Rajmata Gayatri Devi by Dharmendar Kanwar

Book – Rajmata Gayatri Devi 

Author – Dharmendar Kanwar

Genre – Biography

Publisher – Roli Books (January 2004)

No. of pages – 96

About the book –

Biography of Rajmata Gayatri Devi – Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Asian History. Jaipur History. Indian Royalties.

Book Review –

“There is a deep pain in my heart – it hurts very much and there is no one to talk to. In the world where I live there is no one to talk to. In the world that I live there is no love, no sympathy, no loving arms, no shoulder to cry on. You have to hide the hurt because if people saw it that would laugh and be pleased. There is no sympathy here, nor any understanding. So all my pent up feelings are hurting and there is a pain in my chest – sometimes it is such an acute pain.” – Somewhere in Rajmata Gayatri Devi’s diary.

This is a biography of Jaipur’s princess – Gayatri Devi back from the Independence period. Back when war was the only topic discussed.

I recently visited Jaipur and was blown away by the beautiful and the very detailed architecture and the traditional lifestyle which is led there.

This biography written by Dharmendar Kanwar is very detailed talking about her personal, social and political doings. Right from her childhood, family events, she falling in love with His Highness Maharaja Man Singh (she being his 3rd wife (self chosen) and marriage, family deaths, politics and her life post all the losses.

It was great learning about the royal family. Every page has a picture of the event being talked about. The biography is precisely and very well written in simple language.

Gayatri Devi’s story was inspiring and isn’t it always great reading about history if a place and a person? To trace down what happened in the place where we are living when we weren’t here. To trace where we (our traditions) came from.

There is a reason why I love reading biographies, autobiographies and memoirs. They seem very very personal. I feel like the person is talking to no one but me. Tell me about their ups and downs. About their brightest brights and their darkest darks. I feel the pain when they lose their loved ones forever and grieve at times.

I feel proud when they are at their highest form of happiness. I become well aware of my feelings and emotions.

Her diary entry dated 10th March 1971 read –

“I need someone older than me. Someone who cares for me. You had such high principles; no one else seems to have those standards. I am lost and miserable without you… in less than 2 years I have lost Ma, Dada and you. Life is cruel. I had so much happiness and love and now nothing.”

About the Author –              

Dharmender Kanwar studied at the Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls Public School and went to university in Jaipur. She started her writing career immediately after finishing school and did campus reporting for youth magazines like Hi Young People’s newspaper, junior statesman and Youth Times. Over the last twenty five odd years she has done scripts for television documentaries, been involved in heritage conservation, and contributed stories to almost all the major magazines and newspapers in the country.

– Kinjal Parekh