ISSUE 199

Hundred + 99th Edition

BREAKING STEREOTYPES

After two years, Manipur’s Women’s International Polo Tournament was kicked off again at Mapal Kangjeibung Polo Ground in Imphal. South Africa showed its prowess.

Breaking Stereotypes

After two years, Manipur’s Women’s International Polo Tournament was kicked off again at Mapal Kangjeibung Polo Ground in Imphal. South Africa showed its prowess.

Women Equestrians

Female equestrian sports has been a part of the Olympic Games since the Athens Olympics in 1896. With more than 50 countries represented, the number of female equestrian competitors in Olympics 2021 was at an all-time high.

Maharani Gayatri Devi

In the twentieth century, very few Indian women could have claimed to have held strong sway over the public, in India and abroad. Maharani Gayatri Devi was one of them.

The International Ladies Tournament organized by Jaipur Riding and Polo Club was won by team Ireland after a head-to-head final match against Czech Republic.

BREAKING STEREOTYPES

After two years, Manipur’s Women’s International Polo Tournament was kicked off again at Mapal Kangjeibung Polo Ground in Imphal. South Africa showed its prowess.

Manipur recently resurrected the Women’s International Polo Tournament. The tournament had begun as a platform for women polo players around the globe to unite, become each other’s support system,

and lay down the path in the male dominated sport. Polo itself is currently going through the budding stage of popularity in our country. While being associated with the sport might not raise any eyebrows, being a woman polo player is sure to get you a few side glances. It becomes imperative, then, for the governing bodies of the sport to knock down all outdated

traditions by throwing their weight behind the cause.

This led to the birth of the Women’s International Polo Tournament in 2017, combining native and international female players at the birthplace of the sport, Manipur. This year, the tournament was inaugurated by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, as he welcomed

Image Credit: AMPA

the 5 teams in the oldest polo ground in the world. The teams were: India (ManipurA), India (Manipur - B), India (Indian Polo Association), South Africa and Luxembourg. South Africa won in a jawdropping spectacle. La Polo secured conversations with a few players of the teams.

women’s polo tournament was very important as it empowers women polo players around the world, especially our Manipuri women, to showcase their skills and prowess in the sport. I hope this tournament gathers more grandeur and many more countries participate. We also get to showcasethe beauty of our culture and birthplace of Polo (Sagol Kangjei),”

Manipur A player Lucy

Laishram said: “We got a lot of exposure and also gained knowledge from the foreign teams. Among the teams, I adore South Africa the most. Their playing style, tactics and teamwork is the best which I’ve seen till date. If more foreign teams participate in the upcoming international tournament then we have a chance to show the strength of our ponies as well as women players from our tiny state Manipur to the whole world.”

Neelu RK, from Team Manipur B, said: “The

“This tournament is making an effort to break the stereotypes in society. It builds up the confidence among women to get the courage to get involved with the sport.” said Khondongbam Deventy

Devi. “Players dream to get into the international levels. Such tournaments improve the players’ confidence, playing techniques and team coordination. It improves the communication and interaction skills with foreign players too,” says Yumnam Ranjita.

The finale of the tournament was a showdown between teams South Africa and Manipur A (India). With Manipur’s rough and sloped grounds, it’s hard to get a hang of playing the sport on the terrain. Despite being completely new at handling the weather and land issues, South Africa ended up stepping on the winning pedestal. It was truly a jaw-dropping remarkable moment. “In my opinion, the most striking moment was when team Manipur A (India), the most experienced team, lost to South Africa,” expressed Player Salam Ngounu Chanu of IPA (India).

The tournament also created an opportunity to promote and conserve the endangered Manipuri Ponies. A chief element of traditional Manipuri Polo ‘Sagol Kangjei’, Manipuri Ponies’ numbers are dwindling rapidly. During this time of need,

Manipur’s Government is pulling all stops to conserve the ponies and restore the breed’s headcount. The South African team was incredibly moved by Manipur and its indigenous ponies, and ended up giving their winnings to the cause. While accepting the trophy, the team proclaimed, “It has been the experience of a lifetime in which we have been blown away by Manipur and how much it has given to the game we love. This trip for us has been like a pilgrimage in learning its roots, playing on the iconic grounds and legendary ponies. The mighty Manipuri ponies have stolen our hearts and we have decided as a team to donate our winnings back to the conservation of the ponies.”

