Burrup Fertilisers Pty Ltd

 Article from Grazia Magazine - Issue 45 - June 15 2009

Words: Claudia Bertorello-Kell    Photography: Jody D'Arcy

BEJEWELLED in Indian emeralds and diamonds, Radhika Oswal is smiling for our cameras. She has movie star good looks and natural charm. She's the elegant and educated wife of Pankaj Oswal, founder of the Burrup Fertilisers empire: the multi-billion dollar company has diverse interests, with offices worldwide.

Formally from New Delhi, Radhika and Pankaj Oswal have become Perthonalities since settling in Western Australia in 2001. The Oswals throw lavish parties, with no expenses spared, and have added Bollywood glamour to Perth.

"The Oswals are famous for throwing lavish parties, with no expenses spared"

The couple met by way of a traditional Indian arranged marriage.

"We were two young kids. I was 18, and he was 23. We grew up together and it was just perfect," Radhika says.

"An arranged marriage is really like having a marriage broker. You both get sent photographs. I saw lots of photos of potential grooms and then if you don't mind the look of one you take it further and look at astrological charts. In India your husband or your wife should be one of the first people you spend time with."

But Radhika Oswal is more than wife and mother. She's not scared to express her views, has a strong spiritual side and likes to maintain traditional Indian values. Her favourite spot in the family home in the suburb of Dalkieth is the meditation room. Proudly Hindu, Radhika spends an hour each morning in meditation. She thanks her spirituality for the blessings in her life. And she agrees there are many things to be grateful for. Two beautiful daughters, a good family life, a career based on her passions, travel and of course the new family home.

The foundation has been laid for the new mansion on a $22.7 million block of land in nearby Peppermint Grove. The Indian-style palace is expected to be the most expensive and the biggest home in Australia.

Designed by hotel architect Jonathan Ridler, it will feature seven bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a gym and fitness centre, beauty salon, dance area, meditation room, telescope room, waterways and extensive gardens throughout the property. The pool alone will be 10 times the size of an average backyard.

"Inside the style will be eclectic and outside it will reflect ancient Indian architecture, with influences from Indian temples," Radhika explains.

"I've tried to hold onto my Indian roots. I like a very richly decorated house, with lots of colour and textures, because that is my backgound. I also like eclectic looks and I like a good mix of silver and gold," she smiles and adds, "I will love it on a moonlit night."

The new home will follow vastu, an Indian form of feng shui.

"It will be very peaceful. And also passive solar," she explains.

As Radhika admires a model of the new home, in the background there is chatter and commotion, as staff shuffle and tidy, cook and clean around us. The mouth watering smells that come from the kitchen make the house a home, and instil a feeling of comfort and belonging. Mango leaves hang from the doorframes of each room. In India, the mango leaf is often used during festivals and is considered auspicious. 

The dining room, however, is the heart of the Oswal home. Radhika adores heavy, silver Indian dining and tea sets.

A strict vegetarian, Radhika's studying a Masters Degree in sustainability.

"People fight over religion, but food makes us come together. Many of us, from different religions eat together, but we may not pray together. So food has a bonding quality."

It is no suprise Radhika is exploring her passion for food and spreading the virtues of being a vegetarian. She's literally putting her money where her mouth is and launching a new restaurant chain called Otarian, which aims to deliver an authentic, global mix of vegetarian delights.

"Vegetarian food is the most sustainable food in the world. I want Otarian to give people a choice."

"We need to think about our future generations and the sustainability of the earth," she adds.

Otarian is going to be the first restaurant chain in the world to have a carbon footprinting system on its menu. When you order a veggie burger, there will be a statement about all of the emissions saved by your vegetarian meal compared to its non-vegetarian counterpart.

Otarian will launch in New York and London simultaneously in August but there is no immediate plan to launch the eatery in Australia.

"It's my way of doing something good. I'm very blessed to have staff and help and it's good to do something with your time that's useful," says Radhika. "An empty head is the devil's workshop."