Jal Mahal: Revival of a Pleasure Palace

Navrattan Kothari, Rajeev Lunkad and Pramod Kumar KG

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As historic monuments go, the 18th-century Jal Mahal at Jaipur is celebrated as much for its jewel-like form as it is for the mystery of its origins. This book is the story of a remarkable conservation effort spearheaded by visionary patronage and a team of dedicated professionals who made it their mission over five years [2006 to 2010] to help revive the monument and restore the ecosystem of the surrounding Man Sagar Lake. This is the story of a pleasure pavilion, a space for respite created in an era where enclosed pleasure garden formations moved from Mughal patronage to Rajput inception.

The story of the Jal Mahal’s resurrection is of an ecological approach to conservation, of historic study, careful planning, and finally of cultural re-integration of a depleted past. The book chronicles a new approach to restoration and revitalization allowing the monument to go beyond its past glory and contribute to the city’s economy. Today, as visitors step back in time, a certain reverie helps capture the intimacy of a bygone moment in perfect harmony with nature. A far pavilion has been rejuvenated and Jaipur today proudly reclaims a magical bit of its history.

Navrattan Kothari has led the KGK Group since the 1960s as its Chairman, transforming it into an international behemoth spanning 15 countries. His philanthropic footprint is evidenced by the creation of a dedicated cancer hospital, and multiple educational institutions, while his commitment to cultural preservation resulted in Jal Mahal’s restoration. His visionary zeal and ethical commitment continue to inspire, making him a global figure in the gem and jewellery industry.

Rajeev Lunkad Founder and Creative Director at Direct Create, is an architect celebrated for his cultural projects in India. With a distinctive approach to design and innovation, he was the Conceptualizer and Project Director for rejuvenating the Jal Mahal monument and Man Sagar Lake. He also played a pivotal role in designing the Cultural Elements for India’s new Parliament building, establishing the continuity of traditional knowledge systems in the emerging digital age.

Pramod Kumar KG is the Managing Director of the Delhi-based Eka Archiving Services Pvt. Ltd., India's first museum consulting company. He is the consultant curator for the City Palace Museum, Udaipur and was until recently Associate Director of the Alkazi Foundation, which holds the Alkazi Collection of Photography. He established the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing in 2005, and was its Founder/Director. During his tenure as the Director of the Jaipur Virasat Foundation, Pramod KG organised the Jaipur Heritage International Festival and founded the Jaipur Literature Festival in 2005.

Publisher
Roli Books
ISBN
9789392130830
Binding
Hardback
Page Extent
224
Height (in)
9.7
Width (in)
8.5
Subject
Architecture & Landscape Design , Architecture Monographs

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Harsh Vardhan
Jal Mahal - Revival Of A Pleasure palace

Nearly 225 page, hard bound fully illustrated with cracking photographs and numerous records of past grandeur, the book has hit the stands as 'first' treatise, lacing two most remarkable aspects of India's present day life: renovation of a nearly 300 year old monument (Jal Mahal) and restoration of nearly 400 year old lake (Man Sagar) at Jaipur within a short span of less than a decade through a public-private-partnership-project between Kothari Group and Government of Rajasthan. The 1.5 sq., km., area is dressing up as a vibrant hub of crafts, culture, music, dance and life's innate repertoire, citizens and tourists could seldom imagine so far. Inviting global consultants to rub shoulders with traditional artisans and craftsmen, the landscape has been transformed to become a hall-mark Island Palace, accessed via boats, and a lake reassuming its lost ecosystem. Birding at day with a vagrant leopard at dusk, the scenario offers breezy experiences amidst stillness of inner monument and chirps of avian species outside. A must read for aficionados and those aspiring to re-inhale what is not available these days. Navrattan Kothart is first author and Rajeev Lunkar second. RL, the architect, bore the brunt of entire spade-work to earn niche, he is at Direct Create. Navrattan is a celebrated diamond-exporter. What a combination for heritage-uplift to make India, nay world, proud of!

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