Landscaping is an art which is rarely appreciated for their contribution towards the beautification of the land, building and the society. In Ladakh, we have always welcomed the new teachings and methods of the western world to merge with the ladakhi culture and create something beautiful and productive. Our architectural works are unique in itself, our mode of construction has always been indigenious. By including new methods in our books we can move towards a smart and a sustainable society.
I had an opportunity to interview the Landscape artist of project “Dolkhar”! Mrs Berengere Guillon, a professional landscaper from France, who first came to India in 2015 and ever since she visited Ladakh, she found a new home away from home. She is a jovial and an inspiring professional who loves her work and has worked with major NGOs around the world, creating beautiful landscapes and conserving the environment by promoting sustainable work. She is in charge of the Landscaping project of Dholkar. I was thrilled to interview about her work and her life in Ladakh.
Since, it’s the pandemic and the opportunity to meet someone always brings excitement even if its Online zoom meeting. I was nervous and a bit confused on how to carry on with the interview. Should it be a formal Q&A? But to my fortune she was a very jolly and easy to approach person, same as she mentioned about Ladakhi people, when she came in 2015. A new land with a totally different culture and a new language, she was nervous as she only knew French. “But I have totally sunk into the ladakhi culture now”, she says. The starting fear didn’t last long as the people were so welcoming and helpful that I got drawn up to their simple and peaceful living ways in a blink of an eye.
As she was explaining about her profession as landscape artist, she emphasised the use of sustainable mode of construction has always been her priority in her works, and that’s how she came in touch with the young Entrepreneur Lachic, in a social gathering where they exchange their ideas about the rich culture of Ladakh, and how a new project based on harboring and utilising the local source, and handicrafts to create a sustainable boutique would be a potentially exciting project. A great outcome comes out of unexpected conversations! They started working together on Dolkhar, an eco-friendly resort which would use the Ladakhi mode of construction. It was a long awaited project of Lachic, and spontaneously their envision about the boutique came true in the form of Hatti Ladakh. She recalls how her experience in working for beautification of Matho monastery in 2015-16 taught her much about the landscapes of Ladakh and how there was so much more which could be done. She and Lachic started Hatti Ladakh, a boutique which used to source its raw material from naturally handmade artisans of Ladakh while still creating a cosmopolitan brand. It gave livelihood to long lost artisans whose works are no longer in demand, creating a sustainable environment.
I wonder how challenging it is to be a female Entrepreneur in Ladakh? There is no doubt that females are more competitive than the males in almost all fields of work nowadays, but India has been a male driven society where females have to break many stereotypes both at household and society level to reach out for their goal. She giggled proudly on hearing this and said, that’s why I call it a land of opportunities where everyone is so hard working and has simplicity in their way of living. There is always a push and a helping hand available regardless of gender when we are trying to pursue a new venture for the betterment of Ladakh.
She happily continues, “ You see, Lachic approached me to work for the Dolkhar project, which is a master work of architectural wonder in building a indeginous resort which has all its furnishing made up of local mud rock, willow and poplar wood. It was a great opportunity to use the available natural resources around the resort to give a perfect landscaping to the project.
“It’s challenging to carry out a work where you have less knowledge about the resources of the place but to source out the raw materials is in itself a challenge, be it the yamangs of Taglangla or Nubra, working in field with the local labours using local manure and plants to beautify the garden, and following the local way to utilize the woods and mudstones in construction by giving a edge of comfort and luxury has given me a story to inspire my new work,” sighs Berengere.
I was intrigued by how she coped with Ladakhi culture, i mean the Language is hard but the climate, food and the culture is in itself no piece of cake. So, I asked her whether she misses France? She acknowledged that she missed the food a lot! “ I sometimes crave for a decent Baguette and a lot of Cheese”, laughs Berengere. Further she says, However, I have no complaints with Ladakh. I am happy that I am a part of Ladakh now. I have learnt a little bit of Ladakhi language and quite a bit of Ladakhi customs from my husband Sonam and friend Lachic. As for work I help my husband in his tourism business here and in winters we move to France where we are planning to extend our business. So, it’s a win-win situation for me, as I rejoice in the beautiful landscape of Ladakh in summer and I can cherish some fine French wine in winter.
The time ticked around 7:10 pm and the network started showing us that we are in Ladakh where good internet connection is rare. There was a lot to talk with her but we had a short time slotted for the interview, which has given me a much needed glimpse of Ladakh from a foreigner’s perspective on working and living in Ladakh. I asked her, what is something you want to change about Ladakh? ” She stared in silence for a few seconds and smiled, “ You see it’s quite a tricky question but one thing I want to do is to teach people better time management and stop people from abandoning their beautiful land and culture.
