About Guloncho

Santiniketan surrounds Visva Bharati, the University founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Along with the quest for academic, literary, musical and visual excellence, the Tagore family and their associates institutionalised a holistic culture of living in Santiniketan – ranging from architecture to furnishing, from gastronomy to tableware, from the intonations in speaking Bengali to the words chosen for intimate communication.

Guloncho is a bungalow built in the traditional architectural style of Santiniketan, amidst a sprawling garden that houses dozens of huge trees. The property is located at about a kilometre from Kala Bhavana and Sangeet Bhavana, the fine arts and music departments of Visva Bharati University and about 5 Kms from the Sonajhuri Haat. Guloncho, maintained in mint condition, offers tranquillity with all the basic amenities of a luxurious Indian home including Broadband Internet support for work-from-home, or learn-from-home requirements.

All the rooms – Purobee, Dokhina and Labonyo – are large with befitting large-double or twin beds, wide windows on two sides and attached baths. The spacious dining area is exclusive for the guests. There is an inviting balcony overlooking the garden where you can cosily savour your cup of Darjeeling while gazing at the surrounding trees. Feel free to listen to the chirping of birds from an expansive portico at the front of the house. Or just laze in the lawn and enjoy the riot of colours of Spring. You’ll discover why the place is called Santiniketan, that is Abode of Peace.

The hosts of Guloncho are a husband-wife team ably supported by local helping hands. Both have relocated to Santiniketan since retirement. The wife is a retired teacher and an alumnus of Visva Bharati. the university established by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore; she went to the US as a Fulbright scholar in 2005. The husband is a veteran journalist and author with varied interest ranging from Tagore to films, arts, music, literature, current affairs etc. Both are avid readers and well-connected with the culture-commune of Santiniketan. Some of the most relevant people in this culturally enriched university town regularly visit Guloncho and engage themselves in animated discussions.

Quiet and serene Andrews Palli, shaded by a variety of huge trees, is known for housing celebrities. Esteemed singers Kanika Bandyopadhyay and Dwijen Mukhopadhyay had been the two most eminent and earliest residents of this neighbourhood. Sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar used to stay next to Guloncho whenever he visited Santiniketan. Andrews Palli continues with its legacy of housing celebrities with the presence of some reputed singers, filmmakers, danseuse, and educationists. However, the tallest landmark of Andrews Palli has been the Elmhirst Institute of Community Studies (supported by the Dartington Hall Trust of UK), a non-profit organisation providing training and education in mother and child-care.

Park yourself in the homely atmosphere of a luxurious garden bungalow for a few days and enjoy the sounds and sights in and around Santiniketan. Here are some activities you can plan for while at Guloncho

• Visit Viswa Bharati University and other attractions of Santiniketan
• Visit Design Studios
• Interact with artistes and artisans
• Take excursions to Bankura and Bishnupur and surrounding tourist attractions