In India, royalty was abolished in 1971, and after a federal government was established, royal positions were reduced to mere titles. However, a large number of Indian royal dynasties continue to play an integral role in the fabric of the nation’s culture. Their young scions are promoting heritage protection while restoring antiquated and extinct traditions in handicrafts, handlooms, painting, architecture, and other fields, just like their illustrious forebears who were well-known patrons of the arts.
Brijeshwari Kumari Gohil, Gujurat
Princess Brijeshwari Kumari Gohil, who is descended from the Bhavnagar royal dynasty in the western Indian state of Gujarat, is passionate about her heritage. The young heiress is using technology to make the interesting history of Sihor, a municipality in Bhavnagar and the residence of her family, accessible to the general public. Sihor was ruled over by Maharaja Raol Thakore Sahib Takhtsinhji Jaswantsinhji Sahib, who reigned from 1870 to 1896. As part of her endeavor, the 28-year-old is digitally categorizing artworks, manuscripts, letters, registers, books, and even furniture at her palace in Bhavnagar for future generations and historical researchers.
One of Gujarat’s oldest heritage hotels, Nilambag Palace, as well as Narayani Heritage and Gopnath Bungalow are among the family’s ancestral assets that Gohil’s family is actively committed to preserving. A boutique shop, which is a component of the palace, highlights local handicrafts like beading. The metal craft artisans of Sihor, who are fighting to preserve their craft due to declining demand, are a special emphasis area.
Jaidev Singh, Rajasthan
Jaidev Singh, a young investment banker and Cornell University major in economics and business, is a descendant of the Rajasthani Kota family, which dates back to the thirteenth century. His main passion, nevertheless, is promoting Kota as a major tourist destination worldwide. He bemoans the fact that Kota is still undiscovered whereas Rajasthan receives its fair share of tourists.
Additionally, Singh’s family is active in maintaining the magnificent Brijraj Bhawan Palace Hotel, which is now a boutique hotel and also their place of residence.
Additionally, he aids regional artists who create Kota’s renowned miniature paintings, a field of art that lacks government funding. Singh’s engagement in rebuilding Kota’s legendary cenotaphs is a result of his interest in historic architecture.
Yaduveer Wadiyar, Karnataka
Yaduveer Wadiyar, a member of one of Asia’s wealthiest families, is the great-grandson of Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the final monarch of the Mysore State. The Wadiyar family, which was founded in 1399, controlled the regal Mysore State for more than 600 years.
Yaduveer, 30, is referred to as the Maharaja of Mysore and is the 27th nominal ruler of the city. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with degrees in literature and economics, and he currently directs a number of outreach initiatives for the underprivileged.
Yeshwant Holkar, Madhya Pradesh
Yeshwant Holkar, a grandson of the final maharaja of Maheshwar in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is an advocate for cultural preservation. The 40-year-old guy oversees three exquisite heritage hotels, two of which are in his native state and one of which is in Goa.
The promotion of Maheshwar’s renowned handlooms, especially Maheshwari saris which have even attracted the attention of international superstars like Pamela Anderson and Elizabeth Hurley, is one of Holkar’s other endeavors. For this purpose, the Holkar family established two nonprofit organizations: Women Weaves and Rehwa Society, which both work to modernize and market traditional handloom fabrics for both domestic and international markets. The Ahilya Bai Holkar Trust is another organization that maintains and repairs 240 historic sites throughout the nation, including cenotaphs, temples, riverbanks, and shrines.
Trishikha Kumari Devi, Karnataka
Trishikha Kumari Devi, a princess from Dungarpur, Rajasthan, is a fervent supporter of the Channapatna toys, which have been given the Geographical Indication designation. These toys include brightly colored wooden dolls, tiny wooden utensils, and brightly lac-colored birds and animals made with non-toxic dyes.
The toys were formerly highly prized for their distinctive quality and exquisite finish. A decade ago, mass-produced and significantly less expensive Chinese toys flooded the Indian market, driving down demand for handcrafted and painted toys made by skilled artisans.
For the promotion of these toys, she set up an online market. Because of how well-liked they are, the daughters of former US president Barack Obama played with a Channapatna Gombe (doll) at the White House after bringing one back from India during their trip there in 2010. The first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, was so enamored with the toys that she even purchased a Channapatna train, dolls, Ganesha idols, and key chains for her friends back home.
News Mania Desk
