Rajputana Collective

27/07/2024

As Paris opens its doors to competitive athletes from around the world, we are braced to witness an exciting fortnight of sporting events. India’s eyes are set on its 117-strong contingent that aims to break all previous records this time around. Amidst these 117 athletes of renowned stature is the 28 year old Maheshwari Chauhan, who is all set to make her Olympic debut.

Read the full article on our website, www.rajputanacollective.com

28/03/2024

Towards the end of the 13th century, the founding sultan of the Khilji dynasty, Jalaluddin Khilji and his forces had laid siege to the Sonar Kila at Jaisalmer. The then Bhati ruler, Maharawal Moolraj Singhji and his army defended their fort against Khilji’s army for 12 long years before giving way. One of the central figures in the Bhati defence of their motherland was a Rajput princess, whose acts of valour continue to be remembered to this day. It is believed that the fearless princess captured many of Khilji’s commanders and troops by closing all entry and exit routes of the fort. This formidable woman was none other than Rajkumari Ratnavati, the niece of Maharawal Moolraj ji and sister of the future ruler, Maharawal Gadsi ji Bhati. Various bards and informal records even credit her for following humanitarian protocols amidst a raging war, whereby she assured food and rations were provided to the imprisoned army men from the rival camp. Some also believe that she even sacrificed her share of alms to sustain her fellow men.

Today, Rajkumari Ratnavati’s name lies etched, not only in tales of a bygone era but also atop a beacon that ushers us into a brighter future. Situated atop the Thar desert in rural Jaisalmer, the Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls’ School isn’t just any school of our time. An architectural zeitgeist created by Ms. Diana Kellogg, this oval-shaped structure made out of sandstone was commissioned by Michael Daube. The school currently provides an English medium education rural girls up to the fifth grade under the Rajasthan State Education Board, and has accumulated much appreciation and praise for its strongly sustainable ethic, design and vision.

To read the full article, kindly visit our website!!

02/03/2024

In the face of overwhelming modernisation, most Indian heritage cities today are stumbling urban relics, rapidly decaying despite our bids to revive their complex enigmas. Heritage tourism is working hard to breathe new life into the cities’ ancient pockets, while the discerning citizen ruefully dismisses Indian negligence towards its treasure troves. “Had we been a European nation, this would have been preserved with a vision and infrastructure that we Indians lack”, is what I have often heard well-meaning tourists say to me in conversations about the decay of Indian urban heritage. Jaipur, the Pink City is no exception to this norm. From being a character-driven metropole steeped in history, urbanisation has demanded that it sprouts out high rises and glass-paneled buildings. In a nearly one-sided duel between the city’s decrepit oblivion and its unattractive contingencies, we all know what has been and will be gaining precedence. But despite fewer odds favouring aesthetic upkeep over inexpensive functionality, smaller forces whisper idealistic words of hope. One such voice that’s revisiting, rediscovering and reviving the optimism for the city’s heritage is Bharat Singh's newly-launched venture, Jaipur Houses.

In tandem with similar labels sprouting out of India’s various other cities such as Calcutta Houses, Houses of Bengaluru, Delhi Houses and the like, Bharat’s label, Jaipur Houses was launched in 2022. With its Instagram following reaching nearly 30,000 followers, Jaipur Houses is Bharat’s act of heritage documentation for a city he grew up in, and truly cherishes. Rajputana Collective is proud to feature the story behind this venture of Bharat’s, and explore the journey that helped him revisit what he terms as ‘Jaipur Deco’.

Read the full feature on .houses via the official website of Rajputana Collective

In the face of overwhelming modernisation, most Indian heritage cities today are stumbling urban relics, rapidly decaying despite our bids to revive their complex enigmas. Heritage tourism is working hard to breathe new life into the cities’ ancient pockets, while the discerning citizen ruefully d...

16/01/2024

The 679-kilometre-long National Highway number 58 (NH58) connects Fathpur to Rajasthan’s Lake City before culminating towards Palampur in Gujarat. The scenic highway in the state’s southern region serves as an arterial route for truckers and tourists alike. 45 kilometres short of Udaipur, the iconic Krishna temple of Nathdwara ji too falls on this route. Another 83 kilometers north of this divine abode is where Deogarh, an erstwhile jagir of the Sangawat Chundawat Rajputs is situated.

Once counted as among Mewar’s sixteen umraos or feudal barons, the house of Deogarh today holds its historical legacy via Deogarh Mahal and Deogarh Khayyam. The former is a 50-room-large heritage property in the heart of Deogarh, while the latter has 16 AC tents in the rural vicinity of Deogarh Mahal. The family’s younger generation has ushered this impressive legacy as hoteliers further out, towards the bustling NH58 via a novel automobile-themed vintage American diner. The Pitstop Cafe, as they call it is a much-needed rest area for travelers in an area that otherwise offers a scanty selection of dhabas and tea shops with not even a well-sanitised restroom in sight.

