As you step into the lobby of The Elgin Fairlawn, you instantly know why Dominique Lapierre spent so much time here. The French author is said to have even written part of his novel, City of Joy, at the Sudder Street hotel. This could be because of how it combines the motifs best associated with the city. Be it the colonial hangover in the ambience, the rustic old-world charm in the architecture, or the unassuming warmth of the attendants, the hotel is a miniature metaphor for the city. And Dominique has been permanently etched into the legacy of both.
(Left) A wall dedicated to all the celebrity guests Fairlawn has hosted over the years. Dominique’s portrait is on the bottom left. (right) A portrait of Dominique with his wife and Violet Smith.
Rabindranath Pal, former manager and advisor at The Elgin Fairlawn, has seen many popular faces visit the hotel over his 46 years of service, but remembers Dominique most fondly. “Although he never stayed here, he would regularly visit the hotel during his time in Kolkata. In fact, he and his wife would at least have one meal every day with Mrs Smith (Violet Smith, former owner of the hotel and fondly known as the Duchess of Sudder Street).”
Pal’s eyes twinkle when he talks about the close bond Dominique shared with his former boss, sustained over meals and handwritten letters for almost two decades. “He used to love our continental food and would bring his French and British friends here for lunch all the time. On some days, their table would be a melting pot of all nationalities!”
Besides the hearty meals, Dominique also loved the view from the balcony, where he spent many leisurely evenings. “After wrapping up his engagements during the day, he would come to unwind here with his friends, and a glass of his favourite Black Label beer!”
Rabindranath Pal and Antonia Hoogewerf fondly remember Dominique’s visits to the hotel
Dominique’s gatherings in the balcony were integral to his Kolkata visits, and known to everyone at the hotel. British travel writer Antonia Hoogewerf, who stays at Fairlawn during her annual visit to the city, remembers chancing upon a few of them too. “While I met him only once in the early 2000s, I often saw him in the balcony, engaged in deep conversation with Mrs Smith. They were both very fond of each other.” She adds that several prominent celebrities would also be seen with the duo, naming Michael Palin and Clive Anderson among a long list of people to have shared a beer with him.
The view from the balcony that Dominique so enjoyed over a glass of beer
It was this friendly vibe that kept bringing Dominique back to Kolkata , Fairlawn. “Our ambience was very different from every other hotel. The atmosphere was one where all guests mingled like friends. Mrs Smith was a magnet, and truly loved talking and joking with people,” Pal said.
Asked when Dominique last visited the hotel, he said, “His health deteriorated after 2010 and his visits became infrequent. But he only stopped visiting after Mrs Smith’s passing in 2014.”
