In search of the yellow wall
For many years, I had seen photos of this stunning yellow wall captured by endless photographers who visited Puducherry (formerly known as Pondicherry) — a small French town situated in South India in the state of Tamil Nadu. Yellow wall with graffiti, beautiful doors, flower arches, just seemed so inviting. So, it was time to go in search of it.
Three hours from the city of Chennai, the road to Puducherry is nothing but exquisite. Known as the famous East Coast Road, the drive along the coast with wind in my hair felt like a movie scene. Tall trees waving in the breeze, crisp road, blue skies and some good music for company and I was set to meet the port of Puducherry.
The union territory of Puducherry (fondly known as Pondy), was under French rule until 1954. Some people here still speak French. Hotels, boutiques, cafes still give a whiff of the French aesthetic and charm. The world famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram and its offshoot just north of town, Auroville, draw large numbers of spiritually minded visitors. Pondy exudes a beautiful bohemian vibe with hints of the colonial French era.
After a day of relaxation in my AirBnb, I went out in the search of my yellow wall. The best way to explore it, was on foot, so that I do not miss any sights or sounds. I got to see many different moods of Puducherry. Streets with vendors going about their daily life, tourists cycling around in the narrow lanes and cafes serving their regular and new visitors. The town is divided into the French and the Tamil quarter and I feasted my eyes on theTamil-French architecture. A great fusion with some amazing medley of colours.
After a good walk of about an hour, voila, I found my yellow wall. Cafe Des Arts a quirky cafe situated at the Suffren St. A 19th-century building with eclectic illustrations popping out, this cafe plates up some delicious and memorable food. The yellow walls of the garden sport flying elephants, monkeys on bicycles and books with a gramophone. The decor and the architecture invited me in and I stayed for the books and food.
Puducherry is like a treasure box. My search for the yellow wall lead me to cobbled streets, the beach side, quirky cafes and the French consulate with the splash of yellow once again. The allure of Puducherry is manifolds. It soothed my soul as I sat on the beach watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Puducherry is like that little moment of peace amidst the chaos of the world.