Image Credit: AMPA

RADHA MOHAN RAJINDRER MOHAN GOLD VASE (8 GOAL) TOURNAMENT

TheRadha Mohan Rajinder Mohan Challenge Cup is a historic polo competition that has stood the test of time. This prestigious tournament has become an integral part of the Delhi Polo Season and is one of the oldest and most esteemed competitions in the country. The RMRM Gold Vase Cup has a rich history that dates back to January 1907 when it was presented by Late Lala Radha Mohan, Rais-E-Azam of Delhi. The Radha Mohan Rajindrer Mohan Gold Vase (8-goal) competition is just around the corner, and it’s time to get excited! From March 22nd to March 26th, the ultimate polo showdown will take place, bringing together some of the best teams in the sport. Each team is focused on showcasing their exceptional abilities and pushing themselves to their limits. With precise plays and breathtaking maneuvers, this tournament promises to deliver a heart-pounding display of sportsmanship that will leave you at the edge of your seat. Join us for an unforgettable event that will leave everyone in awe of the skill, precision, and passion of the players.

Source : www.lapolo.in

NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL SERIES SET TO RETURN FOR 32ND SEASON IN AUGUST

TheNewport International Series, a highly anticipated annual polo tournament, will be returning for its 32nd season on August 5, 2023. This prestigious event has a long and illustrious history, dating back to the inaugural tournament in August 1886 at the Westchester Polo Club in Newport, Rhode Island, where the International Polo Cup was contested. Over the years, the Newport International Series has attracted top polo teams and players from around the world, making it one of the most highly regarded tournaments in the sport. The tournament is known for its competitive gameplay and stunning backdrop, set against the rolling hills and sparkling waters of Newport.

The 32nd edition of the tournament promises to be a highlight of the polo calendar, with teams from 35 different countries scheduled to compete against each other. Participants include teams from Argentina, England, Spain, France, India, Australia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Canada, Chile, Jamaica, Nigeria, Portugal, New Zealand, Barbados, Scotland, South Africa, Hungary, the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, Kenya, Brazil, China, Italy, Mexico, Sweden, Singapore, Monaco, Morocco, Peru, Poland, Switzerland, and Colombia.

The Newport International Series is a significant event in the polo world and is not to be missed by fans of the sport. The tournament’s matches are sure to be fiercely contested, with players vying for the prestigious championship title. The tournament promises to provide an unforgettable experience for both players and spectators alike

GASSIN-SAINT TROPEZ TO HOST 2023 POLO RIDER CUP IN JUNE

ThePolo Rider Cup, a highly anticipated 10-12 goals handicap tournament, will be held at Gassin-Saint Tropez in France from June 14-25, 2023. The tournament will consist of five chukkers and will feature 12 teams, each represented by a club.

The Polo Rider Cup is known for its competitive gameplay and high-stakes matches, with players and teams vying for the prestigious championship title. The tournament promises to be an unforgettable experience for both players and spectators alike, with top-quality polo and a fantastic atmosphere. Be sure not to miss this exciting event on the polo calendar.

GAUNTLET OF POLO RETURNS WITH THE CV WHITNEY CUP (18-22 GOAL)

The2023 GAUNTLET OF POLO, one of America’s most prestigious cups, is set to make its return with a series of exciting tournaments. The tournament kicked off with the CV Whitney Cup, an 18-22 goal handicap match, on 12-26 February 2023.

The dates of the USPA Gold Cup, an 8-22 goal match, are from 1-26 March. The championship will culminate with the US Open Polo Championship, a 22goal handicap match, slated for March 29 to April 23. The US Open Women’s Polo Championship, an 18-24 goal handicap match, is being held from March 9 to March 19.

The GAUNTLET OF POLO is considered one of the most challenging titles to win in the sport of polo. To be declared the champion, a team must win three tournaments in a row. The winner will be remembered as the 2023 GAUNTLET OF POLO champion and will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the greatest polo teams of all time.

The 2023 GAUNTLET OF POLO promises to be a thrilling event for all polo enthusiasts, with top teams and players competing for the coveted title. Don’t miss out on the action and join us for an unforgettable polo experience!

United States Polo Association

THE

SONA

CUP (6 GOAL)

The matches which featured three top-class teams - Aravali Polo, Sona Polo and MAS - were a true spectacle for the polo fans in attendance. Each team showcased their skills and gave their best to secure the coveted trophy.

