The program will open with a folk performance by the award-winning SAZ Trio, celebrating the vibrant musical traditions of Rajasthan’s desert.
Following the ceremonial unveiling of the book, the evening will continue with a conversation with Maharaja Gajsingh II of Marwar–Jodhpur and co-authors Yogi Vaid and Aman Nath. Moderated by Asad Lalljee, the discussion will explore how Bapji emerged as a “king of conscience” whose influence extends far beyond inherited power.
Yogi Vaid is a Delhi-based writer known for his reflective and empathetic prose. An alumnus of Modern School, SRCC, and FMS Delhi, his writing is shaped by personal memory, conversation, and long-form storytelling, giving the book its intimate narrative voice
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Aman Nath is a writer, architectural conservationist, and co-founder of Neemrana Hotels. With more than thirty restored heritage properties and over twenty books to his credit, his work has been pivotal in redefining heritage conservation and tourism in India.
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Asad Lalljee is the Senior Vice President of Essar Group, CEO of Avid Learning, a public programming initiative and creative platform under the Essar Group, and Curator of the Royal Opera House, Mumbai. Before relocating to India, he spent 14 years as one of the ‘Mad Men’ advertising executives on New York's Madison Avenue. Asad has transformed Avid Learning into India’s leading cultural hub through international collaborations and partnerships with the country’s biggest art platforms. Since the restoration of the Royal Opera House, his curatorial programming has re-established its reputation as the city’s cultural crown jewel. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Kala Ghoda Association and the advisory board of the Mumbai Urban Art Festival (2022-23). Amid the pandemic (April 2020), Asad pivoted from Avid Learning to Avid Online, presenting 240 programs in a year. An early adopter of technology trends, he specializes in new media, curating programs around AI and the cyberfuture. Asad holds a B.A. in Economics from St. Xavier's College and an M.A. in Global Marketing Communications from Emerson College, Boston.
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What does it mean to inherit power at a moment when power itself is being redefined? In post-Independence India, many princely rulers found themselves navigating a new reality where monarchy no longer held political authority. For Maharaja Gajsingh II, often known as Bapji, this transition became an opportunity to rethink what kingship could represent in a society.
Rather than retreating into ceremonial relevance, Bapji reimagined his role as one rooted in public service, cultural stewardship, and social responsibility. His life reflects a shift from inherited privilege to earned respect, where leadership was defined not by control, but by contribution. This transformation is central to understanding his legacy. He did not abandon tradition, but reshaped it to remain meaningful in a modern context.
An intimate pictorial biography of his life offers rare insight into this journey. Drawing from first-hand accounts, long-standing personal relationships, and extensive archival material, the book captures both the public and private dimensions of Bapji’s world. Through 233 illustrations, it documents a life lived across eras, from royal rituals and ceremonial duties to moments of personal reflection and everyday engagement. These images reveal how history is not only recorded in grand events, but also in quieter, human experiences.
Bapji’s legacy is deeply tied to the cultural and architectural heritage of Marwar. His continued involvement in preserving palaces, institutions, and traditions reflects a commitment to continuity without stagnation. Heritage, in this sense, becomes a living practice rather than a static inheritance. By supporting conservation efforts and cultural initiatives, he ensured that the past remained accessible and relevant to future generations.
Equally significant is the way he engaged with people beyond the framework of monarchy. His reputation as a “king of conscience” emerges from this approach. It suggests a leadership style grounded in empathy, accountability, and awareness of social change. In a time when titles no longer carried formal authority, influence had to be built through trust and action. Bapji’s life demonstrates how this shift can be navigated with intention.
The biography situates his journey within the broader transformations of India after independence. It reflects a period when identities were being renegotiated, and institutions were adapting to new democratic structures. Against this backdrop, Bapji’s story becomes more than a personal narrative. It becomes a lens through which to understand how legacy can evolve alongside history.
At its core, his life raises a larger question. What endures when power structures change? The answer, as this portrait suggests, lies not in titles or inheritance, but in the values that guide action. Leadership, when rooted in responsibility and awareness, continues to hold meaning regardless of context.
In tracing the life of Maharaja Gajsingh II, the narrative offers a reminder that legacy is not fixed. It is shaped over time, through choices, relationships, and the ability to adapt without losing sight of purpose.
