Diary One

Meeting With a Senior

As I enter the posh apartment in a multi-story building with a breath taking view in Gurgaon, I am filled with curiosity. Not only am I meeting a vivacious senior from my school but also a girl from a royal lineage, who can be best described as an achiever at her age. As we get comfortable on the sofa set, the conversation starts to flow in the greatest of form. Meeting Medhjaa Kumari Jamwal is a big, big pleasure.

I start reminiscing of her mother, Baiji Raj Trivikrama Kumari of Udaipur – Mewar, who also happens to be my teacher and a relative, which I came to know much later from my own mother. Her mother, despite being a princess, has adapted to a modern life in Gurgaon and chosen academics as her profession, which is highly admirable. The transition seems to be comfortable and it transcends to the next generation as well.

I start the interview with the thoughts of a regular teenager who loves being independent; she is the girl next door who loves her family and friends dearly.

It is interesting to know from Medhjaa that her mother, who is the most influential person in her life, has raised her to be a self – reliant and respectful young lady, well aware of the realities of life. She says, “I do my dishes on my own and clean my room, the most important thing for me is to be completely  independent.”

The confused and exploring side of Medhjaa ventured into news reporting internship and media activation programs. Her mantra is to stand up with integrity, dedication and passion and make her family proud. She is currently pursuing her bachelors degree in Sociology from Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University.

In between sips of fresh mint soda, a recipe derived from her paternal grandmother we dissect the genre of today’s life and challenges. The 19-year-old Medhjaa describes and recalls her fondest memory of Udaipur and Jammu, both being her maternal and paternal homes.  She recalls how her Nana (Maharana Saheb Mahendra Singh Udaipur – Mewar) had this bed, which had a little space above, where Medhjaa and her cousins used to do somersaults and back flips from, and fall onto her Nana’s lap. She adds that she and her Dada (Thakur Divakar Singh) used to go and feed the chickens and the cows and make friends in their village in Jammu. The conversation continues with Medhjaa recalling how her grandparent’s narrated stories of historical importance with such ease, each of them staying with her even today.

She adds, “school will always remain my second home. It is the one place that taught me to be myself, find my individuality and also discover world cultures, beside my own.”

She vehemently endorses that she always respects her roots. During her visits, she likes to absorb the beautiful surroundings of her maternal and paternal  homes. An avid traveler, she often ends up travelling to close by places and discovering newer worlds.

She talks of a career to pursue, a life to live in modern India, with a constant link to her rich culture and part. I instantly know that wherever she goes and whatever she does, a bit of Udaipur and Jammu will be with her forever.

Diary Two

The Fairy Tale Debutante: Princess Gauravi Kumari

Out of the silken darkness, emerged the city of Jaipur. I have always been mesmerized by the grandeur of the city of Jaipur and its vibrant culture. I rushed to be on time, dealing with the hustling peak hour traffic of Gurgaon, to get a glimpse of the city through the words of a person who has seen Jaipur like no other. I can not think of anyone better than Princess Gauravi Kumari, daughter of Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur and Maharaj Narendra Singh, to tell me more about what I could just see.

As soon as I entered Maharani Bagh, I was ushered in by a uniformed security guard and a woman who carried the essence of Rajasthan in the drapes of her Salwar Kameez and beautiful pair of anklets. They led me to a beautifully furnished drawing room to meet Princess Gauravi Kumari. She adorned a pair of black leggings and a tee, with her fascinating black hair open. She started the conversation by making me comfortable with a warm hug and we instantly started talking after taking our seat on the sofa.

Princess Gauravi described her personality to be patient, understanding and positive. She worships her hero, her mother, Princess Diya Kumari, who is a sitting MLA from Sawai Madhopur. She reminisced that while growing up, she always looked upon her mother who dedicated her life to her political position, family business and her three children, and never missed out on any one of these by making sure that she manages it well and give equal time to all three.