Rajputana Collective is proud to feature the Pitstop Cafe, Deogarh after an interview with Kritika Kumari, the family’s daughter-in-law, who was instrumental in conceiving and manifesting the idea alongside her husband, Kunwar Mayurdhwaj Singh

Read the full feature on Rajputana Collective

28/10/2023

As a young girl, I’d see them burning Ravana at Dussehra and wonder where I’d celebrate this auspicious day as a lady. Somehow, I wasn’t big on setting an annual fire to the vices that we should be introspecting within. I wondered, what happened to those vices that we thought we had burnt away, but ignited for the rest of the year within, towards each other and ourselves. And then, one fine day in 2014, my calling came from the Himalayas. Ever since that day, there’s been no looking back. Hadimba Mata made a place for me in her divine province, and here I am, under her watchful gaze. Then a few years later, in my quest to experience and document Devbhumi’s majestic Dussehra, I received an invite from what is now my Kullu family. Every year on the most auspicious day, I make way for Raja Rupi Palace, Kullu, the atmosphere of which leaves me spellbound. No matter how many times I’ve been a part of this grand festival, every time feels like the first time. I take them some Rajasthani delicacies packed in a few tiffins, while my Kullu family showers me with their warmth, love and blessings. And just like that, we see off Lord Raghunath ji, Hadimba mata and Bijli Mahadev as they lead the procession down to Dhalpur. And just like that, I return to Manali with a heart full of gratitude, governed by the powerful energies that beat through my chest. Through my various photographs, I wish to pay homage to the valley that has accepted me as its own, to its beautiful people and the supreme deities that connect us all. Shubha Vijayadashami, Happy Dussehra to all of you, from all of us 🙏🏼 Delve within, flame your fire and spread love wherever you go 🏹 the vices will take care of themselves.

17/10/2023

As co-Founder and executive director of BOLT Safety Society, Vedanshi Vala actively leads grassroots efforts to foster safer and equitable communities, which has impacted over 23,700 people globally, with 90,400+ impressions across platforms. She has led her team’s on-ground work internationally in Canada, the USA, India, Turkey, Kenya, and Morocco towards sexual violence prevention and response. Vedanshi has been distinguished nationally as a L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth. She was a delegate at the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, held at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Read Vedanshi's account on a recent humanitarian mission to Kenya in her own words, exclusively on Rajputana Collective's website
www.rajputanacollective.com

27/09/2023

A recent addition to Jaipur’s vibrant culinary landscape comes in the form of a quaint café nestled in the city’s Achrol House compound. Café Auberge, as it has come to be known, ticks all the boxes for the quintessential hip local eatery- a home café that values familial recipes and experiential hospitality. But there’s another twist to Café Auberge’s unique story of conception that we have only seen thus far in fictional archetypes. And that is, that the café is a joint creation of three sisters and their husbands, who have come together with their fortes and talents as a truly power-packed team.
Read the full article on Rajputana Collective
https://www.rajputanacollective.com/

17/09/2023

7 years since it first started, Rajputana Collective has helped me grow. It has pushed the writer in me to evolve, and when I look back at how far we’ve come, I am overwhelmed by the sheer quantum of content created by my silly little stubborn will to draft historiography my way. Instead of complaining about history’s partial telling, I found my solace in Rajputana Collective, my cherished creation that serves an inclusive space to one and all who wish to be involved with it. Whatever they might be doing, no pursuit is too small for Rajputana Collective. It is the willingness to try that continues to drive and fascinate me.

Even though the frequency of Rajputana Collective’s features have reduced (due to the lack of print impetus), please be assured that it will go on, as organically as it has. I have been occupied with a related venture- a historical non fiction that I am in the final stages of editing, and can hope to launch in 2024. Until then, I crave and mostly manage finding tiny windows in between to go back to curating features for you to read.

Thank you for keeping me and Rajputana Collective in your hearts. All your love, recognition and support keep me going. I urge you to consciously support independent journalism, for in a saturated world of over information, it is the authentic, earnest voices that must continue to count. You make them count. Please don’t stop. I definitely won’t.

Jai Rajputana!
Veer Bhogya Vasundhara!!

17/09/2023

Part I

What started out by mere fate and serendipity has grown to be my home grown publication, Rajputana Collective. It stands etched in journalism history as the first independent publication to be curated, edited, designed, published and executed from one single desk.

After consciously deciding to stop printing after six successful editions, I took Rajputana Collective digital. The decision wasn’t an easy one to say the least, but I knew it was the need of the hour. Print costs were escalating over and above their already exorbitant prices, and given that this wasn’t a commercial venture for me, recovering the funding I allotted to printing was just about being met. Added to that was the cost cutting wave that hit even India’s premium hotels, severely causing reluctance to my demand supply chain. I continue to be an avid lover of books and magazines in their printed form, and am often hit with the nostalgia of the good old days of print media. I couldn’t help but think- what would it be like if I was doing this somewhere in the 70’s or 80’s? I can only imagine, but the 90’s kid in me is well-versed with dramatically changing times, and so, I put my hand on my heart and threw Rajputana Collective open to the entire web space, far and beyond, wherein it was easily accessible to one and all. I haven’t regretted this move for a moment, but I allow myself to miss the thrill of printing the carefully drafted, re-drafted and proof read editions every now and then.

Despite it not being my prime source of occupation (which is, as many of you might know, a little piece of heaven nestled in the Himalayas), Rajputana Collective hasn’t been my side hustle either. When Manali’s hotels were subject to a brief season time of 90 days per year, Rajputana Collective was my ikigai. The reason for me to spring up each morning and begin creating, showcasing and highlighting some of the many stories that I think matter, that deserve to be told, even through the humble confines of my desk. I have had the good fortune of connecting with some beautiful people situated remotely from me, people I doubt I would have had the chance of knowing had it not been for my publication.
…

02/08/2023

It all began in 2006, when Kunwarani Sushila Kumari requested Maharani Sahiba of Jodhpur to permit her a small jewellery curation table at the palace store of Umaid Bhawan. Her inherent knack for pickling quality pieces and aesthetics led to Kunwarani Sushila Kumari’s pieces selling out one after the other. This initial success under Maharani Sahiba’s patronage further inspired her to lay the foundations for her very own jewellery brand, which she showcased via frequent exhibitions in her home. The sheer joy of creating new jewellery pieces, coupled with her attention to detail increased her brand’s popularity so much so, that in 2010, Chhatrala Jewels earned a store of its own and there has been no looking back since.

Read the full exclusive feature on our website!!