In the end, it was Sona Polo’s superior tactics and teamwork that prevailed over their opponents. In a thrilling match held at the Gurgaon Polo and Equestrian Club, Sona Polo emerged as the champions of the Sona Trophy, defeating Aravali Polo in a closely contested final.

JAIPUR RIDING & POLO CLUB HOSTS SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL LADIES TOURNAMENT

TheJaipur Riding & Polo Club made history by hosting a successful International Ladies Tournament to commemorate International Women’s Day. The event was aimed at encouraging and increasing the participation of women in polo in India and around the world.

The tournament began on March 8, 2023, with the finals played on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Four women’s teams competed for the coveted “Jaipur Gold Cup,” including international teams from the UK, Ireland, and the Czech Republic, as well as a local team from Jaipur.

The highly anticipated final match of the International Ladies Tournament at Jaipur Riding & Polo Club was a nail-biting affair between Ireland and the Czech Republic. Both teams displayed exceptional skills and tactics, keeping the score tied at 4-4 in the fourth chukker. With the March drawing to a close, tensions ran high as the teams battled it out for the coveted “Jaipur Gold Cup.” In the final 30 seconds of the match, Ireland seized an opportunity to score a crucial goal, emerging victorious with a score of 5-4.

LA Polo Instagram(@lapoloindia)

ARMY POLO CHAMPIONSHIP (4 GOAL)

TheArmy Polo Championship (4 goals) tournament was a highly anticipated event for polo players of all levels. It took place from 22 February to 4 March and was an exciting showcase of skill and talent. The Army Polo Championship has a long and storied history, with the tournament dating back several decades. The tournament drew in a large number of participants from all over the world, all eager to compete against each other in this prestigious event. It consisted of several rounds, with the winners advancing to the next round until the ultimate champion was crowned. The players displayed impressive horsemanship skills and strategic gameplay throughout the tournament, thrilling the audience with each match. Here are the statistics form the tournament :

LA Polo Instagram (@lapoloindia)

IPA NATIONAL POLO CHAMPIONSHIP (OPEN)

One of the oldest and most prestigious polo tournaments in the world, the IPA Open, also known as the Indian Polo Association Open, has a rich history dating back to 1900. Held annually, this highly anticipated event brings together top polo teams from across the globe to compete for the championship title.

The IPA National Polo Championship has become an integral part of the polo community in India, drawing in top players and fans from all over the country. The tournament is known for its high level of competition and thrilling matches, with each team showcasing their skills and strategies on the field.

The tournament is played over six chukkas, adding an extra level of challenge and excitement for both players and spectators. The recent edition of the championship had the following matches:

Polo Instagram (@lapoloindia)

WOMEN Equestrians

Female equestrian sports has been a part of the Olympic Games since the Athens Olympics in 1896. With more than 50 countries represented, the number of female equestrian competitors in Olympics 2021 was at an all-time high. Here’s a list of some top equestrian athletes to watch out for at the next Olympics:

ANKY VAN GRUNSVEN

The Dutch dressage rider has dominated the sport for over two decades. She has won three gold medals at the Olympic Games, three World Championships, and eleven European Championships. She is considered one of the greatest female equestrian athletes of all time

Image Credit: [Arnd Bronkhorst] Anky van Grusnven and Bonfire after winning gold at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

LAURA GRAVES

Laura Graves of the United States was one of the most noteworthy female equestrian competitors at the Tokyo Olympics. She was the World Dressage Champion in 2016 and took part in the Tokyo Olympic individual dressage competition in 2020. Graves, who is renowned for her talent, devotion, and labour of love, is certain to leave a lasting impression on the competition.

Image Credit: [Mary Adelaide Brakenridge ] Dressage rider Leah Wilkins on pregnancy

LEAH WILSON

Another female athlete that competed at the Tokyo Olympics is Canadian Leah Wilson. Wilson has won three medals at the Pan American Games and has participated in a number of World Cup competitions. She is a talented and skilled rider who left a lasting impact at the Olympics

Image Credit: [Laura Graves] the first American to be ranked Number One in the world for dressage.

SONJA JOHNSON

The Australian equestrian athlete was another participant in the Tokyo Olympics. Sonja Johnson, a two-time World Cup champion and five-time Olympian, is guaranteed to make an impression and win hearts with her performances in the next Olympics at Paris.

