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Economic Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Move over SoBo, Lutyens...Jaipur's where they really Royalty cosplay
JI HUZOOR, NAHIN HUZOOR, THREE BAGS FULL HUZOOR Yes, parties still happen in Mumbai and Delhi. But where does Dua Lipa perform on NYE? Where do film stars go when they want privacy? Jaipur. The Pink City has nurtured a distinct party culture that isn't a spillover from Delhi or Bollywood but something its own. Jaipur has long had its high-society ecosystem, rooted in royalty, polo, and heritage venues, drawing elite celebs, both Indian and global. Grand palace hotels offer a kind of luxury that Mumbai and Delhi, for all their opulence, struggle to replicate. But Jaipur has also evolved. A newer creative class - designers, artists, hoteliers - has deepened the city's cultural capital. Edgy new labels blend modern minimalism with craft heritage. Design schools thrive alongside block printers. Art residencies and pop-ups share space with durbars. Vivienne Westwood may still launch in Mumbai. But Rahul Mishra takes Rajasthan to Paris Couture Week. Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) began at the historic Diggi Palace. Even as it now unfolds across larger venues like Hotel Clarks Amer, its spirit remains royal boho. A writer's ball at The Leela Palace, a poetry reading under frescoed ceilings... the result is a literary scene with enough glitter to keep the global gaze returning. The polo circuit is key. Padmanabh Singh, 'maharaja' of Jaipur, is often dubbed the 'new polo prince'. Many of the city's exclusive parties orbit around the sport, bringing together aristocrats, industrialists, and an international crowd. These gatherings double as soft diplomacy and old-money networking, wrapped in candlelight and designers once came to Jaipur to 'source', Ralph Lauren recently sponsored a gala dinner to raise funds for the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation. Diljit Dosanjh has performed here. International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) chose Jaipur for its silver jubilee least one princess of yore now serves as a luxury brand ambassador. Gayatri Devi, 'brand ambassador of Rajasthan', never exchanged her name for official endorsement. She was a real princess -- until India abolished titles in an active - even public - palace life contribute to Jaipur's contemporary relevance? There's a connection between private palace parties shared on social media, and Jaipur's climb on global 'best party cities' lists. If Gaj Singh - who made Jodhpur a post-liberalisation destination by turning one part of his palace into a heritage hotel and hosting elite New Year parties - then descendants of Jaipur's royalty have carried that spirit forward by carving a niche for a certain kind of party, ticking all the right boxes of local heritage and global polish. Socially exclusive, but not as performative as Delhi. Culturally insidious in its way. If you're not inside the palace rubbing shoulders with modern courtiers, you're at the hotel next door, close enough to feel the aura. There's a sense of authenticity to the 'heritage'. A 2019 Daily Mail story asked, 'Would you go and stay with the world's most eligible royal?' It continued, 'Maharajah of Jaipur, 21, who's just listed his palace on Airbnb, boasts a £500 mn fortune, has modelled for D&G, and counts A-listers as friends.'It's about old-money ease, and quiet cultural prestige - the kind of soft spectacle where the powerful flex their might be it via an untagged post, or a centuries-old motif reinterpreted on a linen napkin. Just ask Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Or David Jaipur's cultural success also raises an unresolved question: should we still be backing a 'princess' brand in a land where royal titles were abolished by law? India was meant to break from feudalism, not repackage it for global consumption. Yet, the appetite for soft power royalty remains, just as Britain clings to the Windsors, or binges on 'The Crown'. Now, we too have 'Royals', a fictional version on a streaming platform. The difference? Brits still have a real crown. For us, as one 'royal' insider put it, 'It's a shortcut. The dazzle isn't built on substance. That makes it an unstable model.'Still, the illusion holds - by filtered Instagram stories, curated guest lists, and a heritage that never fades. The crowns may be gone, but in Jaipur, performative royalty plays on: globally admired, digitally staged, and always just out of reach. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. 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Khaleej Times
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
MasterChef Australia's Matt Preston: 'Cuisines are like children – I love them all'
The Speaker's Lounge at Jaipur Lit Fest (JLF) was filled with the delectable aroma of freshly baked chocolate au pain as the pale afternoon light filtered through the curtains and into the space where I was supposed to meet Matt Preston, one of the MasterChef Australia jury members who happened to be my co-panellist in an upcoming session. Looking around, I noticed the enigmatic Preston sitting at a distance, his face half lit by soft light, familiar expression on, and his signature scarf around his neck. Over his masala chai and my espresso doppio we got down to talking about food. Having published his memoir Big Mouth recently, Preston was more than buoyant. To add to that he was in a part of the world that he loves — South Asia, India, Middle East, East Asia — and there was much to talk about. Cue the questions, including where Preston's journey really began. 'Literally from my grandfather's greenhouse to pick tomatoes in the low golden rays of the end to a summer's warm day. The hempy herbaceousness that filled the glasshouse and the warmth of the plump flank that had been basking in the sun for the afternoon. It was, however, a World Cup Willy nougat bar that I saved four weeks of pocket money to buy [that made an impression]; I can vividly remember standing on the top step of the local corner store holding the bar to the sky like I'd just drawn Excalibur from the stone. It actually wasn't very nice when I tried it — it was dry and teeth-pullingly chewy. The tomato was way better.' Preston's career in food was cemented with his move to Australia, 'It was a Cinderella moment, a friend suggested to her partner (who needed a restaurant writer for her new magazine) that I might fit the bill. I'd been writing about TV (specially about Australian soap operas like Neighbours and Home & Away for UK magazines) since arriving in Australia and so getting paid to eat out seemed as good a lurk (just like getting paid to watch TV).' Australia was perhaps his lucky charm for MasterChef Australia, world's OG food reality show, would happen soon. 