Yashaswini Kaushal reports on the interview with the Prince Padhmanabh in a recent visit to City Palace with Saksham Sanchar Foundation..
Students of Culture and Media Studies from Central University of Rajasthan and students of JECRC University Jaipur had the honour of interacting with Sawai Padhmanabh Singh, the charismatic and modest Maharaja of Jaipur, during a university tour. This meeting, which was held in the magnificent Chandra Palace Museum, revealed both the young Maharaja’s captivating personality and the imperial splendour of the palace. The student’s eager and inquisitive inquiries provided a fascinating window into the Maharaja’s life, principles, and goals.
Fashioning a Cultural Connection:
The first question posed to the Maharaja revolved around his renowned sense of style. He is often hailed as one of India’s most stylish royals. He revealed, with a soft smile, that he doesn’t have to go far to take the inspiration as his family and Jaipur’s rich cultural heritage served as his sources of fashion inspiration. He mentioned name of Maharani Gayatri Devi, who was also a leading fashion icon herself. He emphasised the value of international promotion of regional fashion and craftsmanship. He proudly displayed his traditional Jaipuri jutti and mulmul shirt, emphasizing that such attire not only connected him to his roots but also showcased India’s rich fashion heritage.
A significant point he made was about the Nehru collar, clarifying that it should be recognized as an “Indian collar,” highlighting the need for the world to acknowledge India’s contributions to global fashion.
Pride in Scientific Advancements:
When asked about India’s recent achievement with Chandrayaan 3, Maharaja Padhmanabh Singh’s pride in the country’s scientific and technological advancement was evident. He discussed India’s past accomplishments in science and technology while recalling the efforts of his ancestor Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II, who promoted the use of technologies such as cameras and eyeglasses, and Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, who made the Jantar Mantar Observatory. He expressed his pride in India’s success and claimed that the country has consistently shown itself to be an innovator in the field of technology and will do so in future as well.
Carrying the Legacy of Sports:
The Maharaja expressed his delight in being part of a victorious polo team, a sport that holds a special place in the history of the Jaipur royals. He acknowledged the influence of his great-grandfather, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh, a legendary polo player. He believes that his family has made significant contributions to the world of sports and continues to carry forward this legacy with pride.
Living Tradition:
Responding to a question about the age-old tradition of seeking the darshan (sight) of Lord Krishna at the Govind Dev Temple, The Maharaja said that his family continues the long-standing custom of visiting the Govind Dev Temple in order to see Lord Krishna. He added a personal touch by mentioning how fortunate he is to be able to see Lord Krishna from his chamber both before going to bed at night and when he wakes up in the morning. He also brought up the grandiose Janmashtami celebration hosted in the palace, highlighting Govind Dev’s crucial contribution the city and emphasised that his blessings have caused the city to prosper.
Balancing Tradition and International Presence:
Maharaja Padhmanabh Singh talked about how he stays closely connected to his traditional roots despite his involvement in international affairs. He was extremely proud of Indian culture, praising its uniqueness and depth of heritage. He actively promotes Indian culture and values wherever he goes, hoping to show the world how rich the culture is.
Princess Diya Kumari Foundation’s Empowerment Mission:.
The Maharaja concluded by shedding light on the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation, dedicated to empowering disadvantaged women and girls in rural Rajasthan. He emphasised Gaurvi Kumari’s energetic leadership of the foundation. He expressed his satisfaction at helping a cause that improves the lives of rural Rajasthani women and supporting their livelihood through Rajasthani crafts.
He thinks that the goal of the foundation is to preserve and promote Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage while also improving the lives of the state’s skilled female artisans.
In this remarkable encounter, the students had the privilege of glimpsing not only the grandeur of Jaipur’s royalty but also the depth of its commitment to tradition, culture, and empowerment. Maharaja Padhmanabh Singh’s words resonated as a testament to the enduring legacy of the royal family and its dedication to serving the people of Rajasthan.