Radhikaraje Gaekwad

A Masters in medieval Indian history, Radhikaraje worked as a journalist with the Indian Express, New Delhi, prior to moving to Vadodara. Married into the royal Gaekwad family, she is now actively involved in running one of the largest private residences in the world along with family trusts such as the Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalaya, imparting vocational training to lower income women and the Maharaja Fatehsinh Museum Trust, housing some of the most acclaimed works of Raja Ravi Varma amongst others. She is also patron of the Heritage Trust, an independent organisation instrumental in bringing the monumental complex of Champaner on the World Heritage Sites list and is actively involved in preventing the city’s heritage structures from being obliterated. Radhikaraje is currently also working on the documentation of the Lukshmi Vilas Palace and it’s priceless possessions. Radhikaraje has been researching and archiving the rich history and culture of royal india and has presented her research on prestigious platforms such as Saffronart and Robb Report and India Today Conclave. She is also reviving the lost old weaving techniques of Chanderi and Baroda Shalu – an intrinsic aspect of royal Maratha sartorial traditions. Radhikaraje is director of CDS Art Foundation, Ahmedabad, where she works in aligning artisans with designers and bridging gaps with the end consumer. To raise awareness and funds for her charities, Radhikaraje organised the Palace Heritage Garba, a nine day traditional dance festival. The event saw a congregation of over 25,000 people everyday and was even conferred the Best Garba of Vadodara, 2019 award. Through the Covid 19 pandemic, Radhikaraje alongside her sister, has been able to reach out and aid over 600 artisanal families in Orissa. For this she has also been conferred the HDFC Bank Philanthropist award. She continues her love for writing by regularly contributing to leading dailies and magazines. Radhikaraje is an avid traveler, visiting over 50 countries for wildlife, history and wine! She is perhaps the only Indian woman to do the polar dip in Antarctica!