Bringing into focus the oft forgotten culture and heritage of our country, Royal Fables offers a platform for Indian royalty to display their works
In its sixth year now, Royal Fables – an exposition that presents and promotes art, fashion, jewellery, and handicrafts created by members of Indian royal families – is finally showcasing in the city. The brainchild of Anshu Khanna, the idea was to remind people of the cultural past as well as revive some of those arts and crafts. At the inaugural exhibit today at Palladium Hotel, Lower Parel, one can view and purchase pure gold woven saris by Thakurani Darshana Kumari of Mandawa; hand painted saris by Rajkumari Alkarani Singh of Pratapgarh, Palace Atelier by Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur and HH Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad of Baroda, royal costumes by Umang Hutheesing as well as photographs by Rajkumar Kartikeya Raje of Sandur; signature miniature art by Princess Vaishnavi Kumari of Kishangarh, automotive art by Rajkumari Vidita Singh of Barwani, among others.
Princess Krishna Kumari of Panna who's showcasing her porcelain art is also a wildlife photographer. She says, "I've always been interested in art like watercolours and charcoal paintings. But since 2006 I have been working with porcelain. Most of my works are based on the wildlife in Panna. I'd spend my holidays there, watching the animals for hours on end. At that time we didn't have national parks, so we could spend as much time as we liked trying to capture them on camera. I then edit these pictures and translate them on porcelain." Textile historian Umang Hutheesing who works towards restoring regal costumes says, "Ever since the Chamber of Princes has been abolished, there's not been any forum, where royal India could collectively present the work they are doing. We are creating products which uplift and benefit the region directly, which is very important. Since I have inherited a large collection of royal costumes, I have many palace craftsmen working with me and have started a program of reviving old designs from my collection."
Every year Royal Fables tries to bring together different princes and princesses from across the country to display their work. Anshu explains, "I'm not interested in their royal life. I'm trying to tell people that though you may have an Armani or a Birkin, add a heritage piece to your wardrobe. You may like the finest music but listen to a darbar music CD. We're not saying the royals are so rich, but rather look at their work with what is their heritage and see if we can conserve it."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}