'I was rung by the daughter in law of my mum's best friend in Australia — they had been kindergarten teachers together in London back in their 20s. She wanted to pick my brains about chefs to audition for the two judging roles on MasterChef Australia. I must have impressed her with my knowledge because she asked to see a picture and the story goes as we were talking she sent it to the launch producer, who sent it to EP (the executive producer) who sent it to the head of the network. They all loved my rather shabby chic appearance and the rag around my neck. Without asking for a CV or any reference or a list of the awards I'd won, they decided to create a third judging role just for me. I know this story to be true because that casting agent ended up being my manager — still is after 15 years.' Eleven seasons later, Preston, George Calombaris, and Gary Mehigan have transformed the way the world looks at food and are responsible for more people wanting to cook. MasterChef Australia made cooking an oomphy affair, beautiful, hard and gratifying all at once. But did the show transform Preston's idea of food, as he went on from being a 'third' judge to one of the best and most popular television jurors? I notice a glitter in Preston's eyes. 'It was to live in a wonderland where any food nerdery wasn't just encouraged but cherished. We'd be talking with each other, the MC team and the contestants 12 hours a day about food, helping crystallise ideas. I learnt a lot from all these follow travellers.' Preston's presence at the JLF had already caused a flurry; autograph and selfie hunters swarmed him. From a Rajasthani grandmom who came all the way to meet the OG master chef to aspiring Gen Zs who wanted a moment with Preston often declaring how the man in a pink neck scarf had changed their lives, the fans were varied. That Preston along with his mates Calombaris, and Mehigan influenced millions is perhaps one of the biggest feats in television history ever. 'We were just three chubby fellas who hardly fill the chisel-jawed model looks of most people who end up on TV. We were making a show in an old chicken shed out by the airport. We had no sense of any impact we might be creating. It is however lovely now to meet people who enjoyed the show and took inspiration from it — in fact, it's actually a little humbling, charming but humbling. We all love how the positivity of the show shone through we all abhor that ugly style of reality TV,' he said. One is curious to know Preston the author and those little-big elements of his life, like his grandfather's greenhouse. I ask about Big Mouth... wasn't it a bit early in life to write a memoir? Pat came the reply, 'I needed to tell my kids all about the personal family stuff that was also part of their story too. That seemed like the easiest way to do it. Preston also wanted to raise awareness about sudden death in epilepsy (SUDEP). 'This is what killed my brother when he was 22. It's still such a little-known problem, but risks can be dramatically reduced with the right advice. If I can help to raise understanding of this (especially with those who advise people with epilepsy, or PWE), help chase more research funding, and help PWE to adopt practices that can lessen risk a little that would be a worthy use of my time,' he added. But which Preston do the readers find in Big Mouth — the judge, the food critic, the columnist, or a man whose world is food? In a little mischief-filled voice came the words: 'The stuff you know about me, the stuff you think you know about me, and the other 80 per cent of the book is stuff you never knew about me. I'd never really addressed it before.' A conversation with Preston cannot conclude without a chat about favourite cuisines. 'Cuisines are like children — I love them all but at different times I like some more than the others. At home, I make pasta, pizzas, one-dish salads that work as a main course, and now that it is getting chilly, simple flavourful braises. I have a soft spot for Indian and Vietnamese. The clean, fresh and sparklingly bright nature of some Japanese food too, and Italian obviously, but really Australian cuisine ransacks all the best kitchens for inspiration, so pair that with my constant travel and I am well fed! Having said that if you can't find something to love everywhere, you just aren't looking hard enough.' That said, does he have a Middle East food connection? 'In Melbourne we have a deep love for food from across the Middle East and my pantry is full of locally sourced molasses, scented waters, and spices like sumac, cinnamon, and saffron. Iconic chef Greg Malouf (and all his skilled acolytes) came from here so we had loads of good local exponents too. Dubai is so much more than jami, madroob and Mandi chicken (still one of the best three ways to cook chicken). Taste of Dubai was immensely enjoyable as much for the inspirational young cooks I got to work with as for the excellent food that I ate across Dubai. Orfali Bros was world class, the fish at BordoMavi (and the service with a lovely familiar Aussie twang!) and the nyama choma at Hashimi BBQ were both most notable. Jun's was a lot of fun too. And I really loved the whole madness of Davib Munoz' Street XO which has just opened. Hanging out with Vineet Bhatia after 20 years was a special treat. Would like to come back and dig a little deeper into Middle Eastern dishes as I know how rewarding this can be after the time spent in Dubai filming MasterChef Australia and what I learnt from local chef and cooks.' Before we part, I asked Preston what's next for him. He said: 'I am dedicating more time towards my interest in attacking food insecurity, by minimising food waste. Shockingly for such a rich country, Australia has a growing problem with food insecurity but last year the charity that I have worked with for 12 years, Second Bite, rescued over 35m kg of fresh nutritious food going to a landfill and re-directed it to NGOs and charities that need it to feed people" 'Shockingly for such a rich country, Australia has a growing problem with food insecurity but last year the charity that I have worked with for 12 years, Second Bite, rescued over 35m kg of fresh nutritious food going to a landfill and re-directed it to NGOs and charities that need it to feed people. 'Then there's my weekly food column that after 15 years has been expanded to run across another 15 Aussie newspapers. I am also travelling to research food tours to key world destinations for fellow food lovers and then leading these tours; Gary and I are in India with a group in March. We (Gary, George, and I) are doing a rolling series of dinners with our friends at Conosh.' While it seems like a lot, perhaps for Matt Preston, from MasterChef Australia, the author, and the critic, it's all in a day's work.
