Priceless memories from the past

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India has another reason to be proud — the world’s first silver museum in Udaipur has been thrown open to the public, signifying the importance of preserving heritage. Amar Mahal wears a festive look, as Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar proudly tells us about the family heirlooms and how the youth in India can still associate to royalty.

The Chairman and Managing Trustee of Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation and 76th Custodian of the House of Mewar, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar got nostalgic about the priceless collection, dating back to 743 AD that adorns the opulent palace in Udaipur. “All items on display were used by my ancestors. Each one is a resonant piece of art, and a reminder of our glorious past.”
A walk through the museum will reveal an array of memorabilia — horse-drawn carriages, rosewater sprinklers or gulabpash and decanters or surahis. Some others are examples of finer aspects of craftsmanship, technique and flair of a generation, marked by multicultural influences — the Mewars shared relations with Mughals and other Rajput families as well. The pierced work or cladding where silver sheets cover contours of intricate wooden objects are a clear indication of the same. Amar Mahal, where the objects are displayed, is known to be the inspiration behind Taj Mahal.
One of the most elaborate displays is the silver mandap, where Shriji Arvind Singh gave away his daughter Padmaja in marriage. The entire seating area, replete with a silver havan kund, four sets of nine silver pots and other trinkets essential for a traditional Rajput wedding, have been put up.
“We are custodians of this priceless legacy, and I wanted people to see what our ancestors have given us. With these items, we are upholding core values that transcend generations,” he says.
He remarked on the personal value of some of the exquisite exhibit pieces including the 1939 custom-made buggy, which formed part of the current monarch’s late mother’s dowry, amongst other beautiful objects used in rituals such as Ram Rewaris (portable shrine for religious deity), magnificent traditional royal transport like the haudah used for mounting elephants in religious, state and military processions. Royal buggies and palanquins are also part of the exhibition.
With lines slowly blurring between people, backgrounds and ancestry, is heritage at risk of fading with time? “Absolutely not,” remarks the custodian, with great pride, “The youth may have evolved but core values remain,” he says adding, “We are working on retaining every possible piece of history by ensuring the collection is accessible under one roof. Such an effort requires a lot of hard work, dedication and grit to keep the past untouched.” This is a walk down memory lane you wouldn’t want to miss.