1. The History
Thirty-six kilometres from Kota, in Rajasthan, lies the majestic small town of Bundi. Dotted with numerous magnificent forts and palaces all around, The Garh Palace, the jewel in the crown of Bundi. It has a number of petite palaces encircling the central majestic residence, built by various rulers down the pathways of history. Built during the 17th and 18th centuries, it is a fine example of exquisite Rajput architecture, housing some of the most amazing Bundi frescoes. The palaces inside the royal fort of Bundi are elaborately decorated with vibrant paintings that beautifully depict scenes from daily life in the court of Bundi as well as vivid scenes from traditional literary and religious texts. The illustrations are testimony to the rich cultural interrelationships that give the paintings their unique power and importance.
2. The Explore
OK, here’s one from the archives that is a bit different. Bundi or Garh Palace is an abandoned India fort-cum-palace. When we went to Rajasthan, India back in 1995 and ended up in the fairly isolated town of Bundi and got the chance to go round its abandoned palace. Despite dominating the town and its position right in the centre, the royal fort was abandoned or was when we went there.
Fortunately, we managed to find a man with a key so we could have a look round. It was a completely stunning place. The wall-paintings that depicted daily life at the Bundi court from the early 17th to the late 19th centuries, as well as scenes from traditional literary and religious texts were stunning: processions with hundreds of horses and riders, amusing scenes from courtly life and trees, flowers and wading birds finely drawn in a subtle palate of blues and greens. Since we went over 25 years ago the place has now opened officially and become something of a tourist attraction.
3. The Pictures
All shot and a combination of colour and black and white 35mm film.
This broken marble throne was stunning:
Amazing views over Bundi:
On to the amazing frescos:
Thirty-six kilometres from Kota, in Rajasthan, lies the majestic small town of Bundi. Dotted with numerous magnificent forts and palaces all around, The Garh Palace, the jewel in the crown of Bundi. It has a number of petite palaces encircling the central majestic residence, built by various rulers down the pathways of history. Built during the 17th and 18th centuries, it is a fine example of exquisite Rajput architecture, housing some of the most amazing Bundi frescoes. The palaces inside the royal fort of Bundi are elaborately decorated with vibrant paintings that beautifully depict scenes from daily life in the court of Bundi as well as vivid scenes from traditional literary and religious texts. The illustrations are testimony to the rich cultural interrelationships that give the paintings their unique power and importance.
2. The Explore
OK, here’s one from the archives that is a bit different. Bundi or Garh Palace is an abandoned India fort-cum-palace. When we went to Rajasthan, India back in 1995 and ended up in the fairly isolated town of Bundi and got the chance to go round its abandoned palace. Despite dominating the town and its position right in the centre, the royal fort was abandoned or was when we went there.
Fortunately, we managed to find a man with a key so we could have a look round. It was a completely stunning place. The wall-paintings that depicted daily life at the Bundi court from the early 17th to the late 19th centuries, as well as scenes from traditional literary and religious texts were stunning: processions with hundreds of horses and riders, amusing scenes from courtly life and trees, flowers and wading birds finely drawn in a subtle palate of blues and greens. Since we went over 25 years ago the place has now opened officially and become something of a tourist attraction.
3. The Pictures
All shot and a combination of colour and black and white 35mm film.
This broken marble throne was stunning:
Amazing views over Bundi:
On to the amazing frescos:
