In early 2016, a rare cultural event offered a fleeting, unfiltered look inside one of Jaipur’s most mysterious historic buildings. Long closed to the general public, the Maharaja School of Arts and Crafts temporarily opened its doors to host Travel Photo Jaipur, an open-air three day photography festival in Jaipur. At the time, the historic building was unkempt, showing years of neglect and urban decay. Shortly after, this historic haveli, many called Jaipur school of arts underwent massive restoration to become the Museum of Legacies. This is a visual journey back to that brief moment in 2016-a look at history displayed within history, just before it changed forever.
Travel Photo Jaipur is an open-air exhibition that is planned to take place every year in Jan-Feb over a period of two weeks. It features pictures in large frames at various historical monuments in Jaipur. To read more about it head to Travel Photo Jaipur/ Photography Festival Part I. A display of old travel postcards in large poster sizes was organized at Maharaja School of Arts and crafts, Kishanpole bazaar, Jaipur on 5th-6th Feb 2016. It was curated by Akshay Mahajan, an artist from Mumbai. The building was later converted into the Museum Of Legacies. You read my in-depth post on the same here- Museum Of Legacies | Adaptive use of Havelis
To read part 1 of Travel Photo Jaipur click here
The History of Madarsa-e-Hunar & Pandit Shivdeen Ki Haveli
Before it became a school for local craftsmen, this stunning 150-year-old Haveli structure located in Kishanpole Bazaar was known as Pandit Shivdeen Ki Haveli, the private residence of an influential and wealthy minister in the Jaipur royal court. Recognizing the need to preserve and promote local Rajasthani craftsmanship, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II converted it into the Madarsa-e-Hunar or School of Arts. Over years, the building nurtured the city’s artisans, specializing in traditional arts and craft, before ultimately falling into disuse and locking its gates to the world
History Within History – The Vintage Postcard Exhibition at Travel Photo Jaipur
The 2016 exhibition was curated by Mumbai-based artist Akshay Mahajan, who chose the building’s central, open-air courtyard specifically for its raw, atmospheric character. Akshay Mahajan has been collecting old travel postcards, many of them dating back to the pre-independence era.He was quite fixed on this venue from the day, the idea of this festival was proposed to him. Maharajah school of arts & craft Haveli, the venue for this exhibition has been closed to the public for the last few years.
The Vintage Travel Postcards at Maharaja School of Arts & Craft
Akshay Mahajan’s exhibition featured vastly enlarged prints of rare, pre-independence travel postcards. Prominently on display was a fascinating French series of Indian travel postcards dating back to the early 1900s.
The contrast was striking: century-old images of colonial-era travel hung against the peeling plaster, weathered arches, and quiet dust of an unrestored 19th-century haveli. Visitors were even invited to flip through Mahajan’s personal, rare collection of original postcards, and purchase stamped-out replicas as unique keepsakes.
Maharaja School of Art & Craft also known now as the Museum Of Legacies was unkempt as it has been closed for a long time. It was opened up to host Akshay’s exhibition. Years of negligence & lack of maintenance were evident.
Akshay Mahajan was sporting a loose Kurta & Pajama paired with a woolen sleeveless Nehru jacket. It’s a dress synonymous with Indian artists and journalists.
Akshay was kind enough to offer visitors his original & rare collection of travel postcards.
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Akshay Mahajan, posing with few local boys. Travel Photo Jaipur festival 2016
Travel Photo Jaipur is a new contemporary festival that Rajasthan Government wants to promote, in line with their new tourism campaign kick-started recently. It is interesting to meet & interact with people like Akshay Mahajan and gain a new perspective. At the time, this was the first time I was able to venture inside the historic building of the Rajasthan School of Arts & Crafts. It was previously called Madarsa E Hunar or Pandit Shivdeen Ki Haveli.
Pictures of Maharaja School of Art & Craft or Madarsa-E-Hunari
During my visit I was fortunate to visit inside the building which was known as Madarsa-e-Hunari before it was renamed Maharaja School of Art & Craft during the period of Sawai Ram Singh II’s rule. The condition of the buildings and its room was in a bad shape. Although I have many more pictures, I am posting only two pictures after this historic school closed down and the institution was relocated near Smriti Van and Jawahar Kala Kendra.
Then and Now: The Transition of Maharaja School of Art & Craft to the Museum of Legacies
Walking through the corridors in 2016, the years of negligence and lack of maintenance were glaringly evident. Yet, there was an undeniable magic to the unvarnished, peeling walls of the old school. Today, the building has been completely revitalized. The dust has been swept away, the walls stabilized, and the property reborn as the Museum of Legacies, dedicated to showcasing the rich material culture, textiles, and traditional arts of Rajasthan. While the pristine modern museum is an asset to Jaipur’s heritage tourism, looking back at these images reminds us of the haunting beauty that lived in its quiet, unrestored spaces.
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Looks real neat 🙂
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Yayo! It was certainly unique experience!
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I’ll bet 🙂
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🙂
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I’d love to have been there, Arv. I have a few similar postcards, although nothing from Jaipur, sadly. I did wonder about putting some up on a post, but I’m not sure how copyright might affect this.
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Mick, although I’m not sure how legal issues work on copyright stuff but I suppose putting it up for non commercial use wouldn’t infringe on them. by the way, what do those postcards relate to? Travel?
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They all tend to be views – a few from Darjeeling and surrounding area, and the rest, I think, without going to check, from Kolkata.
