In conversation with Vijay Singh Ajairajpura, the driving force behind Rajputana Customs Motorcycles (RCM), a Jaipur-based motorcycle outfit that changed the face of bike restoration in this part of the world. Thanks to his father’s long-standing affair with two-wheelers, a young Vijay Singh Ajairajpura got introduced to motorcycles much earlier than his contemporaries did. He grew up riding a 500 CC BSA Falcon before getting onto bigger beasts. Upon completing his higher s

Once in a year, during the onset of the Hindu New Year, people from all spheres and walks of life unite to celebrate the divine wedlock of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva in Rajasthan’s most important local festival. The celestial communion of Gan (Shiva) with Gauri (Parvati), Gangaur entails a series of communal prayers, fast observances, domestic rituals and festive processions that bring Rajasthan to its celebratory best; and culminates in the bidaai ceremony or departure

“I realised that no credible online resources existed for rajput families that were looking for matches for their children. There were a couple of commercially motivated players, but nothing that had the personal touch, albeit virtual, of a confident and counsel in a matter which is perhaps the most important to parents” says Kunwarani Tripti Singh, the founder and pioneering lady behind Gathjor, the first-ever online matrimonial community dedicated specifically to Rajputs wo

Back in February 2015, Indian media and news channels were rife with what was commonly as a ‘cross-border Royal wedding’ between the state of Amarkot in Pakistan’s Sindh district and Kanota in India’s state of Rajasthan. Kunwar Karni Singh Sodha, the 27th generation of Amarkot’s Sodha dynasty was tying the knot with Rajkumari Padmini Singh Rathore, daughter Kanota’s Thakur Man Singhji. Known to have ushered the first tika and lagan ceremonies from India to Pakistan in the nat

Striding past Rajasthan’s Vidhan Sabha corridors with his invigorating and jovial persona, he has earned his veteran status in the field through much blood, sweat and tears of humility and gratitude. An esteemed members of Raje-led BJP government of Rajasthan, he counts amongst Rajasthan’s leading visionaries and perpetrators of social change at levels spanning from superlative to grass-root levels. His inborn qualities of ingenuity, simplicity and an unparalleled loyalty tow

Since time immemorial, the ceremonial pomp and glamour of Rajput weddings, coronations and gatherings have been complimented by the sheer diversity of royal attires and jewellery adorned by their attendees. Family heirlooms have been carefully preserved, inherited and displayed on these varied occasions whereby various ensembles convey historic tales of their own. Amidst the native jugalbandi of Jodhpuri safas, Gujarati patolas, Marwari poshaaks and zardosi achkans, one