She had been named one of the ten most beautiful women in the world by TIME magazine but that was not when I saw her. I saw her when her elegantly coiffed hair was a helmet of silver, those doe eyes had got hooded over with folds of skin, her porcelain skin had wrinkled gently into comfort and spotted with unforgiving years, but vestiges of the beauty were evident to everyone in the crowded venue at the five star hotel in Mumbai where the royalty of Rajasthan and the rest of India had gathered for an event. I was there, of course, in my capacity as a lowly hack sent to cover the event. I could only stare at her open mouthed. She outshone every single woman in the room, without a fringe of a doubt. And it was not just beauty. It was her presence. She was in a pale pink chiffon with a single strand of pearls, and she outshone every loaded to the gills with jewellery socialite flitting around. Her back was ramrod straight. Her tilting of her chin imperious, yet not arrogant. Her gaze direct and unwavering. It was the gaze of a woman who had lived her life to the fullest, who was aware of her beauty and the effect it had on the onlooker and was unapologetic about it. It was the kind of self assurance that us lesser folk could never even imagine having. It was the kind of assurance that made this, then 24 year old woman squirm and feel totally inadequate, like a gawky teenager straight from the village. But she was gracious with me. A little sharp with those who hovered around too much for her liking or those who asked inane questions. The regality came from within, it didn’t depend on externals of clothing and jewellery, though those too, were understated but impeccable. Her passing is the passing of an era, one feels the same sort of indescribable vacuum one felt when Lady Diana passed away, the feeling that something truly beautiful has gone away and the earth is that much lesser a place for the loss. Here is wishing her a peaceful afterlife.
when I grow old I want to grow old like her…what elegance..what an aura!!!
LikeLike
Leela Naidu and Gayatri Devi gone in two days. The world has lost two gracious women.
LikeLike
Elegance unparalleled! Nice tribute piece…
LikeLike
She to me was elegance and grace personified …RIP
LikeLike
She is so elegant…
Rest in Peace…
LikeLike
Nice. Just look at her bone structure, she’s really beautiful! I envy your job !
LikeLike
Hey! A very beautiful tribute to the most beautiful woman!
May she rest in peace.
PS: You may like to check my tribute to the Rajmata @ http://shilpaagarg.blogspot.com/2009/07/tribute-to-maharani.html
LikeLike
A majestic woman with very vivid persona.Was involved in various facets right from helping the cause of poor to help tourism,wild life,restoration of culture and heritage to never ending love for various sports with keen in golf and polo.The world has lost a rare beauty.
LikeLike
A lovely tribute to an equally lovely lady..ouside and insi”A princess remembers” captures the true essence of her spirit..great read!!!
LikeLike
@all: May her soul rest in peace.
LikeLike
She was so elegant and beautiful.
LikeLike