Diljit Dosanjh's Met Gala controversy angers Raja Kumari. Why was he denied Punjab's royal heritage worth Rs 21,000 crore?

Time of India

19-05-2025

Rapper and songwriter Raja Kumari has criticized luxury brand Cartier for denying singer Diljit Dosanjh the iconic Patiala necklace for his 2025 Met Gala appearance, calling it "performative inclusion." While Dosanjh's team was told the necklace was unavailable, a version of it was previously worn by YouTuber Emma Chamberlain in 2022. Kumari pointed to this as an example of how Western institutions continue to exoticize South Asians while failing to offer genuine representation.
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Diljit's Maharaja-Inspired Appearance
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Journey of South Asian Artists in the West
Singer-rapper Raja Kumari has strongly criticized luxury jeweller Cartier for refusing to lend their historic Patiala necklace to singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh for his appearance at the 2025 Met Gala . The incident sparked backlash, with Kumari expressing her frustration over what she called 'performative inclusion.' Her comments, shared during an interview with Mid-Day, highlighted ongoing issues surrounding South Asian representation in Western media and fashion spaces.At this year's Met Gala, Diljit Dosanjh wore an outfit that paid homage to the Maharajas of India. Styled by Abhilasha Devnani, he walked the red carpet in a custom ensemble by designer Prabal Gurung, complete with a turban, kurta, tehmat, and a sword. His team had attempted to secure the Patiala necklace from Cartier to complete the look. However, according to Devnani, they were informed that the necklace 'sits sealed in a museum.'This same piece of jewellery—or at least a portion of it—was worn in 2022 by YouTuber Emma Chamberlain at the Met Gala, raising questions about who gets access to cultural artifacts and when. The necklace, originally commissioned in 1928 by the Maharaja of Patiala, contains 2,900 diamonds and originally weighed 1,000 carats. Valued at Rs 10 crore back then, it's now estimated to be worth over Rs 21,000 crore ($2.5 billion).Raja Kumari did not hold back while addressing the issue. She pointed out that although the West continues to exoticize South Asians, artists like herself are actively resisting being boxed into stereotypes. She specifically referenced the Cartier decision as a blatant example of selective representation."For instance, why didn't Cartier give Diljit the legendary Patiala necklace for his Met Gala appearance? Instead, they gave it to a YouTuber two years ago. That kind of erasure is infuriating. It's performative inclusion," she stated during the interview. Kumari believes such actions highlight the ongoing struggle for authentic representation, despite surface-level gestures of diversity.The rapper also reflected on her early experiences in the Western music industry, noting that she was often the only Indian in professional spaces. 'Earlier, when I was writing songs for top talents, I used to be the only Indian in the room. They'd call me India or Yogi, and I'd play into it too, with lyrics about mangoes and curry,' she recalled.However, she acknowledged that there has been a gradual shift. 'Now there are more South Asian stories being told — not just by musicians, but also actors, writers, and directors,' she added. This evolution, she believes, is a sign that South Asian creators are beginning to take control of their narratives.Raja Kumari also shared how her personal experiences with cultural misunderstanding inspired her music. She recalled how her insistence on wearing a bindi was questioned by her U.S. music label. In response, she created the song Bindis and Bangles, using the track as a form of cultural assertion and resistance.Despite the disappointment surrounding the Patiala necklace, she emphasized that South Asian artists continue to carve space for themselves.