'Celebrating Jaipur', an illustrated talk by photographer Serena Fass is in aid of The Jaipur Virasat Foundation that has HRH The Prince of Wales as its patron. Festival patron Maharaj Jai Singh of Jaipur will introduce the lecture, on Thursday 8 July 2004. Fass's talk will be followed by a presentation by Nimish Patel on 'Conserving Heritage: A Call for Continuity with Change'.

SERENA FASS

Author, photographer and traveller Serena Fass first visited Jaipur with her sister Virginia in 1969. She has known the Jaipur Royal Family since 1970 when, on behalf of HH the Maharaja of Baroda, she and Virginia spent three days photographing the many Royal Palaces in Jaipur for Virginia's book 'Palaces of Jaipur'. She has since returned many times, most recently to participate in the Jaipur Virasat Festival in January. In 1974 Serena produced 'Faces of India', an anthology of her photographs ad Indian poetry, to raise money for Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

NIMISH PATEL

Nimish Patel, an award winning Ahmedabad-based architect, leading international conservationist and visionary, sits on the UNESCO Asia Pacific Region panel for conservation awards. He has worked extensively in Rajasthan with traditional building skills and is one of the founders of the Jaipur Heritage movement.

THE JAIPUR VIRASAT FOUNDATION

JVF's aim is to conserve, in a rapidly modernising India, Rajasthan's rich cultural heritage for the long-term benefit of the people. Its immediate objectives are:

To establish an annual Jaipur Festival to showcase and encourage the distinctive arts and crafts of Rajasthan and generate employment.

To safeguard heritage by establishing a Jaipur Heritage Institute and a Rajasthan Heritage Commission.

To create awareness, particularly among the young, of the economic potential of the region's heritage and its importance for a sustainable future.

To engage with citizens and government to manage the heritage sensitively and professionally.

To promote the enduring relevance of traditional craft skills and wisdom to ensure their survival.

FAITH SINGH

Faith Singh, a Trustee of the JVF, is currently running the Foundation. She settled in Jaipur from the UK in 1967 when she married John Singh, nephew of the late Maharajah. Faith and John are known for creating the brand Anokhi, a high quality, craft-based line of textiles available for the past thirty years through the Anokhi shops in India.

Those wishing to attend should send a cheque for £20 made payable to Charities Direct (Jaipur) to John Horner, 119 Flood Street, London SW3 5TD or call 01308 420 511.

Top