Royal Fables

Before philanthropy became a concept, it was a way of leadership. Across different regions and eras, these rulers shared a common belief that true power lies not in what you hold, but in what you build for others. From Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, who made education accessible and empowered generations, to Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, who preserved faith and culture through enduring spaces of service, from Maharaja Ganga Singh, who transformed landscapes and livelihoods through visionary infrastructure, to Mir Osman Ali Khan, who channelled immense wealth into education and public welfare each of them redefined giving in their own way. Not as charity. But as responsibility. As governance. As legacy. Because the most powerful form of luxury is not possession it is the ability to create lasting impact.

Philanthropy Forum 2026 – “Tapas to Shakti” brings together thought leaders, cultural voices, and changemakers to explore a powerful idea:
Can giving become a way of life? From conversations on conscious luxury to the deeper roots of Indian philanthropy, the forum reflects on how ancient wisdom and modern thought can come together to create meaningful impact. Through her session, “Stories of Kings, Culture, and Giving,” Anshu Khanna, Founder of Royal Fables, will delve into India’s royal legacy where generosity was not performative, but deeply embedded in identity, duty, and culture. Prime Minister’s Museum & Library Teen Murti Marg, New Delhi
15th May
6:00 PM onwards Presented by InHappiness Foundation and Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation
In collaboration with Ashoka Road Thought Collective, FITT, and Royal Fables Because true legacy is not what we hold,
but what we choose to give forward.

A very happy birthday to @anshukhanna . Keep guiding us in the quest of keeping Indian heritage alive .

India, as we didn't know yet, is a land of watches and timekeeping. 115 years ago, collector extraordinaire The Maharaja of Patiala in India commissioned a rather less talked about Swiss atelier to make a custom watch tailored for his personal use, designed specifically at his instructions. The watch marked his coming of age and investiture to the throne of Patiala in 1910. Almost a century later the watch has appeared at auction after travelling three continents. We had been tracking this watch for over a year from its discovery in a Swiss Magazine. A stunning yellow gold gold openface minute repeating pocket watch with sunrise, sunset, equation of time, moon phases and perpetual calendar, made for the HH Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Bahadur of Patiala. The watch is a piece unique and extraordinary with a rather rare complication of 'Equation of Time' with the sunrise/sunset function set up for one particular latitude: 30.23 North which passes through Patiala in the Punjab of Northern India, made non other than legendary master of equation of time Léon Aubert of Brassus. The intended use of time - if defined in one sentence would be the knowledge of mean solar time - the natural rhythm of the day - as the Hindu & Sikhi calendars are lunisolar calendars and time is governed by nature in these faiths of the land. This isn't just a complicated pocket watch, it is an astronomical cosmos set geographically to work only in India. This is the Golay Fils & Stahl Ref. 28'432 piece unique made of the Maharaja of Patiala. India. Currently up for bidding at @phillipsauction @phillipswatches Geneva Watch Auction XXIII, Lot no. 107. Live bidding starts on Live May 9, 2:00 PM CEST, 5:30 PM IST. Explore the watch in detail at @patialariyasat @patialaheritage1 @patialamehfil @ranbaasthepalace_patiala @patiala_palate @unzip_punjab @tawarikh_e_punjab @maharaja.panjab @maharajaofkapurthala

This sibling duo sure need a standing ovation today. For giving Princely India its due place in the cacophony of international glamour. When India slept, two young royals walked the red carpet at the MET Gala, adding pride to their legacy. The design aficionado and women’s rights activist Gauravi Kumari, Princess of Jaipur, dazzled on the red carpet, draped demurely in her nani Rajmata Saaheb Padmini Devi ji’s pink sari, re-crafted into a gown by Prabal Gurung, and layers of pearls that was an ode to the spectacular Gayatri Devi, her great-grandmother. She wore her inherited heritage with such elan. Not to miss the colour pink that symbolised her city of Jaipur that her ancestor Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II painted terracotta pink in 1876 to welcome Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. She walked beside her brother, present day’s most dashing Maharaja, polo player, conservationist, and drop-dead gorgeous Sawai Padmanabh Singh, who wore a sharp black bandhgala, an outfit his grandfather Sawai Bhawani Singh ji did such justice to, proudly adding all his military medals to it. Over that, he added a typical sapphire blue Phulgar, also designed by Yash and Ashima Tholia @yashandashimatholiadesigns . Worn by Rajput Maharajas when they stepped out to hunt in the wee hours of a wintry morning in an era gone by, the Phulgar still remains the preferred overcoat by royals living in palaces surrounded by arid deserts and Aravalli hills. Interestingly, the world today is adding “Sawai” to his name without understanding its historic relevance. The title “Sawai” was bestowed upon Maharaja Jai Singh II of Amber by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1699. Impressed by the 11-year-old ruler’s intelligence, wit, and eloquence, Aurangzeb gave him this title, which means “one and a quarter,” signifying he was more skilled or superior than his contemporaries. And Padmanabh is sure worth more than one and a quarter of his contemporaries! GO GUYS, CONQUER THE WORLD. YOU DO US PROUD. . . . . . . . credits: @vogueindia

