I visited the exhibition in the Victoria and Albert Museum - so here are a few notes for you. There is a website at: http://www.vam.ac.uk/microsites/maharaja/
PAINTING
By hundreds and yards
figurines stand to acclaim
their maharana.
PROCESSION
Howdah
Sunburst to the front,
gold lions to the side, adorn
the ruler's howdah.
Morcchal
Two feather clusters,
peacock-tails, tell us this ruler
Guards us from sickness.
Chhadi
But these two staff
he show his right and power to
award punishment.
Gotu
Lion headed clubs,
silverwork, assert hs power
and independence.
Pennant
the dagger and sun
remind us of this Rajput's
martial heritage.
Karnia
Embroider spade-shaped fans,
silver, velvet and gold, boast
Sun is his father.
Chhavi
These date-palm frond show
abundance follows this guard
of order and law.
Chauri
Attendants will sway
fans of cotton and yak hair
to sooth their monarch.
Adoni
Scent of sandal-wood
surround the ruler, wafted
from round swirling fans.
Chhatra
Over the ruler
as symbol of his kingship
a silk parasol.
Ankus
Cut and pierced steel join
brass to form the mahout's curb,
the elephant's goad.
Hathi
Under the howdah,
tricked out in gold and velvet,
plods the elephant.
PAINTINGS
Four times Swarap Singh
rides his white palace square
coloured for Holi.
In a plain dhoti
humbled before his image
Balwant Singh worships.
Akbar, emperor,
himself discharges arrows
quelling the Rajput.
From close, in long grass,
bold Darjan Sul of Kota
dispatched the lion.
Under the moonlight
the tiger claws the bound ox,
feels Umed singh's shot.
Chand Bibi, princess
and warrior leads her ladies
hunting the sleek deer.
The rain has arrived! -
Look at the maharajah
Playing on a swing!
In his green helmet,
Tipu Saultan, tiger, longs
For free India.
Distribute the ruler's
weight in gold! the poor wish for
fat maharajahs!
ARTICLES
throne
Velvet and gold thread
make a canopy over
the ruler's gaddi -
canopy
They come to seek him
on this textile and cushions
their maharajah
flint-lock
Flower enamelling,
delicate carving, but still
a weapon of war.
transport
No elephant now -
this maharana prefers
Rolls Royce, Phantom 1.
robe
A young gentleman
will look his finest in this
pink floral jama.
jama
A simple jama?
two hundred and seventy seven
panels in the skirt!
FAREWELL
I'm sorry, my friends,
I can't stay any longer
I've a train to catch!
