material, allowing the epic to be experienced rather than visually reenacted. Designed by Meena Murthy Kakkar and Vishal Kakkar, the house reflects the client's lifelong relationship with the text, shaped by childhood memories and values of resilience, devotion, and duty. From the outset, the home establishes its intent through restraint.

The foyer, inspired by the Bala Kand, marks beginnings. A Ram Gayatri Mantra welcomes visitors, while a hand-painted console referencing Devdutt Pattanaik's Sita and a Ramayana artwork by Prasun Mazumdar offer a gentle introduction to the story ahead. The symbolism is suggestive, never literal. As one moves inside the house, the Ayodhya Kand unfolds through circulation spaces. Staircases and corridors become symbolic journeys, with mosaic floors evoking forest paths and black-and-white Madhubani murals depicting woodland scenes. A groin-vaulted ceiling inspired by tree geometry, paired with suspended lighting, creates a sense of movement and transition. Even the powder room continues the narrative, using palm leaf wallpaper, muted greys, and green vanities to evoke calm and introspection.

The Aranya Kand informs the main living areas. The formal living room carries the presence of a darbar, anchored by camelback sofas, a wooden jhoola, hand-tufted rugs, anda strong central table. In contrast, the informal baithak offers intimacy through exposed wooden rafters, natural finishes, and subtle ikkat patterns referencing the Laxman Rekha. The dining area, opening into greenery, reinforces the home's bond with nature and is punctuated by a deer-inspired console. The first floor shifts the focus inward, reflecting the Sunder and Uttar Kands. The family room becomes a space of gathering, marked by clay sculptures of the Vaanar Sena. A prayer room framed by carved Chettinad pillars forms the spiritual anchor, while the master bedroom completes the narrative with an artwork of Luv and Kush with the Ashwamedha horse, symbolising closure and harmony.

Outdoors, the Kishkinda and Yudh Kands are interpreted through landscape. Birdhouses, dense planting, and winding paths animate the garden, while a gazebo set amid water and Ashok trees recalls the Ashok Vatika. A central Sheesham tree stands as the emotional heart of the site. Local craftsmanship grounds the house in place. Chikankari embroidery, Madhubani murals, Moradabad metalwork, handloom textiles, and handmade furniture coexist with contemporary elements. The result is a home that feels rooted and reflective, where tradition and modernity meet with quiet confidence.

More than a home, the Ramayana House turns architecture into a living narrative, where each space reflects the timeless story of India's epic.