Srinagar’s Karan Mahal: History reinvented

22 Jan 2021 08:10 AM IST

The charming European-style villa that is perched upon Srinagar’s Shankaracharya Hill overlooking the Dal Lake is no ordinary mansion. Constructed in the 1920s as Karan Mahal, it served as the residence of Dr Karan Singh, the then crown prince of Jammu & Kashmir. A charismatic leader of legendary stature, Dr

REMEMBERING THE BRIGHTEST OF THE BABIS

22 Jan 2021 08:07 AM IST

Princess Aaliya Babi Farhat of Balasinor reminisces the life and last days of famed yesteryear star and close relative, Parveen Babi, on the anniversary of her death.

MUSHROOMING OF A CAUSE: PREETI RATHORE & MAANVEER SHEKHAWAT

15 Jan 2021 02:44 AM IST

Ex-engineer Preeti Rathore and marketing professional Maanveer Shekhawat are making headlines as Pink City’s most power-packed couple, and for good reason. The two resigned from their conventional jobs in order to invest themselves fully in their joint passion for sustainable farming. Both Rathore and Shekhawat have found their calling in

When perfumes become an extension of personality

15 Jan 2021 02:39 AM IST

Growing up, I was exposed to the wonders of Mother Nature, the untouched wilderness evoking romanticism smeared in tranquillity. These experiences got an encouragement after I got married to a family which was into agriculture, medicinal and aromatic plantations, growing exotic herbs and mango orchards. One of the most remarkable

BRIJ RAJ SINGH BHATI: THE KING IS DEAD, LONG LIVE THE KING

15 Jan 2021 02:35 AM IST

The demise of Maharawal Brij Raj Singh Bhati has brought great grief to his kin and well-wishers, but his son Chaitanya Raj is ready to take forward the family’s legacy and work to empower the people and heritage of Jaisalmer.

As New Year begins, it’s time to look at a lesser-known pandemic

08 Jan 2021 03:50 AM IST

It’s holiday season here in Manali and like all other parts of the world, families are celebrating and getting merry around the ageless component of festivity: Desserts. At my boutique resort, we have yielded to popular demand and increased our dessert spread by multifolds. I have personally taken up the

MY LEGACY IS A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY: YOUNG KATOCH SCION TIKA AMBIKESHWAR

08 Jan 2021 03:48 AM IST

When it comes to pedigree, you cannot possibly get better than this—with his paternal grandmother, Chandresh Kumari, former Union Culture Minister, being the princess of Jodhpur, his paternal grandfather, Aditya Raj Katoch, being the Maharaja of Kangra-Lambagraon, his maternal family hailing from Sailana and his maternal grandmother born the princess

CARRYING FORWARD RICH TRADITIONS OF RAJASTHAN’S TIMELESS JEWELLERY

08 Jan 2021 03:43 AM IST

With her versatile design for craft-based jewellery studio Kanak Kriti, Vibha Shekhawat is keeping alive the traditions of the finest Rajasthani kaarigars.

REMINISCING NAWABI LEGACY AT AN ILLUSTRIOUS RAMPUR WEDDING

01 Jan 2021 04:14 AM IST

As one of the most prosperous principalities of India, Rampur has witnessed a rich legacy of culture, craft and cuisine, which continues to be cultivated today by the current generation of the Nawabs.

THE LITERARY MARVELS OF MAJOR GENERAL AMAR SINGHJI OF KANOTA

25 Dec 2020 07:49 AM IST

The third Thakur of Rajasthan’s erstwhile Thikana of Kanota, late Major General Amar Singhji’s military, sporting and literary contributions to Rajputana and modern India have been profound and long-lasting. A keen pioneer of the idea of Rajputana, Amar Singhji was an avid polo player, shikaar enthusiast and a devoted family

AMRITA RANA: KEEPING ALIVE THE SHEER AURA OF RANA JEWELS

25 Dec 2020 07:38 AM IST

There is a strange sense of chutzpah that engulfs her tiny frame. A sense of style that follows wherever she tiptoes away. Amrita Rana, a daughter of the Rana family of Nepal, is a joy to know. She comes across as someone with a great zest for life. Her sharp

HOW THE ‘STAR OF INDIA’ FOUND ITS WAY BACK HOME

25 Dec 2020 07:35 AM IST

While the ‘Star of India’, one of the rarest Rolls Royce Phantom cars, is a beauty to behold, the story of how it was acquired by the royal family of Rajkot, sold to a Britisher, taken around Europe, and brought back to its owners almost fifty years later, is more