TND West

“Let’s take the Palace on Wheels!” Tammy just about shrieked in my ear as she read about the special luxury train from Delhi that goes through Jaipur. This from the gal who refused any of the luxury hotels Jaipur has available to opt for, well, we were not sure. Well it would not be to tomorrow anyway, and I thought, it is just a train, let us spend the money on good food and a golden Buddha to take back to our friend Lola back in Los Angeles. “You know, I think my old high school wrestling coach was from Jaipur. I wonder if he’s here?” That was years ago Tammy said, as we sipped relieving cold beer at a little bar. We were waiting for chapati and samosas and (bravely we thought) a fish curry, for a little respite from all the hub bub that is India.

“You never told me you wrestled,” said Tammy. “I was terrible,” I said. “But it kept me away from home during the long winters in Cleveland. Maybe I should ask the bar tender if he ever heard of Mr. Pravati.” the bar tender looked like a wrestler, low to the ground, thick shouldered. what are the chances. “Hey, Bub, I used to know this guy who was from Jaipur, taught wrestling in the USA. A Mr. Pravati. Ever heard of him?” The bar tender looked at me for a moment, swabbing the inside of a bar glass with a white towel. “There are many Pravatis here, it would be hard to know. But I did know one gentleman who wrestled, but he went to Korea to coach, and no one has ever heard of him.” Just them the food came out all at once, the kitchen doors exploding open, and the silver plates were quickly placed before us. I looked up to see an older man, trim and thick necked, handing us silver ware. As soon as I saw him, I knew it was Mr. Pravati.

Our five-star Jaipur hotels will put you in the lap of luxury in one of India’s most unique cities. Jaipur is a beautiful urban center, whose unusual city plan is based on a mandala. This gives the streets a very uniform look, with clean lines, and appealing designs. It also is structured so that the citizens walking the city will walk along its mandala lines and find an newly-attuned sensation that they are walking according to their own divine purpose. It’s a heady intention, and certainly adds an aura of graciousness and calm to the place. One will sense it on the streets, and in our hotels there is enormous grace and hospitality. These things are our specialty, and we offer these along with all the usual fantastic features that give our accommodations the five-star designation. You will be sure that we have met the highest standards of the industry, and there are a surplus of extra amenities to keep you happy while you’re here, and make you want to come back.

Jaipur has a lot to offer the savvy world traveler, with tours and sights that will keep the whole family occupied. There is a vibrant night life, and a lively local culture that adds a very lovely rhythm to the place. There is also a local art scene that has been gaining in reputation during recent years, enough to suggest that it is not a short-term trend, but one that will continue to grow. Galleries show classical and contemporary art by artists all over India, with an emphasis on Jaipur culture. Last July, the very famous Dhrupad singer, Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar graced Jaipur with a recital. He performed at Samanvai Art, a local gallery that has done exceptional things for visual culture in Jaipur.

Samanvai Art showcases works in all media by contemporary artists in India, showing work by both established and emerging artists who contribute to the national and international art scene. They also act as host for other gallery shows, performances, and lectures on art and art history. For the Dhrupad event, they were fortunate to be able to host Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar, who is the living inheritance of Dhrupad music, following in a line that has been unbroken for 20 generations. The idea of this musical form coming together with visual art in Jaipur is a remarkable cultural event, and portends great things for the future of art.