For someone who quit her nine to five job in a talent management agency, it is indeed a liberating experience to be able to pursue her passion in art. Tanya Burgula is all geared up to use her concept of ‘sustainable living’ at The Chalet, an abode that is spread across 2000 sq yards on Road No. 45, Jubilee Hills. This multicultural space aims to host cultural activities and build art communities. On what sparked off the idea of setting up the creative space, Tanya states, “My liking for art was triggered during my school days in Vidyaranya school. I was a part of the theatre and dramatic activities. Also, my interest became stronger and I got better exposure when my grandparents took me to art events like theatre shows, ghazal programmes, book readings, etc.”
She adds, “For long, I have been thinking about working in an area I was passionate about (art) and it took just a little bit of courage to do something for myself, and to make a difference in how people lead their lives.”
Coming up with a space under ‘sustainable living’ means a lot to Tanya. “Going forward, it is extremely important for us to focus on more conscious ways to live, and I want to create a conscious lifestyle so that people understand the significance of what we eat, buy, etc,” she shares, adding, “I hope that this new cultural space will only bring like-minded communities of art-lovers and make them lead a sustainable life. At The Chalet, we will try to help people rediscover themselves while creating an opportunity for change in the community.”
Tanya states that most of the people today are working in high stress environments, and are thus looking for calming spaces. “In an era of climate catastrophe, art lovers can spend time doing workshops, art and sound therapies and rediscover their inner consciousness at our cultural centre,” she says.
While the state-of-the-art cultural space houses workshops, an art gallery, spacious halls for debates, discourses, cafe, a co-working space, art and sound therapies, yoga, seminars and ideation, the retail space primarily focuses on sustainable products.
After setting up this space, Tanya admits that her understanding of art has completely changed. “From choosing the colour of the paint that needs to go on the wall to what art can do to promote lifestyle, I have learnt a lot and started to see art completely differently,” she says as she signs off.
