OT: What are the five definitive experiences you would recommend to a first-time traveller to Rajasthan?
Raghavendra Rathore:
b) Stay at the Aman-i-Khás in Ranthambhore and see the tiger.
c) Stay at The Serai, Suján’s luxury tented camp in Jaisalmer.
d) Sponsor a well in a desert village.
e) Hire the parapet of the Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur for a quiet dinner.
OT: Tell us a bit about Ajit Bhawan, your home in Jodhpur, and one of India’s first heritage hotels. What comes first at Ajit Bhawan—design or service?
Raghavendra Rathore: Ajit Bhawan is among the oldest heritage properties in India to open its doors to travellers from all over the world. The essence of this hotel is its ambience, regal with a whimsical resort feel. Its palatial gardens and open spaces make it a unique property in the crowded town of Jodhpur.
The hotel is run in a partnership involving two hemispheres—operations and design. I strongly believe that it is best to leave the day-to-day operations to one person and the aesthetic environment, design and subsequent upgrades to the other. Our working methodology is an ideal balance of creation and management, informed by a common vision, where personal touch, impeccable service, staff hygiene and good aesthetics are key ingredients in making Ajit Bhawan a popular choice for travellers from across the globe.
OT: You’ve studied everything from robotics to philosophy. What drew you to fashion design?
Raghavendra Rathore: Design to me is the efficiency with which we live our lives; the better the design, the fuller the extent of one’s life. Understanding the ways of the world through a diverse liberal arts education defined my undergraduate years. I believe global knowledge from all walks of life needs to be part of the foundation for a designer to be able to understand how to create solutions in the changing landscape of the world. Reading into the future is a must and it comes from understanding the depth of possibilities, possibilities that exist all around us, in products, in nature and in the future. Designing products for the future with a balance of aesthetics, sensible use of resources, a pragmatic approach and a sense of timelessness, prolonging the life of the product, is key.
OT: Five insider experiences in Jodhpur that only the locals know about?
Raghavendra Rathore:
a) The old city walk through the kattra market.
b) The zip-line adventure at the Mehrangarh Fort.
c) Nai Sarak food stall experience.
d) The vast library at the Mehrangarh Fort.
e) The Browns, a unique aired golf experience at Sardar Club.
OT: Do you cook? Which Rajasthani dish do you like to prepare?
Raghavendra Rathore: Sadly, it’s not a Rajasthani dish—I do a spicy Penne Arrabiata with an Indian touch.
OT: You went to college in the US. What was that experience like? Did you travel?
Raghavendra Rathore: I studied and worked in the US for about a decade, an experience that has shaped me as an individual, exposing me, in contrast to my conservative upbringing in Jodhpur, to a world that I could have not experienced or imagined otherwise. My journey had very humble beginnings and I had no idea what I wanted to be; but through some good advice and a great education system, I was channelled into the world of design. The liberal methodology of education in America is ideal for creative minds. I was lucky to experience it, with no resistance from my family, but it was no doubt a challenge as I ended up mostly supporting myself through this journey. Travel to me is more than a philanthropic excursion, it is essential to acquiring knowledge and a better understanding of the human race.
OT: When you don’t travel around Rajasthan, where do you go?
Raghavendra Rathore: My affinity towards New York is strong because it is a melting pot of cultures. It celebrates life and offers a peek into what is to come, with respect to trends.
OT: Five luxe Rajasthani experiences that you’d like to recommend?
Raghavendra Rathore:
a) The Raas Haveli in Jodhpur.
b) Aman-i-Khás in Ranthambhore.
c) Rawla Narlai near Ranakpur.
d) The Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur.
e) The Serai in Jaisalmer.
OT: Can we safely assume that you travel with a large wardrobe? What are your dressing essentials?
Raghavendra Rathore: Quite the contrary; cargo pants and shirts with lots of pockets help me keep all my accessories in place. Khaki and olive colours add value to a compact travel wardrobe.
OT: Tell us something about Raghavendra Rathore we don’t know.
Raghavendra Rathore: A private man, who paints, and believes that one man can change the world!