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Mick! I guess you won’t be infringing any copyright since these postcards are meant to be shared and they are likely to have general views. And in any case it’s not a commercial use that you’re intending. What’s the harm in sharing a post with a heading that says these are your favorite postcards or you miss these places? just my views, I’m not a legal expert! 🙂
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That sounds sensible, Arv.
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I love to immerse myself in different cultures. At my age I do not travel very much. So blogs like yours provide a vicarious means to see and appreciate other countries. Today’s posts contained some terrific photography. Thank you, ARV!
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Peter, it feels nice to know that you enjoy reading these posts and they are in a way your getaways! I can understand that after certain age there are many issues which are beyond your control. As for photography, well in many places you have certain limitations like people not appreciating camera around them, low light or time. you have to some times figure out a way and rest of times you have to live with it. out here there were no such restrictions. I have realised that DSLR is not always the best option, a super zoom is more desirable. thanks for liking and commenting Peter. 🙂
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Beautiful photos. Nice post.
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Thank You xhoddo! 🙂
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Looks interesting!!!!
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I too found it interesting! Something I never saw before. Will post part 3 soon.
Thanks for commenting!
🙂
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Didnt get the time to get to this post earlier Arv. But its been on my mind since I saw the update. What a unique concept, lovely. Great you could visit. Jaipur is always special for me, my birthplace. That such events happen there, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
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Som, in last few years Jaipur has been buzzing with cultural events, artistic events and so on. It has become quite vibrant. in fact there are happenings every now and then -I’m unable to keep pace with them. I can understand your weak spot or sweet spot (anyways- you can choose) for Jaipur! Do you visit Jaipur every year?
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No sadly. My close family lives in Udaipur now so Jaipur trips happen once in a while. Will definitely reach out when I am there next. And you can point me to Jaipur’s new charms 🙂
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Sure som!… Anytime!
You’re surely lucky to be able to visit Asia’s most romantic city -udaipur, again… and again! There’s something different about it. It stands apart from rest of places in Rajasthan!
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Great! Would love to visit Jaipur again (been there purely on business) for fun and photography! Nice work and illustration!
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Sanjeev! Jaipur is great place for photography especially portrait and architecture. Of course, former is not my forte. Thank you!
🙂
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I am sure I can squeeze my schedule for this adventure.. look forward to it. May be you can suggest nice places for a two day photography tour..:) Thanks in advance!
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Sure Sanjeev….anytime! just let me know! 🙂
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Thanks man!
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Great idea to display enlarged postcards! ☺ I enjoyed your post.
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I agree! I’m happy you enjoyed this post. Will post part 3 -the last one soon!
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I am looking forward to see it! ☺
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🙂
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A charming story. Wish I was there to see it.
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It’ll take place next year. do join.
🙂
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Hey Arv. Maybe someday, the building housing the exhibition will be renovated. thanks for sharing.
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Let’s hope so. thanks for checking it out and commenting! 🙂
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Lovely buildings and cards!
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Thank you ladyfi!
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Hi Arv! I have been to your website before! I am so Jealous that you are in Jaipur. The art, culture and architecture of Jaipur is endless! The colors, designs and people are warm. I have been there only once when I was young. I hope to make it there soon sometime.
-Nivs
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Nivs! Hi once again! 🙂
Don’t be jealous..when you can visit and experience all that you want to..
Do let me know if you need any help or suggestion! Btw, where are you based?
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Virginia right now. From Chennai but my heart is in Bangalore.
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oh…wow! “namma benguluru” ??
viriginia…work? I suppose. I love both these cities for different reasons…Chennai weather is something that I hate though along with noisy auto! 😉
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Virginia because the husband is here. Studies and work are part of that. I am not a fan of the Chennai heat and I faint at the thought of taking an auto. It is much better now because they are regulating the auto fares. Earlier they asked for Taj Mahal & Fort Knox to go anywhere.
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ha ha! Let me tell you they were far better than many other places…and at least there are plenty of these to choose from. In Bangalore, you have tough time finding one in many places!
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Oh yeah! True and true.
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🙂
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Thanks for offering for help. I will surely connect with ya when I do make it to Jaipur. Gives me reason to visit now!
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🙂
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I enjoyed reading your post. I have always liked post cards and I think it is good to recognize them as art.
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True Laura! Postcards have now been stashed away in history, practically! In the age of instant messages and emails, they are now a collector’s item! Thanks for checking it out, Laura! 🙂
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My pleasure to visit your blog.
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🙂
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So thoughtful of you that you have captured this exhibition Arv. People generally prefer to chuck such wonderful opportunities, that will lead us to a glimpse of Indian history. Am glad I landed here. Thanks for sharing your experience via your lens 😀
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Thank You Tara! I’m happy that you liked this write up. I’m yet to post part 3.
Hopefully should be able to post soon! Thanks for checking it out
🙂
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Hey ! Thanks for stopping by & liking my post (https://travellingstepsblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/04/triveni-sangam-allahabad/)
Awesome clicks 🙂 I have visited Jaipur so many times, wonder why have never written on it! What a colorful city it is, & well brought out in your pics !! Good work 🙂
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Thanks prachi.
please do write about Jaipur… I would love to read about it. when did you last visit Jaipur?
I guess this blog address is not added to your gravator profile as it takes one to some other blog!
Thanks for your comment.. I’m following your blog. 🙂
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What an amazing collection ! It’s super pretty. On a separate note, I am visiting Jaipur in May end for 2 days. Any suggestions what to visit?
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Thank you 🙂
Sure… I can help you out with that. If you’re on Twitter or instagram, let me know what interest you via dm. 🙂
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