Probably the fort I most love in Rajasthan ever since attending the enthralling Sacred Music Festival within its hallowed battlements a few years ago. Sleeping in the zenana, that once housed the queens of the court is truly to step into the ‘old’ Rajasthan that first engulfed me with its magic over 30 years ago and so happy to know it still exists.
‘Ahhichatragarh’: one of Rajasthan’s most majestic and beautifully restored forts, that since medieval times was renowned for education and Sufi saints. Inside the desert-locked fort where we stayed, the palaces and their water-gardens still confound their desert location. Their palaces contain Rajasthan’s most extensive and important collection of newly re-discovered murals. Mostly built by the 18th century Jodhpur rulers, after 1947 it was forgotten. Today, 20 years of painstaking stabilization led by a team from Ahmedabad (in adjoining Gujarat state) and part-funded by the Getty, the Hamlin Foundation and The Maharaj of Jodhpur’s Foundation has brought painted rooms, gardens and the water features back to life. The Courtauld Institute and the Leon Levy Foundation continue the work of sensitive conservation. Along the walk inside the great walls, tiny temples are still visited daily by locals.
In formerly barren spaces desert trees, shrubs and flowers now blossom.
It is North India’s largest and most important conservation project.
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. #travelwithmarieke
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. #incredibleindia
. #loverajasthan
Massive India Art Fair today. A little personal taste of a glimpse.
Most drawn to Indian artists, the play on Indian miniature painting, photography, especially the master, Raghu Rai, collage, stitching, fabric….as always, much ‘contemporary’ felt shallow, borrowed, nonsensical. Delhi high society noticeably in attendance in designer clothes and chauffeured cars along with school groups and aspiring young artists. This year the dates lined up #mariekesartofliving #travelwithmarieke
20th century treasures @begoulandrisfoundation Basil and Elise Goulandris—a shipowner couple who spent their time jet-setting between Switzerland, New York and the Mediterranean. Basil Goulandris was a member of a famous dynasty of shipowners from the Greek island of Andros, which includes many patrons of the arts. #mariekesartofliving #traelwithmarieke
Stunning retrospective and celebration of artist couple Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) and Martine Franck (1938-2012) @begoulandrisfoundation #mariekesartofliving 💙Greece
Portugal Discovered Tour. Days 6 & 7. The ancient fortified whitewashed villages of Alentejo where time has stood still but history stretches back forever. Magical landscape….SLOW pace and traditions dictated by the seasons. #mariekesartofliving #travelwithmarieke #loveportugal
Morning bird call at Barrocal. Portugal Discovered Tour. Magical Alentejo.