On asking if she would ever follow the footsteps of her mother into politics, she showed more interest in being a part of her mother’s Princess Diya Kumari Foundation. She has an elder brother, His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur and a younger brother, His Highness Maharaja Lakshraj Prakash of Sirmaur. Reminiscing her childhood, she remembers how she and her younger brother would go to the Rajmahal with their grandfather, His Late Highness Brigadier Maharaja Sawai Bhawani Singh ji of Jaipur, to spend time with him and swim. It was one of the most memorable times of her life since those were the last few years that she spent with her grandfather.

Till the 6^th grade, she studied at her mother’s school, Maharaja Bhawani Singh school, Jaipur, while enjoying the palace life on the side and spending quality time with her family. Her grandmother, Her Highness Rajmata Saheba Padmini Devi of Jaipur, celebrated all the festivals like Holi and Teej amongst others. These celebrations united their family with the people of Jaipur and strengthened their bonds with the well wishers and the people of Jaipur.

Princess Gauravi fondly recalled about the coronation of her elder brother. He was given a huge responsibility at the tender age of 12 and she admires him for he has been executing it with brilliance. Recalling the time when she was growing up, she lived in her heritage palace and thus is a promoter of the concept of preservation of heritage and maintaining the legacy. She put forward her strong views about the fact that people are forgetting about the heritage and disregarding it.

When I asked about her hobbies, she revealed that her passion for writing gave her the title of the editor of her school’s magazine. She is an avid book reader and has played hockey for 6 years. She showcased her love for dogs and how much she misses her pooches. She talked about the difference in her birthday celebrations at home compared to Mayo College. While she had grand celebrations at home for her birthday, Mayo was comparatively mute with just her close friends who she believes will always be by her side. Her school gave her the opportunity to balance between extra curricular and academics, along with cherished memories of school trips with her dear friends.

She has recently finished her freshman year in New York University. Princess Gauravi Kumari will declare her major by the end of two years. This spring, she plans on studying a semester in Florence, Italy. For her, it is not difficult to stay in New York because she has learnt how to be independent as she was in a boarding school. On finding a cultural difference, she says that she has managed well with the company of her friends.

For her future, she wants to enjoy her life and what she is doing at the time, just like the present. For the stand of Indian Royalty, Princess Gauravi Kumari told me that the people of Jaipur have long standing respect for her family and they reciprocate it too. With an ending note, I wish her luck for her future endeavours and hope to see her carry the flagship of Jaipur Royal family, high and mighty in the future.

Diary Three

The All-Rounder Katoch

After one call to Tika Ambikeshwar Katoch, I get a prompt reply to meet up at his residence in Greater Kailash. As I saunter into his house, I can only imagine his childhood amid hectic political activities of his grandmother, Maharani Chandresh Kumari of Kangra – Lambagraon, in Himachal Pradesh.

As I enter, I see a huge portrait of Raja Saheb of Mandi, wearing his traditional attire, adorning the wall. The interview begins with Ambikeshwar describing himself as a responsible and focused leader. I also learn about his unfaltering inclination towards shooting and cricket. He reminisces his childhood days in Kangra where the festival of Holi was played on a lavish scale with 600 people.

Furthermore, he chats about finishing his first year at Loughborough University in United Kingdom where he is currently studying Politics with Economics so that he can ultimately fulfil his dream to work in the United Nations. Having to move from an environment where someone does your work to doing all your work, like cooking and cleaning, he says that he has learnt to be independent. According to him, the studies are tough but his experience in the UK has been good. Tika Ambikeshwar Katoch says that not only did he enjoy his first year at university but it was also productive as he became the Treasurer of the Model United Nation (MUN) society and the Secretary of the Loughborough University Clay Pigeon Shooting Team.

A happy Ambikeshwar also tells me that he was selected in the Indian Clay Pigeon Shooting Team. He considers shooting as a prescriptive hobby, taking after his ancestors. He has also represented Rajasthan in under 14,16 and 18 cricket teams.

Dwelling into the conversation, he says that his family history goes back to Mahabharat and he is vociferous to promote the Katoch name just like his father, Tikaraj Ashwarya Singh of Kangra, who has opened a museum in the Kangra fort.

