The badminton star, Ashwini Ponnappa's fifth-floor three-bed room apartment in Begumpet in Hyderabad will come across as modest at first look. That will only be the first impression, though. A closer look at the interiors will reveal a tastefully laid-out array of finely crafted work, positioned with care, evidence of culture and refinement, rather than an ostentatious display of wealth and opulence. The flat's old-world charm is disarming, the presence of wood harking back to the family's roots in Coorg, Karnataka, the land of coffee and oranges, breathtaking in its beauty. Her Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Manager father M.A. Ponnappa and mother Cauvery, a relationship manager with New India Assurance, have moved house quite a few times in Bangalore and elsewhere. “We have sent crates of prizes and books back to our ancestral home in Ammathi,” her mother says. “The RBI has been very kind and supportive to us, Ashwini's badminton career taking precedence even over the posting of my husband and in giving us fine accommodation such as this one,” Cauvery continues. There's cause for cheer too.
Healthy haven
From the balcony of Ashwini's and her parents' room, one sees a dense spread of foliage finding a healthy haven in the backyard of Hyderabad Public School. “The greenery is a blessing,” says Ashwini, whose apartment is located in the heart of the city. “On the odd occasion, the Grey Hornbill can be sighted, although it's cackling can be quite jarring,” her mother chips in. The first artefact to catch one's eye is the money chest in the parlour, asandukamade of teak. Now it houses the photo albums of the family, a record of her father's days as a Karnataka state hockey player and avid golfer. The sofas, simply designed yet sturdy despite their age, are not surprisingly made of teak. Four chairs dot the corners, the craftsmanship contributing much to comfort of those who sink into its ergonomic embrace. The eight-seater dining set, with its netted format, purchased from an upmarket department store, embodies an elegance all its own. Standing tall nearby is a three-door refrigerator. “I deliberately chose a smaller fridge, so that we store less and rely more on fresh food,” says Cauvery. A lengthy kitchen slab packs enough cooking paraphernalia to keep the family well nourished. “I binge on junk food when I'm not home,” says the shuttler, known for the sting in her smashes. “I don't cook at all but hope to some day,” she adds. Till then, her mum's goodies, including the pork curry patent to Coorg, fuel her exploits on court. A solitary mirror, over half a century old, overlooks Ashwini's room. A rosewood round table holds varied knick-knacks, while the wardrobe is chock-a-block with clothes, shoes et al. An upright Li Ning bag in another corner carries her badminton gear. Mother and daughter have an eye for footwear, the duo possessing over 50 pairs, not including Ashwini's badminton sneakers. “I hope to study interior designing,” says the B Com graduate of St. Mary's College, Yousufguda. Further studies may have to wait as the badminton calendar keeps hers hands full, with much jet-setting still left to be done.
HBL
