On a September morning, this writer’s date with history began by entering the over a century-old Narasinh Mansion, and negotiating three flights of creaky wooden steps and worn-out walls that didn’t inspire. On approaching the third floor to New Vasantashram, we notice a dramatic, vibrant change. Bright shades of yellow, red and blue popped out, and a Warli painting along the wall led us to the entrance of our summit, which is celebrating its 76th year by documenting the voices of its new and old guests.

“My father Pilinja Laxminarayan Rao founded this hotel in 1947, just a few days before Independence,” current owner Sujata Rao tells us. We meet her in a room that is partitioned by a vintage circular stained-glass window into two sections: the reception and a small temple. Receptionist Jagannath Shetty, who has been employed with the hotel for a decade now, is sifting through his record books. Behind him, sets of room keys dangle from a stand that has been repurposed from an old window frame. Rao believes the name New Vasantashram emerged from the fact that India was set for a new journey after Independence. “The word ‘ashram’ alludes to affordability and the feeling of safety,” she explains. The hotel currently has 50 beds divided across common dorms, single and double rooms.