Alumni of Delhi Public School, Saket, Ambikeshwar says that he has always “stayed on track”. It was an awakening for him when he shifted from his mother, Tikarani Shailaja Katoch’s school in Dharamshala to a posh international school in New Delhi. He believes in the mantra – Ignorance Is Bliss – so when he felt the modern societal pressures that any student in New Delhi feels, in terms of how many shoes one has or how many cars one owns, he was able to stride comfortably, adapt and overcome these pressures. Ambikeshwar amusingly compares this transition from Himachal Pradesh to New Delhi to a one car and three car requirement where a car is needed for every occasion in New Delhi. 

When I steered the conversation towards heritage and lineage of his roots, he promptly replied saying that it is a great responsibility and is one second to lose and a hundred years to make. Therefore, he has taken the opportunity to go to United Kingdom very seriously. He proclaims that he wants to concentrate on clay pigeon shooting and counter cricket in the UK. He also states that it was a worthwhile effort to apply overseas for a bachelor’s degree and spend sleepless nights researching which got him admission into six universities in the United Kingdom, providing him with a number of great options.

We digress the conversation to fitness where he proudly says that he has given up on eating pizza in order to become fit. All-rounder, Ambikeshwar also shares his liking for fishing, trekking and driving.

Diary Four

The Maverick from Santrampur

On a dusty Sunday afternoon, I make my journey towards Safdarjung
Enclave to interview Yuvraj Saheb Vrishankaditya Parmar of Santrampur
who describes himself as passionate, ambitious and caring. He
reverberates famous actor and filmmaker, Al Pacino’s words, “I asked
God for a bike but I know God doesn’t work that way. So, I stole a
bike and asked God for forgiveness”.

As I settle in his living room, absorbing the wise quote, I learn that
Vrishankaditya’s inspiration is his maternal grandfather, the famous
politician – Raja Saheb Digvijay Singh of Raghogarh – from whom he
learnt time management. Heritage for Yuvraj Saheb Vrishankaditya
Parmar means representation of culture and lineage in the fickle
world. He feels honoured and privileged to be born into such a huge
legacy.

We venture into deep conversations and I discover that Vrishankaditya is a reticent actor who loves Bollywood and admires the King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan. He also wants to go to New York Film Academy to study acting.

He warms up about his fondest memory of his sister, Yuvrani Saheba Kritiranjini Kumari of Bhavnagar’s wedding with Yuvraj Saheb Jaiveerraj Singh Gohil of Bhavnagar, reminiscing the chuniri ceremony
being special for him. Vrishankaditya has also been training in trap
shooting from the age of 5 and he has also represented India in the
Junior Indian Team for Shotgun (trap) Shooting.

According to him, his ancestor, His Highness Maharana Joraver Singh of Santrampur was the most visionary king of Santrampur and now
Vrishankaditya’s father, His Highness Maharana Saheb Paranjayaditya
Parmar of Santrampur, has respectfully taken over the responsibilities
entailing the family’s glorious history. Speaking about his
inspiration, he says that his father has always been there to support
him and his dreams along with his mother, Her Highness Maharani Saheba
Mandakini Kumari of Santrampur.

He is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree from Hansraj College, Delhi University, along with training in trap shooting and planning his acting and film course.

Yuvraj Saheb Vrishankaditya Parmar of Santrampur wants to be known as a strong headed individual. Ten years from now, he wishes to begin his journey as an assistant director in the industry.

Diary Five

From Muli to Mumbai

I was exhilarated to meet Tika Saheb Pratyaksh Sinh Parmar, the dapper scion from the royal family of Muli. It was doubly special for me to meet him because his great grandmother, Rajmata Saheba Rajendra Kumari of Muli, and my great grandmother, Rajmata Sushila Kumari of Bikaner, happened to be sisters, making us cousins in the complicated yet close-knit web of Rajput familial relationships.

We settle into a breezy yet enlightening conversation where he describes himself as ambitious, loyal and sincere. Pratyaksh says that he has always looked up to his father, Yuvraj Saheb Ranjit Sinh Parmar for guidance, who never fails to deliver it in an inimitable manner. He calls his father his hero, whose immensely articulate, focused and driven qualities Pratyaksh wishes to emulate.

