The 15th anniversary celebrations of Royal Fables took us deep into the heart of Malwa (now Madhya Pradesh), once home to princely states like Ratlam, Sailana, Jhabua, and Alirajpur.
The royal itinerary began with lunch at the Jhabua Farms in Indore, hosted by Maharaj Ganesh Singh and Maharaj Kumari Arunima Singh of Jhabua, along with their daughters Princess Nandini Singh Jhabua and Kanwarani Vijaya Singh of Nahan (Sirmaur), and their cousin Kumar Shri Shivraj Singh of Limdi, a self-taught royal culinary custodian.
Lunch with the Royals
A subtle fragrance lingered in the air at the Jhabua farm. The home had a vintage charm and every corner seemed to whisper stories from the past. Adorned in saris by Rohini Singh Gupta, founder of Just Chiffons, and Rani Jaykirti Singh of Baria, the creative force behind a block-printing label, reimagined vintage for today’s women and the heirloom jewels from Namrata Singh Jewels oozed tales through statement designs among the royalties.
As bowls of fragrant biryani and a fiery garlic chutney, highly recommended by all the Maharanis, were passed around, the instant hospitality is what made me feel at home–it’s the experience that matters, after all..
Seated alongside the likes of Namrata Singh, a vintage-modern jewellery designer; Princess Vidita Singh of Barwani, a celebrated automotive artist; Amrita Singh Rana, a fine jewellery designer; Rajkumari Chandni Kumari of Seohara, co-founder of artisanal studio Rosetree and content creator; and special guests, Kanwarani Varsha Kumari of Kharatma and Kanwarani Madhushri Kumari of Limdi, this was a lunch to be remembered.
I was surrounded by royalty in India, yet it was heart-warmingly relatable. Post lunch, Princess Nandini Singh Jhabua took us through her Gond art studio, her initiative to preserve one of India’s most recognisable tribal art forms.
The afternoon nap was unanimously skipped in favour of more conversations, and I found a spot on the couch next to Rajkumari Mahima Singh, eldest daughter of the Amethi royal family and well-known for her work with rural communities for two decades. She shared, “A lot of the royal families are working quietly behind the scenes — and not just for themselves, but for the communities they represent,” adding, “All the royals I know are doing their best to give back. If that work gets highlighted in any way, it gives them more power to continue doing what they do.”
A Regal Toast to the Future
The day continued with high tea hosted by Rani Madhavi Mandloi Zamindar at Bada Rawala Palace, the ancestral estate of Indore’s zamindars, pre-dating even the Holkars. The Rang Mahal, with its antique chandeliers and revived detailing, welcomed us.
Seated at the table were Rajkumari Sanghamitra Singh of Piploda, Rajkumari Namesha from Jhabua, Rajkumari Lakshita Kumari of Nagod, Hershini Kumari, redefining what it means to be royalty in today’s India in their own ways.
Local delicacies such as kachoris, Indori poha, and endless cups of adrak chai were savoured over anecdotes. The discussion soon turned to how the perfect chai should have just the right amount of masala to hit the spot. The Kaunteya tea sets, once again, stood out, this time for their gold-embellished Indian illustrations.
As the young royals posed for the cameras, I sat down with Princess Nandini Singh Jhabua, as she proudly spoke about how the young royals are coming together for this one-of-a-kind convene. “I think it’s a nice avenue to share what they are doing, where they come from, the heritage they belong to, and what they’re contributing to society.”
As the sun set over Indore, we sank into the sofas, reminiscing about how the day had flown by. The mastermind behind it all, Anshu Khanna, founder of Royal Fables, summed it up, “We are constantly seeking ways to make tradition relevant. This 15th edition with its focus on Young Royals, was a celebration of continuity. From textiles to taste, legacy is best preserved when lived, loved and passed forward.”
We left with stories, with glimpses of traditions kept alive not in palaces but in purpose.
