In cultures of Dialogue, JLF 2016: : Risqué and Exploration : : Part 2/2
After a hectic day at The JLF on Friday, we soon went on to discover the day two, started with a session on how to travel from few of the biggest names in the publishing industry, soon the sweltering heat took us to into the inside courtyard of the palace to discover few of the most beautiful and unique living art spaces, waiting to be captured.
Amidst closed doors and a lot of free-flowing opportunities, began in full swing the hustle of the second day. What started as an experimental dressing statement, of including the intrinsic qualities of the pieces overlooking the brand obsession, for us the brands generally is limited to the aesthetic appeal and the quality, more than a prestige point.
Little known that people who make these products, will soon send waves for making statements with the art and product design which comes almost organic to them.
Putting an ensemble together from Ekmatra, Brandless and Banjaaran . These of my our personal favorite brands together to bring a truly Indian story together.
The Man clutch from Be Brandless — is one of the most powerful and bold pieces that is seen in the Indian contemporary fashion. Having assembled it with the goth cut black kurta and shararas from Ekmatra, the idea was to bring about the modern India.
The essential leather in more than one ways is as natural is cotton or wool or can be styled and used in ways more than one. This single piece leather bag is chic and minimalist is ways more than one. Versatile and androgynous in nature, this paves for future of accessory fashion in India.
`Carrying Banjaaran, gave a little more confidence than usual. In major retrospect, it makes you feel proud and glamorous in the space where you belong. A crisp amalgam of ikat and leather bringing about a sense of mystery in the way it is crafted and often using pieces of metal or plated silver to embellish them.
After a highly hectic intellectual (just so as to speak) at least wandered off to find the part of the Jaipur which is removed from the commercial touts and belongs to people who explain the true essence of the city.
Our first stop was in the insides of the gated city, The Mahar Haveli. The palace of the mahawats — the elephant riders. Turned into the a backpackers hostel and an A class lunch place for people for authentic Rajasthani food.
Priyavarath, our host and subsequent friend was eager and more than happy to show us around his prized haveli which he has restored after his stint in tea estates of the country. Now servicing and taking to each of his guest upclose and personal with a lot of warmth.
Serving us one the most traditional meals, from a variety of vegetarian treats and non vegetarian delights. It was the Kabulfateh Daal — which could match the magnanimity of our imaginations of a real royal treat. Flavored and cooked with saffron, the savory subtle daal was one of most unique items that this place has it on its menu.
If you are travelling to Jaipur and very tired of the regular Laal Maas and other trip advisory places. you need to come to Mahar palace for the daal and the unique hospitality. We are longing for more to happen in years to come.
After a humbling experience at the haveli, we took a small stroll in the nearby old city market, before we could head to a quick supper at Bar Polladio. Delight in fantasy! Bar Palladio Jaipur is that very place: a candle-lit wonderland, a floating world. As the sun dips below the horizon a series of small tented pavilions appear and doors open onto the scenes of a dream. Every night this dream deepens, coloured by the aroma of food and the spirit of conversation.
Will Mullford, the publicist/face of Bar Palladio is one of the most interesting people we met so far in our travel; was more than gracious to take us in for a fun filled chatty evening. Matching the magnanimous charm the palace is designed by Dutch designer Marie-Anne Oudejans, restored garden belvedere in the historic Narain Niwas Palace Hotel. With wandering peacocks, mature mango trees, and garden of tented canopies Bar Palladio Jaipur is an orientalist fantasy, a new vision for European dining in India.
Truly Italian at heart, the food at Bar Palladio works on the logics of excellence in simplcity. The tried and tested menu serves few of the staples done in the most authentic manner is a safe bet for travellers not very adventures. However, what really makes the experience worth the mention is the mood and the central bar at the patio.
The spirit is talkative and ready to flirt with the concoctions second to none makes this visit worth the time.
With style matching what one comes to find in Jaipur is ornate and extravagant, however with a heart like that made of burning ambers. For us this journey was nothing but the expressions of baroque however warm at heart. It is this feeling that will keep brining us back.
Time and again.
