Textile Gallery, City Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan
In the textile gallery (City Palace, Jaipur) you can watch many dresses which were worn by the kings and queens of Rajasthan in the past. Above is one such specimen. I wonder why I did not take any pictures of a kimono that belonged to a king and another dress that belonged to King Madho Singh I. I mean it was huge, really huge. Or even the black dress that was worn by a queen on Diwali.
In India color black is not considered auspices and there is a story behind the black or deep blue dresses worn by the Jaipur royals for Diwali. Apparently one person from the royal family (don’t ask me who, you can guess by now, I am no history buff) became the ruler after killing his uncle on the Diwali day. So to express sorrow even to this day the royals wear a black or blue dress on Diwali. Strange are the royal ways of the world …
In many parts of the museum photography is prohibited (could be because of that I didn’t click the dresses I mention above). And one young guy who clicked photographs anyway because there were no guards in site, was in for a surprise. He did not realize that there were CCTV cameras everywhere.
I think rarity should be preserved by restricting photography. A place loses its novelty if its allowed to be copied and mass distributed. Swami Narayan temple in Delhi is an example.
The thread work on this piece is so delicate! I wouldn’t be able to wear something like that – I’d just put it on the wall and admire it!
Beautiful, and thank you for the article. I wasn’t aware of the symbolism of black colour and blue dress. I bought a orange silk sari when I was in India – It’s hanging as a curtain in my entrance and the colour is still brilliant after almost 20 years. I even painted one of my walls orange just to mach that sari. I know, I know…
Ravi I have no issues when photography is restricted. I always respect that.Bindu, I agree, I too would not be able to wear it for the fear of spoiling it.Fida that is so nice of you to paint the wall to match the saree. Have you ever been back to India or was it that you were hear that long ago?
I think you are correct about the photography being restricted where the dresses are. I was there in July and really wanted to snap some pics (to share with friends half a world away who really appreciate that sort of thing and will most likely never be able to get to India!) and was somewhat disappointed that pics were not allowed. I also respect that though. I never take pics when they are not allowed. Bottom line- the intricate detail of that work is stunning and should be appreciated by all!!!!
Cindy when people tell me that flash photography damages exhibits as you have also said, one has to be patient. Yes that is a lovely piece of embroidery!