I was thrilled when @royal_fables and I were asked by textile aficionado and conservationist @pankajj_s to come on board as the curator of the textile exhibition #ShwetShyam featuring rich and rare textiles he designed for Orissa based NGO @rsbfoundation for their Project @tantavyaa . Steered by the quiet but dynamic @behera.priyanka01 (Also drop dead gorgeous) the project involved weavers and artisans of Orissa, Bengal and Assam and was linked to Krishna Bhakti. Now, my dear Shyam sure is loved in those lofty lands, sometimes as Lord Jaggannath and in other moments in Mayapuri where Sankirtan was born. There are so many I want to thank. - The very talented @neha_r_verma of @aabharnamfoundation for coming on board as my co-curator. @rashmivirmani for being such a magician. - A big thanks to the Maharani @radhikaraje Raje who is emerging as a true voice of India’s rich hand weave tradition. One she approaches with knowledge and design depth. - A big thanks to Yuvrani @meenaljhalasinghdeo and Yuvraaj @amarjyotisinghdeo of Dhenkanal who, with @kitchen_of_the_kings floored the gathering with their powder perfect fish jhuri, melt in the mouth Chenna Poda, mustardy prawn curry and temple dal served with tiny dosa like pancakes. - Also thanks to Shreeji Hujur @lakshyarajsinghmewar and his beautiful wife Maharani @nivrittikumarimewar for gracing the occasion. - Thank you pal @revathi_raju_61 Raju for flying in especially for this event. - No job is possible without my backbone, hubby @varunkhannadelhi and my team. - I want to thank young @namami__sharma who simply spoke their visual language to perfection, @thakurlavli who, despite a personal tragedy, stood rock solid by my side, night and day. - Not to ever forget my sons @ujwalvir (Born to me) and @maneetkocharr (My son in heart) and the very talented @apoorv.vik such a perfect addition to the team. Yes, @karishmasen9 thank you for adding such a silver gloss to the event with your brand @thesterlingaffaire . Priceless. - Thank you Krishna for this one. I owe you a visit in Mathura. Call me there please to once again yell Radhe- Radhe in joy.

When heritage speaks, it resonates across generations ✨ Shriji Huzur Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur (@lakshyarajsinghmewar )extends his heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Priyanka Behera (@behera.priyanka01 ) and the RSB Foundation on the successful unveiling of Shwet Shyam under Project Tantavyaa. Celebrating the timeless crafts of Odisha, West Bengal, and Assam, he highlights the importance of preserving India’s rich textile legacy while empowering artisan communities. The collection, envisioned and brought to life by Revivalist Pankaj of Pankaj S. Heritage (@pankaj_s_heritage ), stands as a tribute to India’s rich handloom traditions—revived with authenticity, depth, and purpose. A moment that beautifully brings together tradition, leadership, and purpose—encouraging all to support and celebrate the hands that keep our heritage alive. #ShwetShyam #ProjectTantavyaa #IndianTextiles #HandloomIndia #CraftRevival [ShwetShyam, ProjectTantavyaa, RSBFoundation, IndianTextiles, HandloomIndia, CraftRevival, CulturalLegacy, IndianHeritage, TextileTraditions, LivingHeritage, CraftCulture, SwadeshiMovement, RootsOfIndia, HeritageRevival, ArtisanEmpowerment, SupportHandloom, VocalForLocal, WeavingStories, ThreadsOfIndia, Craftsmanship, TextileArt, IncredibleIndia, MakeInIndia, SustainableCraft, EthicalFashion, CulturalLegacy, RSBFoundation, ArtisanEmpowerment, Swadeshi IncredibleIndia]

It was a packed house at the Royal Fables exhibition as friends and patrons enjoyed the beautiful Saree Soirée ! Grateful to Smt Kalvakuntla Kavita for gracing our event. Big thank you to my friend, Parvathi Reddy for showing solidarity! And last but not the least, gratitude towards @gaurangofficial and @pratikahaprashant for all their guidance and support ! I continued my nod to Kashmiri craftsmanship with this beautiful, vibrant red sozni and zardozi saree from @charu_saigal .

