Raja Kumari criticizes Cartier for denying the Patiala necklace to Diljit Dosanjh for the Met Gala

Time of India

19-05-2025

Rapper and songwriter
Raja Kumari
has voiced her strong disapproval of
Cartier
's reported decision to deny
the iconic
Patiala necklace
for his Met Gala appearance. In an interview with Mid-Day, Raja Kumari pointed out the discrepancy, noting that the same necklace, or a part of it, was reportedly given to a YouTuber, Emma Chamberlain, two years prior.
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She argued that while the "West still exoticizes us," South Asian artists are "pushing back, saying that we're more than their stereotype."
Raja Kumari's take on the representation of South Asian artists in the West
The rapper discussed the evolving representation of South Asian artists in Western media. She recalled her earlier experiences as a songwriter, where she was often referred to as "India or Yogi" and sometimes played into stereotypical themes in her lyrics.
However, she emphasized the significant progress, stating, "Now there are more South Asian stories being told — not just by musicians, but also actors, writers, and directors."
Raja Kumari's Voices against Cartier's decision
Addressing the situation with Diljit Dosanjh and the Cartier necklace, Raja Kumari expressed her frustration. "For instance, why didn't Cartier give Diljit the legendary Patiala necklace for his Met Gala appearance? Instead, they gave it to a YouTuber (Emma Chamberlain) two years ago.
That kind of erasure is infuriating. It's performative inclusion." She further highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by South Asian artists in maintaining their cultural identity, referencing her own experience: "They (US music label) couldn't understand why I insisted on wearing a bindi. That inspired my song, Bindis and Bangles."
Diljit Dosanjh's Met Gala look and the Patiala Necklace
For his Met Gala appearance, Diljit Dosanjh embraced a regal Maharaja aesthetic in a custom Prabal Gurung ensemble, featuring a turban, kurta, and tehmat, complemented by a sword.
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His team reportedly attempted to secure the Patiala necklace for the event but were unsuccessful. The Patiala necklace, commissioned by the Maharaja of Patiala from Cartier in 1928, was an extraordinary piece weighing 1,000 carats and containing 2,900 diamonds, valued at ₹10 crore at the time (equivalent to approximately $2.5 billion or ₹21,000 crore today).
Contradictory reports on the necklace's availability
According to a report in the New York Times, Diljit's stylist, Abhilasha Devnani, "tried to borrow that iconic Cartier necklace for the night" but was informed that "it sits sealed in a museum."
However, Raja Kumari's statement references Emma Chamberlain wearing a Cartier choker in 2022 that was reportedly a part of the Patiala Necklace, creating a contradiction regarding the necklace's accessibility and leading to accusations of selective and "performative inclusion."