Entrepreneur and risk management consultant Ramnik Sethi Basu’s company, AaRr Global Connect, is primarily involved with corporate social responsibility events around the year. But come December, Ramnik pours her heart and soul into what she calls her “passion project” – decking up some of Kolkata’s most popular social clubs for the festive season.
It all started about six years back, when Ramnik was asked to decorate the Saturday Club for Christmas. Since then, her portfolio has grown to include the Tollygunge Club and the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, with Bengal Club being added to the list in 2021. “I am a member of most of these clubs. So, these projects are really like decorating my second home,” says Ramnik.
This year’s decorations at Bengal club
Christmas celebrations were significantly toned down last year owing to the pandemic. This year, Ramnik notes, despite there still being some restrictions, there is a semblance of normalcy when it comes to the decor.
“Everybody – the craftsmen, the committee, myself – enjoys getting involved in the process. We spaced it out well and did not do anything last minute. So, I am more satisfied with the decorations this year,” she said.
Ramnik Sethi Basu
Every year, after the clubs decide on a theme for the festive season, Ramnik maps out various ways in which it can be brought to life. “This year, Tolly Club has a ‘gingerbread village’ theme. The children’s area has been created keeping that in mind and the shamiana is welcome to all age groups — and to the NRIs who visit the club with their loved ones during this time of the year,” she said.
(Left) The shamiana at Tolly Club; (right) the children’s area
There was a more traditional theme at the Saturday Club. So Ramnik opted for a green, red, gold and silver colour palette, while focusing on conventional Christmas elements like bows and gift boxes. The club’s verandah has been dressed with gift boxes hanging from the chandeliers and the doors are decorated with red-and-white polka-dotted boots.
At Bengal Club this year, members and guests are being welcomed through a grand entrance decorated with red and golden baubles, complete with a holly in the centre. At the reception area, guests are greeted by a mini Santa standing in front of a Christmas tree.
(Left) The Christmas tree at Saturday Club; (right) the entrance and reception area at Bengal club
The decorations that Ramnik has used in these four clubs have been created from scratch. At a time when numerous craftsmen are struggling in the aftermath of the pandemic, having handmade decorations not only provided them with work, but also helped Ramnik add her own dash of creativity to the decor.
For instance, at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, she decided to add a golf spin to her Santa Claus. The result? Santa is seen teeing off, with a snowman putting and the Grinch refereeing! “It was such a fun feeling when we created the right expressions on their faces,” says Ramnik. In the bar area, every table is dressed beautifully with a lantern, a bow and Christmas ornaments.
(Left) Santa Claus, Snowman and The Grinch; (right) the tables in the bar area
Organising these decorations has now become one of Ramnik’s favourite Christmas traditions. For her, Christmas in Kolkata is about bringing friends and family together in a festive atmosphere.
While working on these projects, more than budgetary considerations, her primary focus is creating something that will make people happy. When asked which compliment brings the biggest smile to her face, Ramnik says, “I feel very happy when people connect festive decor with me… that I have been the one chosen to bring about happy faces in the club circuit.”
