Princess Gauravi Kumari is part of Jaipur’s new creative set that is bringing fresh perspectives to the city’s design legacy. Her love for Jaipur’s heritage and craft is evident in her work with the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation (PDKF), design initiatives like The Palace Atelier, and the impetus to place Rajasthan’s karigars and their art on a global platform. She is part of a new wave of creatives for whom Jaipur is both an inspiration and a playing field. Over the course of the morning, she transforms into Condé Nast Traveller’s cover model, dressed in made-in-Jaipur designs, sharing anecdotes as we walk through the different wings of the City Palace.
Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur on growing up in Jaipur and how it has changed:
“My memories of Jaipur till I was 11 years old were about my family and my home. After that, I left for boarding school followed by university in New York. What changed when I returned to Jaipur was my perspective of how I looked at the city and I became more appreciative of its heritage. There are so many things happening in the Old City and it looks so different by day and by night when its shops and monuments all light up. There is a lovely old library on Chaura Rasta that one would have missed if not for the fact that someone has now put its name on the wall to identify it. Many Jaipur locals organise walks here just to make people aware of the different architectural motifs. I feel like people have become more aware of their heritage and want to promote it.”
One thing about the city that Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur misses the most when she is away:
“Every time I step out of Jaipur, I have this feeling of wanting to come back. And every time I come back, it is like nothing has changed. That is the reassurance of home. The one visual thing that I miss the most when I’m far away is the Jaipur pink. When you enter the walled city, it is everywhere and this particular shade is something I love.”
On protecting Rajasthan’s craft legacy, Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur says:
“There are so many crafts in this state and the first thing you need to do is to identify the craft, educate yourself about it, and then see how you can make it relevant in today’s world. Take the case of blue pottery. All the plates and pots sold in the bazaar are very similar in their patterns. I think the way ahead would be to take this technique and make it more relevant to a global audience by making the designs more modern and functional. I also feel individuals like me, who have a platform to promote this craft, should do so in whatever capacity they can, whether it’s on Instagram, through events, or workshops. It is also really important to create the right connections and establish networks between the karigars and other designers and creatives so that there are many avenues for them to promote their craft, create awareness about it, and generate a sustainable livelihood.”
If a friend was visiting Jaipur for the first time and Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur had to play guide, where would she go:
“The first thing I would do is take them shopping at any of the local bazaars dedicated to specific craft communities. I would take them to Maniharon Ka Rasta in the Old City and get them some lac bangles and then to Johari bazaar, for some local jewellery. For food, I would take people to Pandit Kulfi for kulfi or to Laxmi Misthan Bhandar for its ghevar. If sweets are not their thing, then it would be Rawat Misthan Bhandar for its kachori. Next on the list would be a quick whirl through Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, and Jaigarh Fort. Finally, I would take them to watch a polo game as this is a unique experience and would add a short horse riding session as well. We would wind down for dinner and drinks at the Polo Palladio Jaipur. It’s my favourite spot in the city and the ceiling has all the names of my brother’s horses etched on it.”
On where Princess Gauravi Kumari of Jaipur would travel in India for an art-and design-focused experience:
“I would love to go to Varanasi as I have a friend who works with Banarasi fabrics and that is something I would love to see at source. I would also love to go to Lucknow to see the chikankari workshops. A place that I have visited and would definitely like to go back to is Molela village in Rajasthan, which is known for its stunning terracotta art.”