Image Credit: Sonja and Misty Isle Valentino

MARGIE GOLDSTEINENGLE

Among the most accomplished equestrian athletes in history is Margie Goldstein-Engle. She has won many medals in dressage and show jumping, including a silver medal at the Olympics in 1984 and a bronze medal at the Olympics in 1988. She has also won the World Cup Final three times and is a nine-time champion in that competition.

Image Credit: [ESI] Margie & Royce

LESLIE BURR HOWARD

The first ever female equestrian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics is Leslie Burr-Howard. She was the first female equestrian to ever compete for the United States Equestrian Team and earned the individual gold medal in the 1984 Olympics. She is an inspiration to all aspiring female equestrians and a great pioneer.

Image Credit: [Arnd Bronkhorst] With Extreme, her sensitive and scopey partner, Leslie earned a 1996 Olympic team silver medal.

GEORGINA BLOOMBER

At the age of four, Bloomberg started riding. She started riding professionally in 2004, when she was 21. Both the Grand Prix of the Bluegrass Festival and the Empire State were won by her. At the Hampton Classic Horse Show in 2016, she took first place in the Royalton Farms Open Jumper 1.4m division.

Image Credit: [Jump Media]

Georgina Bloomberg and Paola 233 at the Washington International Horse Show.

Image Credit: [PSV/COMPIÈGNE

EQUESTRE]

CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN

British equestrian Charlotte Dujardin has won numerous medals at the Olympics, World Cups, and World Championships. She is the only British dressage rider to have won the World Cup and the only dressage rider to have won four Olympic gold medals.

Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep.

GAIL GREENOUGH

Gail Greenough was a Canadian equestrian champion and an Olympian who competed in show jumping and eventing. She became the first Canadian woman to win an Olympic medal in show jumping when she earned the bronze medal in the individual competition at the Seoul Summer Olympics in 1988. One of the finest equestrians of all time, Greenough won the Canadian National Show Jumping Championship five times.

Gail Greenough was the first woman to compete in the final four at a show jumping world championships and the first female individual gold medalist.

Image Credit: [Bob Langrish]

EDWINA TOPSALEXANDER

Australian equestrian Edwina Tops-Alexander has participated in competitions for the Olympics, World Cup, and World Championships. In both show jumping and eventing, she has taken home both individual and team gold medals.

Image Credit: . Legends of the sport: Showjumper Marion Mould with her pony Stroller

MARION COAKES

One of the greatest female riders ever is Marion Coakes. She is best known for winning the gold medal in solo show jumping at the 1968 Olympics, where she made history as the first British woman to win an equestrian medal. In recognition of her contributions to equestrianism, she was also given the Order of the British Empire in 1969.

Credit: [Stefano Grasso]

Edwina Tops-Alexander on California

ISABELL WERTH

Most people agree that Isabell Werth is the most successful female equestrian of all time. She is the most decorated female equestrian in Olympic history with ten medals, including four golds. Having won an astounding 22 World Cup trophies, she also retains the record for the most of them. She is a great trailblazer and an example to all female riders who want to compete.

Female equestrian sport will return in the next Olympics. The introduction of a female equestrian competition at the Games has been approved by the executive board of the International Olympic Committee. The existing men’s and women’s equestrian competitions will be supplemented with this event. The history of female equestrianism is lengthy and extensive. It was initially introduced for military purposes and has roots in ancient horsemanship. Since then, it has developed into an Olympic competition and which today is regarded as a crucial component of female equestrian sport.

Image Credit: [Roslyn Neave, Kenneth Braddick, Rebecca Ashton] . Isabell Werth –dealing with each horse as an individual

Equines Around The World

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BROWN EQUESTRIAN COMPETED AT THE JOHNSON & WALES SHOW

On the Intermediate Flat, Sophie Butcher won the first place for the second straight performance. Amber Keown-Lang came in at number four in the Intermediate Fences. The only challenger for Brown’s Equestrian in the Open Fences and Flat was Sophia Ekstrand. Ekstrand placed fourth in both competitions and earned a spot in the Open Fences regionals. Daphne Maniatis finished second in the limit fences and advanced to the intermediate division in the Novice category. On March 18, Brown University Athletes will participate in the Roger Williams and Salve Regina Show.

