A Greecian-style luxury villa in Chennai places Nature over all else

Charanya Ramesh and Anil Jose are an interesting duo. Despite being avid travellers, these friends-turned-partners spent many years in different parts of the world, with Anil donning the role of a corporate executive, and Charanya establishing her travel business. It was COVID that forced them to pause as a family.

“In the past, when we needed a break, we’d quickly fly to Bali. COVID meant that we could not move around as easily as before. Access to fresh grass and the scent of the earth was missing. Our kids were growing up too, making us wonder about the kind of values we wanted them to imbibe. We have always had a close relationship with Nature. I have a green thumb and the gardens in each of my houses would overflow with plants. When we saw this property which has been with Charanya’s family for years, here in Mahabalipuram, an idea sparked,” says Anil.

A view of the pool
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

That contemplation led to the creation of Midori, a farmstay retreat, about 60 kilometres from the city in Mamallapuram.

The property, spread over five acres of green paddy and mango fields, has two Grecian-style villas with textured white walls, a pumpset, a comfortable bed with statement lighting, several lounging nooks, and a pool where PH levels are closely monitored. One can take in the views of the clear skies and stars while lounging along-side the original residents of the farm — cows, calves, hens, and puppies.

Besides the sumptuous meals of local Tamil fare made by Mani, the caretaker, cook and resident snake catcher of Midori, the swimming pool, complete with inflatable floaties, is quite the draw.

Here, you can watch the day turn to night, whilst pruning in the water. One can also star-gaze, play board games and read as one pleases. “It might just be the perfect place for families to connect. We didn’t want televisions in the rooms; we decided against it as Charanya chided me for this idea,” Anil says, grinning. Charanya also encourages those who stay at the property to indulge in two of its most interesting offerings — dining in the mango orchard and the paddy field, and bathing in the pumpset, an essential watering equipment for a farm that often doubles up as a manmade waterfall.

A drone shot of the pool
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Charanya is careful to call it a ‘Nature’ stay as Midori is not one that offers a conventional petting-zoo-style experience. “We want people to switch off. That is why every nook including the bamboo one atop the villa overlooking the pool and the paddy field, is designed for you to stop, stare and take in all the Nature. We have sourced many pieces from across the world and have worked tirelessly with craftsmen from Mahabalipuram and Auroville on our mirrors, open shower, paintings, waterbottles, pots and glasses,” says Anil.

The property will soon have a smaller bohemian-style room called kudil to encourage those who would like to stay for longer. For others, the memory of birdcalls, chicken 65, colourful fish, animals, and the vast greenery, will have to suffice.

Midori luxury farmstay is at Paiyanur. To get in touch, contact Charanya at 9600191101.

The author was at Midori on invitation from the property.