“This is more than a showcase… it’s a living story of heritage, spirit, and craft.” Curator Neha Verma @neha_r_verma welcomes you into Shwet Shyam—an immersive experience where textiles become storytellers, traditions find new voice, and the essence of devotion quietly unfolds. Here, every weave speaks of pride. Every creation carries empowerment. Every detail echoes devotion. This is not just something you attend… it’s something you absorb. ✨ Step in. Let it move you. 📍 National Crafts Museum, New Delhi 📅 Till 2nd May #ShwetShyam #Tantavyaa #TextileRevival #IndianCrafts #HandloomLove [CulturalNarratives, IndiaHeritage, Shwet Shyam, Tantavyaa, Royal Fables, Anshu Khanna, Indian textiles, textile revival, handloom, artisan stories, craft heritage, Krishna Bhakti, devotion, cultural identity, Swabhiman, Shaktikaran, Sankirtan, Indian crafts, heritage textiles, sustainable fashion, handmade, women artisans, craft empowerment, traditional weaves, storytelling through textiles, cultural experience, National Crafts Museum, New Delhi exhibition]

“This isn’t just about textiles… it’s about memory, devotion, and identity.” Curator Ms. Anshu Khanna (Founder, Royal Fables) @anshukhanna shares the emotion and intent behind Shwet Shyam a journey that brings forgotten weaves, unheard artisan stories, and the spirit of Krishna Bhakti back into the spotlight. Every thread here carries Swabhiman. Every creation reflects Shaktikaran. Every moment is rooted in Sankirtan. This is not an exhibition you just see… it’s one you feel. ✨ Walk in. Experience it for yourself. 📍 National Crafts Museum, New Delhi 📅 Till 2nd May #ShwetShyam #Tantavyaa #RoyalFables #TextileRevival #IndianCrafts [Shwet Shyam exhibition, Project Tantavyaa, textile revival India, Indian handloom textiles, traditional Indian crafts, cultural heritage India, artisan stories India, women artisan empowerment, sustainable fashion India, ethical handloom, slow fashion India, Krishna bhakti art, devotional textiles India, Indian weaving traditions, heritage textiles India, craft revival movement, handmade textiles India, indigenous weaves India, craft based exhibition Delhi, National Crafts Museum Delhi exhibition, cultural events Delhi 2026, textile exhibition India, Indian artisans and crafts, Royal Fables India, experiential textile exhibition, HandloomLove, CulturalNarratives, IndiaHeritage]

The journey of Project Tantavyaa: Shwet Shyam is about to unfold—where devotion meets design, and craft meets purpose. A celebration of India’s living textile traditions, empowering women artisans and reviving heritage across Odisha, Bengal, and Assam. We can’t wait to welcome you. 📍 National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, New Delhi 📅 27th April – 2nd May 2026 #3DaysToGo #ShwetShyam #ProjectTantavyaa #CraftRevival #HandloomIndia [CulturalHeritage, RSBFoundation, Tantavyaa, Shwet Shyam, Project Tantavyaa, RSB Foundation, Indian textiles, handloom heritage, craft revival, women artisans, artisan empowerment, sustainable fashion, textile traditions, Odisha crafts, Bengal textiles, Assam weaving, Indian craftsmanship, cultural heritage, heritage revival, handmade textiles, ethical fashion, slow fashion, craft cluster, artisan stories, textile exhibition, immersive experience, National Crafts Museum, Hastkala Academy, New Delhi events, design meets tradition, cultural storytelling]

The City of Nawabs opened its heart to welcome Royal Fables! Our guests got to peak into the minds of some very admired and distinguished members of the erstwhile royal families such as Princess Manjari Mishra of Ayodhya, Kanwarani Ambikaraje Ghorpade of Sandur and Nawab Kazim Ali Khan of Rampur . And we in turn enjoyed the glitz and glam of this very cultured city. My beautiful summer green chiffon saree from @charu_saigal is adorned with very intricate Tilla Dozi work creating a seamless harmony between tradition and modern elegance. Each such piece takes months to make and comes straight from the hands and hearts of our Kashmiri wadis up north.