Vidita Singh: A princess driven by the passion for vintage cars

11 Sep 2020 10:59 AM IST

Princess Vidita Singh of Barwani is a painter renowned for her choice of muse: Vintage cars. She is dedicated to portraying her subjects on canvas not only for their design elements but also for their “soul”. Barwani, one of Central Province’s respected princely states, has a unique legacy to keep

Made for Maharajas: Costumes that inspired the Ranas

11 Sep 2020 10:53 AM IST

The Rana men’s formal attire was that of a British military chief. There was focus on the medals they had, which glittered against their red attire. As for women, jewellery was a very important factor for them.

Two ‘preachers’ and the mountains

04 Sep 2020 03:30 AM IST

In 2016, in the Biyanli village of Uttarakhand’s Garhwal district, the 165 lives changed forever. They encountered the vision of two “Teach for India” fellows—one was an engineer-turned-educator, and the other was an economist-turned-social entrepreneur. Both envisioned setting up a school or learning centre for children in inaccessible rural pockets

The House of Rohet: Reflection of noble family’s evolved sensibility

04 Sep 2020 03:29 AM IST

They say that the journey to heaven is beautiful and Rohet—a little village on the outskirts of Jodhpur—is nothing short of a design heaven. A visual treat for the design addicts who love the touch of tradition spiced with dollops of heritage. Rohet is a few miles of drive away

Heartwarming tales behind a princess’ quilts

04 Sep 2020 03:27 AM IST

Richa Rajyalaxmi, princess of Danta, has given refuge to several block printers, quilt makers and cotton weavers. Her quilts in the softest of cottons with the most ethereal block prints are a sellout.

Weaving rich textile traditions of Jaipur court

28 Aug 2020 03:46 AM IST

The book, by Vandana Bhandari, dwells upon how textile for princely families assumed a position much more important than the warp and weft of it.

Himachali Dhaam: Elaborate table spreads & divine communion

28 Aug 2020 03:41 AM IST

After spending the better part of the lockdown dreaming of the hills, my impending journey to my Himalayan home brought me a huge sigh of relief. It was time to pay my annual homage to my most beloved place on this earth, and even though the hoteliers’ world had suffered

Baroda royalty’s Ganesh festivities

28 Aug 2020 03:40 AM IST

Baroda comes alive each year with the tradition of a royal Ganesh Chaturthi helmed by the Gaekwad family. The Maharani recounts how the ten days unfold.

The curious craft of cultivating cacti

21 Aug 2020 03:33 AM IST

How Raja Digvijay Singhji left a unique legacy in the quiet town of Sailana.

Pandit Jasraj & the Sanand family

21 Aug 2020 03:30 AM IST

Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj — a maestro and a legend — is no more. The Indian crown has lost its one more jewel. While the world pens thoughts on his virtuous voice and ethereal bhajans, my mind travels to a distant, sleepy town of Sanand in Gujarat, where his heart

Sweetening palates with raw flower honey

21 Aug 2020 03:23 AM IST

These incredible facts around the art of honey-making have continued to baffle me since I first learned of them from Mriganka Kumari of Pratapgarh. This talented entrepreneur — who also happens to be my distant cousin, from our common roots in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghabana — has recently launched a brand

Meet Aaliya Sultana Babi, the dinosaur princess

14 Aug 2020 03:17 AM IST

Sultana Babi is obsessed with two things: Placing the dinosaur fossil site at the distant village of Rahioli in her state on the international map and sharing the culinary history of her family with the world.