His fondest memory is the birth of his younger sister, Kumari Saheba Vidarshana Kumari, who came as a vibrant little addition to the family after 2 generations of only boys. He adds that he is grateful for a supportive family who keep each other grounded at all times. Pratyaksh also holds a very special bond with his cousin brother, Yuvraj Saheb Vrishankaditya Parmar of Santrampur.  He feels like they are real siblings and love hanging out together.

Pratyaksh studied at The Doon School where he was also the captain of the Jaipur house. Studying in a boarding school, he says that he learnt to be independent. He also developed strong bonds with some friends who treat one another like family.

He is currently studying Economics at ST. Xavier’s College in Mumbai. Other than being a national level swimmer, Pratyaksh enjoys football and photography.

Pratyaksh says that he is fully aware of the incredible cultural and historical legacy with its ancient traditions of honour and valour that he is expected to carry forward. His grandfather, Thakore Saheb Jitendra Sinh Parmar, told him that the best ways to fulfil his responsibilities is to build a name for himself that is even more recognizable than that of the princely state he comes from. This is, thus, one such ideal around which he models the choices he makes in his life.

After finishing his bachelors, he wants to go to Columbia to pursue his post-graduation and come back to Mumbai to make a mark and expertise in the field of finance.

Diary Six

The Jhala from Jhalawar

With great pleasure, I go to interview Rajkumar Shri Jaisal Z.S. Jhala of Jhalawar who is passionate, caring, crazy and a master of spontaneous decisions. The first thing I learn is his idiom for life – ‘Be allergic to average and always perform one step ahead’. Jaisal believes that every opportunity needs preparation. Therefore, he remains motivated and is always on his toes with the guidance from his father, Maharaj Kumar Shri Mahijit Singh Saheb of Jhalawar, who he calls – ‘very practical’.

He holds very strong views about bonding and interactions amongst family members. Rajkumar Shri Jaisal revisits fond memories of his paternal grandmother, Shrimati Maharani Ila Devi Saheba of Jhalawar, who used to gather a lot of loyalists for tea and chit-chat. We touch upon Jaisal’s childhood where he studied at the Indian School which nurtured his thoughts with the idea to do an internship in France. He cherishes his trip to France and says that it was very close to his heart. 

While growing up, he dreamt of being the famous character ‘Batman’ and his late brother (Rajkumar Shri Abhijeet Singh Jhala) was supposed to be ‘Superman’. He remembers how he had to bear the loss of his real brother and sister (Rajkumari Yashodara Kumari Saheba) passing away at a young age. His sister loved and cared for him, especially during car journeys between Jhalawar and New Delhi. His brother taught him the determination to do his best in life with mind and heart. After his brother and sister, he has developed a stronger bond with his niece and nephew, and loves being with and around them.

His passion for cars is unbelievable. He loves collecting and making replicas and scaled down models of cars. He is an admirer of such machines and considers them to be works of art.

Talking about his mother, Maharani Kumari Shrimati Bharti Kumari Saheba of Jhalawar’s, home town, Bhuj in Kutchh, he smartly analyses that there is an absence of places to visit and hotels to stay, even with Mandvi beach being just two hours away from main Bhuj.

The young Jhala echoes his thoughts of post-independence which he believes were like scars and was also unfair for the royals. They formed cities which were snatched away by the government. Jaisal says that he is not interested in politics and calls it a game. For him, its not about taking sides but to be one with all in Jhalawar.

We come to the internal topic of lineage, legacy and heritage that Jaisal has been gifted by his ancestors who built the history over the years. Jaisal responds saying that he will willingly take care of his heritage and fully take the legacy forward. The genre of his legacy is a precious gift and a privilege for Jaisal to embolden not only in his own eyes but also in the eyes of his parents and the people who look up to the family of Jhalawar.

I conclude the conversation with Rajkumar Shri Jaisal Z.S. Jhala of Jhalawar talking about wildlife photography, painting and stories of World War II being his latest interest. I am moved by his punctual demeanor and his shyness and hope to see Jaisal in the future running various enterprises.