Arab News
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Palestine takes center stage at Jaipur Literature Festival, world's largest literary show
JAIPUR: The 18th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival, India's largest literary event, began on Thursday with a special focus on the history and present-day situation in Gaza and Palestine. Known as the 'greatest literary show on earth,' the five-day event is held in Jaipur, the capital of the northwestern state of Rajasthan, bringing to one venue dozens of leading voices from literature, politics, science and the arts from India and abroad. More than 400,000 people attended the event last year and organizers expect even more to show up this time. Many of the festival's sessions will be devoted to Gaza, covering events there during the past 18 months of relentless Israeli attacks that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and destroyed much of the territory's civilian infrastructure. 'What's happening in Gaza is, in my opinion, the most appalling moral issue of our time and I'm very proud that we are giving this issue the prominence it deserves, and I think in a way that many Western literary festivals might be nervous to do. We are in a position in this country to speak frankly and openly about the horrors coming out of Gaza, and we intend to do so,' Scottish historian and writer William Dalrymple, one of the JLF's directors, told Arab News. Among the speakers will be Pankaj Mishra, the Indian novelist and essayist whose latest book, 'The World After Gaza,' is a reckoning with Israel's latest war on the enclave, its historical context and geopolitical ramifications. Pankaj will be joined by Palestinian writer and lawyer Selma Dabbagh to discuss how the war — which brought Israel to trial for genocide at the International Court of Justice and has led to International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant — challenges understandings of justice and decolonization. In another session, Nathan Thrall, an author and journalist known for his 2023 nonfiction work 'A Day in the Life of Abed Salama: Anatomy of a Jerusalem Tragedy,' who has covered Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, will speak about the human impact of Israel's apartheid rule over the Palestinian people. 'It's really an extraordinary lineup. We've got Gideon Levy from Haaretz — one of the most outspoken anti-Netanyahu journalists from the Israeli media — speaking in several sessions. I think he's the bravest Israeli journalist of the lot, and the most outspoken on the horrors,' Dalrymple said. Levy will speak about the unprecedented loss of civilian life in Gaza during the latest war and how it is likely to impact the future of the region. Avi Shlaim, emeritus professor of international relations at the University of Oxford, will be talking about his memoir, 'Three Worlds: Memoirs of an Arab Jew,' which 'exposes Mossad operations, which tried to get the Jewish community in Iraq to leave through false flag operations, bombing synagogues and so on,' Dalrymple said. 'Then we have Philippe Sands, a very important international lawyer, who was strongly involved in the International Court of Justice case.' For Dalrymple, who has spent many years reporting from and writing about the Middle East, raising the issue of Palestine as someone who knows the region also comes with a sense of responsibility. The subject and 'the historical background of the terrible injustices which are taking place' are 'often badly misrepresented,' he said. 'I have a duty to share what I know with those that are often misled and misguided about what's happening ... people are seeing a lot on their social media but often they don't have the education in the history and the politics to make sense of it all.' Most of the people who will come to the festival may not have a thorough understanding of what is happening, but they can easily gain it by taking part in the event. 'Sometimes there isn't as much knowledge and as much understanding of the issue, which is why people come to literary festivals. Not everyone in the modern world has time to read 300-page books on the history of Palestine but you can attend very easily a 50-minute session with experts summarizing it,' Dalrymple said. 'Literary festivals in the West are often scared of bringing this up and we've seen many examples of sessions on Palestine canceled in venues in the West. For example, when Pankaj Mishra was trying to speak on the same subject which he's speaking with us, his session was famously canceled at the Barbican last year. So, he'll be having with us the session that was censored in London ... we pride ourselves on the freedom with which our authors will be able to talk about all these things.'
