What Dreamlands Are Made Of

by Ishita Sinha

As for many others, for me the perfect summer getaway is Shimla. But for me Shimla is not the mall road or the horse rides, it is not the guided trips or the group treks. For me Shimla is an untouched piece of heaven, away from the heat and dirt of the cities and the noise of the traffic. And in this piece of heaven, lies this old, grand building – tall but not daunting, enormous but not maze-like - the Indian Institute of Advanced Study.

The palace is the perfect place for a day out for anyone who wants to delve in some glorious history, or silently read a book, or get inspired for some poetry, or even just take a little snack kit and listen to music sitting in some corner of the vast stretch of lawns.

The 121 year old building has been immaculately maintained. What used to be the Viceroy’s lodge for 6 months every year was turned into a place that now houses scholars for research studies. The palatial building and the gorgeous lawns took 4 years to be made out of gray lime stones which were brought on horses and mules in the absence of any transport facilities. The insides are warm and invitingly made with the finest Burmese teak. The building is immersed in its historical past – some great moments of the Indian history have taken place on these grounds. So it’s of no surprise that one feels completely in awe of the place, its grandness, its beauty and its interesting past.

The outside area is what fascinates me every single time I return to this place. The row of flowers, the green grass, the well planned gardens, the breathtaking view and amidst all that, the large structure, standing tall and proud.

Another interesting part of this institute is the little canteen, which is now 14 years old. As you enter, there is a small board that directs you to the “Cafeteria” where you see a small area with a few tables outside and inside. The owner, Mr. Vijay Sharma, takes each order personally, suggesting their 2 specialties – paranthas and, funny enough, Maggi. When you ask him why the place has no name, he immediately says “Of course it has a name. ‘Cafeteria’ is the name of the place”. Ask him what is so special about the place and he will talk about the “zero pollution, the view of the huge hills and the fact that it is housed in the Viceroy’s old home”. The Maggi here has always been special – there is a choice between plain, vegetable and egg Maggi: and all of them, somehow, have the  “Cafeteria” signature taste.

So, the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies is the muse to an artist, the perfect location for a photographer, the inspiration for a writer, the picnic spot for a bunch of friends, the romantic date for a couple, the well of information for a historian and the solace to a troubled mind. The peace and quiet here are so calming that it’s a place you return to every time you get a chance to. For me, this type of place is what dreamlands are made of.