https://brownbears.com/news

DGP HONORS

THE ASSAM STATE EQUESTRIAN CHAMPIONSHIP’S EQUESTRIAN TEAM

The Assam Police Equestrian Team was warmly greeted by DGP, GP Singh, for their exceptional performance at the Assam State Equestrian Championship in Numaligarh. The six-person team won seven medals. In the Equestrian Championship, two of the participants finished at fourth place. Silver medal winners included Ajay Kumar Upadhya, Rituparna Chetia, and Debojit Saikia. Bronze medal winners included Jitumoni Chetri, Gilson Mahilary, and Majibur Rahman. Santosh Hajowary and Rashidul Alam finished fourth overall. The 4th APBn, Kahilipara, was the location of the felicitation.

LEBANESE EQUESTRIAN JAD DANA BOOSTS OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION CHANCES

The Winter Equestrian Festival’s elite Class 515 - CSI5 competition saw Lebanese rider Jad Dana once again demonstrate his prowess (WEF). The tournament, which is held annually from January to March at Wellington International in Wellington, FL, is one of the most significant events in the horse riding world. Dana triumphed against Egyptian Nayel Nassar (son-in-law of Bill Gates), and Irish Daragh Kenny to claim first place. Dana’s triumph has improved his prospects of qualifying for the Paris Olympics in 2024, despite riding a horse that was less powerful than those of his competitors.

HAT-TRICK FOR MELISSA GALLOWAY AT 2023 CDI TAUPO

At the first New Zealand-based CDI for 2023, Melissa Galloway and Windermere Jbei W scored a triumphant hat-trick. Together with the three victories, the duo also competed in the Grand Prix Special in front of judges Helen Hughes-Keen & Mura Love, Vittorio Barba, and Maria Schwennesen (all from Australia), for a personal best score (NZL). An experienced field of eight competitors competed in the event, which was moved from the Cyclone Gabrielle affected Horse of the Year Show to the Waikato Oro Equestrian Championships in Taupo.

ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE

(RCMP) HAS GIFTED KING CHARLES WITH A NEW HORSE

ThNoble, a brand-new horse, was gifted to King Charles in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the RCMP. Noble is a seven years old mare who stands 16.2 hands tall, according to People Magazine. King Charles had already met his horse earlier in the week at Windsor’s Royal Mews.

Noble can be seen proudly donning black fur, a brown saddle, and a saddle blanket bearing the King’s regal emblem in pictures of the King and his new horse. The Royal Family’s Instagram page posted a picture of King Charles admiring the newest addition to his stables while petting the horse’s muzzle.

Instagram @theroyalfamily

DUBAI’S GRAND PRIX SHOWJUMPING WON BY TREVOR BREEN

Trevor Breen took first place in the 1.45m CSI2 Grand Prix standings in Dubai on March 12. Breen finished over a second quicker than Mohamed Shafi Mohamed AlRemeithi (UAE), who took second place, while riding the 12-year-old bay mare Germaine W, owned by Mandy Hall. With Salim Khamis Alsuwaidi, the home country also finished third. Since 2020, Germaine W and Cashel rider Breen have competed together and have achieved numerous top ten finishes abroad. www.tipperarylive.ie/news

MAHARANI GAYATRI DEVI: FASHION ICON & EQUINE LOVER

In the twentieth century, very few Indian women could have claimed to have held strong sway over the public, in India and abroad. Maharani Gayatri Devi happened to be one of them. She was uniquely positioned to wield influence in the socio-political circles of her times. But her popularity extended beyond the realm of stately affairs, most notably to the world of fashion. She was featured in Vogue magazine’s Ten Most Beautiful Women list.

Born in London (23 May 1919) to Prince Jitendra

Narayan of Cooch

Behar (presently located in West Bengal) and Princess Indira Raje, Gayatri Devi was destined to have a quintessential Indian royal upbringing. Her father was the younger brother to the Crown Prince of Cooch Behar, while her mother was a Maratha Princess, the only daughter of

the Maratha King, Maharaja

Sayajirao Gaekwad III. As a child born to the second in line to the throne, her life would have largely been uneventful if not for her uncle, Rajendra Narayan’s untimely death in 1913. Once her father ascended the throne, her

family came under the spotlight, with them being frequently written about.

