My Heart Beats in Rajasthan

If you love filigree detail, scalloped arches, spices and spicy people, flowing fabrics of brilliant colors and glittering jewelry in the sun… you will agree with me that no place on this earth quite compares with Rajasthan for living a life of constant celebration!

The music and the musicians will make you fall in love, the dance and the dancers will charm you into joining in, the colors of the local dresses will sooth your soul from a longing you never quite knew you had - for the Vibrant!  Living in full color is a soothing salve for the soul if you have gotten a little cold in the drudgery of modern living.

Nakarali is a Marwari word (the language of Western Rajasthan) that refers to a woman (or a camel) who is profusely adorned and swinging with jewels and trimmings.  It is thought that even the most un attractive of women, if properly adorned with jewelry can pass for a heartbreaker.  The love of jewelry is spoken out loud when even ones grandfather or neighbor will shower you compliments if you walk out of your home thoroughly adorned.

The love of adornment connects inevitably back to the coveted state of the blushing bride - a sign of abundance, fertility and hope for the whole family and community.  Jewelry celebrates the feminine opulence of creation.  

Have a look at one of my favorite collaborative photo shoots by Nakarali’s favorite photographer: Devansh Jhaveri.  Here we teamed up with Dhruv Singh, the clothing designer of my dreams who specializes in classic Indian formal wear with earthy tones and raw silks and just the right amount of Zardozi embroidery.  We stormed the Jaipur city palace with our garments and jewelry to spend an afternoon in the sun.