When Meenal Jhala Singhdeo got married into the royal family of Dhenkanal 34 years ago, she moved from Delhi to Odisha, where she saw how rich the state was in handicrafts. Along with restoring her home, she got to learning more about the crafts. Today, she not only runs Dhenkanal palace as a heritage homestay but has also brought together artisans within 45 kilometres of the palace to sustain handpainted pattachitra, artefacts, ikat designs on cotton and silk sarees and western wear, dhokra art, brass jewellery, brass metal casting and more. She also established the Maharaja Bhagirath Mahindra Bahadur Foundation for the welfare for artisans.
“I wanted to make ikat more accessible, not only through saris but also through western clothes so that it appeals to younger customers as well,” she says that 80 per cent of the designs are hers and then she leaves it upon the mastery of the artisans.
Meenal Jhala Singhdeo was one among the many royals-turned-entrepreneurs who showcased their collections at the Andaz Delhi X Royal Fables Wedding Edit. Ritu Singh from the royal family of Kashmir and founder of The Runway Diaries brought several designers from the region to showcase their rich cultural heritage. Rajkumari of Pratapgarh, Awadh, Alka Rani Singh showcased her collection of luxury sarees, Mriganka Kumari from the royal family of Baria presented their heritage clothing line and more.
Architect Ritu Kaul of Walnut Interiors, who hails from Kashmir, says about her collection that it often finds inspiration from the region. “Luxury is about comfort. I design spaces with that in mind and a little bit of inspiration from Kashmir here and there.”
The Wedding Edit showcased creations from 50 royals and legendary studios at Andaz Delhi. It included heirloom textiles, vintage jewels, traditional art, and stunning handcrafted home and fashion products from across India. Founders of Royal Fables (a platform promoting the culture, cuisine, and craft of Princely India) Anshu Khanna and culture aficionado Charu Singh curated the collection.
“Everyone loves a royal wedding, but few know the delicate nuances involved in their traditions and rituals. In this wedding edit, we didn’t just create a nostalgic platform to shop, we also presented memorabilia exhibits around famed weddings of the past,” says Anshu Khanna.
“Our expansive and curated spaces, adorned with unique artefacts, provided an exceptional setting that celebrated the rich tapestry of culture, art, and heritage. This association allowed us to create a truly immersive experience for our guests and Royals, blending our signature hospitality with the timeless elegance that Royal Fables epitomises," says Hardip Marwah, general manager at Andaz Delhi.
Four experiential spaces curated in the studios of Andaz Delhi were brought to life. These included a section for large palace karkhanas, a vintage jewellery room by Atul Jewelers, a textile studio showcasing pure gold and silver weaves by Hyderabad-based textile aficionado Shravan Kummar, and a décor studio curated by architect Ritu Kaul.
For the inaugural night, Royal Fables' culinary revivalist platform, Kitchen of the Kings, joined forces with Andaz Delhi's chefs to present the Oriya cuisine of Odisha’s Dhenkanal Palace. Curated by Yuvraaj Amarjyoti and Yuvrani Meenal Singh Deo, the cuisine blended indigenous tribal recipes with royal traditions passed down through generations.
The grand exposition at Andaz Delhi was presented in association with Royal Fables on July 18 and 19.