A young Gayatri Devi was ardent about pursuing education, which led to her enrolling in schools in India and Europe. The then-

princess studied at Glendower Preparatory School in London, Patha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan, and later at Lausanne, Switzerland, wrapping up her academic career by fine-tuning her secretarial skills at the London School of Secretaries. Apart from academics, Princess Gayatri Devi nurtured several recreational activities. Most noteworthy was her flair for equestrian sporting. An accomplished equestrienne herself, along with her future husband, she was a lifelong patron of the

sport.

Princess Gayatri Devi first set her eyes on her future husband, Sawai Man Singh II, when the latter had come to Calcutta and stayed with her family. The soon-to-be King swept Gayatri Devi off her feet, leading to a whirlwind romance replete with clandestine meetings in private corners of the vast grounds of the palace in Cooch Behar, culminating with a marriage proposal while driving in Man Singh II’s Bentley. Despite resistance to the relationship from

several quarters including the princess’ mother, the pair married on 9 May 1940. At the time of their marriage, Man Singh II had already been married twice. His first two marriages were to brides chosen from the royal family of Jodhpur. And as was customary in Rajput royal households at the time, all his three wives lived in the same household together. The marriage produced one child, a son, Prince Jagat Singh, who later in his life was granted his paternal uncle’s fief of Isarda, Raja of Isarda, as a subsidiary title. Prince Jagat Singh had two children: Rajkumari Lalitya Kumari and Maharaj Devraj Singh, Raja of Isarda. Today, they are her only surviving descendants, and as such, have claimed to be heirs of their paternal grandmother.

HER LIFE IN INDEPENDENT INDIA

Maharaj Man Singh II continued to rule the princely state of Jaipur in the British Raj from 1922 to 1947. In 1948, after the state was absorbed into

independent India, he was granted certain privileges, along with the continued use of the title Maharaja of Jaipur by the newly formed Government of India. During this time, given the substantial reduction of her

former responsibilities, Gayatri Devi decided to forge a career in the Indian political scene. In 1962, she ran for Parliament and won the constituency in the Lok Sabha, in a campaign that saw the world’s largest

landslide victory, winning a stellar 192,909 votes out of 246,516 cast. She continued to hold this seat until 1971 as a member of the now defunct, classical-liberal Swatantra Party founded by C. Rajagopalachari.

Her personal political leaning often pitted her against the then-all-powerful Indian National Congress. She was also an outspoken critic of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who ordered her arrest during the Emergency on baseless allegations of having violated tax laws. A political prisoner, she served a five-month sentence in Tihar Jail, Delhi. In the late seventies, Maharani Gayatri Devi retired from politics and published her biography, A Princess Remembers in 1976. She thereafter slowly retreated from public life, living away from the media glare in her countryside estate, and spending much of her time with her grandchildren. She died at the age of 90 on 29 July 2009, succumbing to lung failure.

A STYLE ICON FOR THE AGES

It is believed that Gayatri Devi’s sense of style was deeply influenced by that of her mother’s and grandmother’s. The Maharani quotes both their advice on fashion in her memoir A Princess Remembers. One such piece of advice comes from her grandmother, which states: “Never wear emeralds with a green sari as I had, they look so much better with pink.” Writer Bethany Trepanier writes: “These lessons passed on by the women in her family contributed to Gayatri Devi’s immaculate taste that was reflected throughout her life.”

Gayatri Devi’s standard attire of soft pastel shade

chiffon saris paired with long-sleeved blouses, and a string of white pearls became a personification of traditional Indian elegance. Her minimal makeup complemented with a dash of carefully chosen shade of lipstick also accentuated her style statement.

Interestingly, fashion designer Sabyasachi created five limited-edition saris inspired by the Maharani for his Spring/Summer 2013 collection. As was preferred by the Maharani, he produced saris in shades of soft creams, pinks and blues using fine French fabrics such as organza, satin and tulle and paired them with satin blouses of ten-inch sleeves.

Trepanier writes,

‘Throughout the years, her style remained simple yet exquisitely intricate. She maintained a regal look without being covered in jewels. She was nonetheless particular about how she presented herself: hair coiffed to perfection in cascading waves, eyes minimally touched by mascara, lips accentuated by a deep red stain, and pearls adorning her long, elegant neck. No matter the number of years that passed, the Maharani remained an ageless beauty.’ Her flawless sense of taste will inspire legions of women in generations to come.