Latest news with #UmaidSingh
The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Rajasthan's forgotten geometry
The Art Deco movement brought with it a sense of glamour and opulence. It upheld geometric design and modern materials, and was inspired by the relics of Native American and Egyptian civilisations. It soon made its way from France to the shores of the United States. While New York went by the book, building incredible skyscrapers inspired by the original decorative phase, cities like Miami adapted the style as it saw fit, in keeping with the place. The intercontinental appeal of the movement fascinates me. As does its evolution. For instance, major events such as the Great Depression and World War II gave rise to an offshoot called Streamline Moderne — where designs were more subtle, and inspired by nautical and aerodynamic forms. With smooth flowing lines and creative typography, it acknowledged the era's progress in technology in its design. As it travelled to other parts of the world, Art Deco became an early symbol of ideals such as modernity and progress. India was no exception. Maharajas and merchants alike patronised the style. In fact, one of the first Art Deco buildings in the country was made in the sandy tracts of Rajasthan. So, why is its influence seldom discussed in the state? Could it be that amongst the multitude of forts and palaces, it was considered less relevant due to its relatively recent origin? Birth of Desert Deco Maharaja Umaid Singh was a royal patron of Art Deco. During a time of drought, the visionary ruler of Jodhpur-Marwar commissioned Chittar Mahal, a relief project to provide employment to his people. After his death, the monument was re-named Umaid Bhawan in his honour. While the inspiration behind the palace was the glamorous European movement, it blended architectural elements and motifs of Rajasthani palaces. Thus, Desert Deco was born. Many royals followed suit, patterning their ideas after the maharaja to build new palaces or remodel existing structures with added Deco elements. It was only after World War II and Independence that the movement spread beyond royal patronage in Rajasthan. While some people went for more affordable ways, superimposing Deco elements such as sunbursts onto existing facades, more affluent families built new structures. Merchants and businessmen, influenced by their exposure to Art Deco in the port towns and cities of Calcutta, Bombay and Surat, commissioned mansions in their hometowns. Thus, the second phase of Desert Deco was born, which merged local architectural design with Deco elements and motifs. Havelis and bhawans — such as Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh II's Rajmahal, an Art Deco remodel of the British Residency (formerly the garden retreat, Maji Ka Bagh, built in 1729) — were adorned with chevron patterns and sunbursts, which in turn interplayed with cultural and religious themes of the region. For instance, lattice screens or jaalis were carved, instead of perforated, with iconic Deco elements such as the frozen fountain motif with the sacred 'aum' or 'swastika' inscribed on it. Deco structures sprang up across the desert state, from cities such as Jodhpur, Jaipur and Bikaner, to smaller towns like Mandawa, Churu and Ladnun, and even in villages. The movement was not restricted to residential spaces, but included temples, public buildings, cinema halls, and at least one water station in Jaipur — with sharp geometric lines, zigzags, and stylised vents. I remember a friend telling me how many localities like Sardarpura, with their broad avenues and Deco houses built with local sandstone, along with the colours of Rajasthan, reminded him of a set in a Wes Anderson film. Overshadowed by palaces Today, despite advocacy and some success stories by a few organisations, Art Deco in Rajasthan continues to be overlooked. It is overshadowed by the bulk of beautiful forts, grand palaces and ancient temples that dot the landscape. Without formal recognition, the fate of these structures is bleak. Many lie in the path of developers, both private and public. Some lie forgotten, crumbling out of existence. But hope has no expiry date. It is why I started Jaipur Houses, a platform that works towards documenting and creating a digital archive of these fast vanishing structures. We will continue to advocate for its protection and preservation with the aim that one day these fabulous designs and structures will get recognised as a part of the state's architectural and artistic heritage. The writer is the founder of Jaipur Houses.
India.com
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Built after saint's curse, this palace construction took 15 years, now has 347 rooms, has a connection with Priyanka Chopra, Its name is…, location is…
Rajasthan is renowned across the globe for its royal atmosphere, beautiful palaces, grand forts, and havelis. However, one of the most expensive and stunning palaces in the state is the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur. Maharaja Umaid Singh Ji commissioned the construction of Umaid Bhawan Palace. As per the ABP news report, the foundation of the palace was laid on November 18, 1929, and it was completed on May 25, 1944. At the time, the total cost of building the palace was Rs 1,09,11,228. The Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is tied to a fascinating story involving a curse from a saint. According to the legend, the saint, in a fit of anger, cursed the Rathore dynasty of Jodhpur with a drought and plague. Following this curse, Jodhpur faced three consecutive years of severe drought during the 1920s. Due to the famine, the local people of the region appealed to the then Maharaja, Umaid Singh, for employment. In response to this, Maharaja Umaid Singh decided to build a grand palace, which would later provide employment to the local community and become the iconic Umaid Bhawan Palace. To plan the palace's construction, Maharaja Umaid Singh called upon the renowned architect Henry Vaughan Lancaster and entrusted him with the task. The construction of the palace began in 1929, but it progressed slowly, as the project provided local people with employment during the tough times. The palace was built gradually, allowing people to earn a living during the drought. By 1943, the famine had ended, and the palace was finally completed in 1944, after nearly 15 years of construction. This iconic palace stands as a testament to both the royal vision of Maharaja Umaid Singh and the resilience of the local community. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas celebrated their wedding at the majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. After its completion, the palace had around 347 large rooms, several vast courtyards, and a grand dining hall (known as the Daawatkhana) that could accommodate over 300 guests at once. The interior dome of the palace is light in color and has a diameter of approximately 31 meters. It is covered by an outer dome that rises to a height of about 13 meters. This world-famous palace was built between 1929 and 1944 by the renowned ruler of Jodhpur, Maharaja Umaid Singh. The construction took nearly 15 years to complete. It was carried out at a slow pace to ensure that local people could gain steady employment during times of drought.
