(December 17, 2024) It is early afternoon, and the royal scion Maharaj Kumar Sahib Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Ji Mewar of Udaipur walks in briskly, radiating energy and fresh off a round of meetings. Born into the illustrious Mewar royal family with a legacy stretching back 1,500 years (and with the illustrious Maharana Sanga and Maharana Pratap as ancestors), the first thing one notices about him is how comfortable he is in any setting—be it a ballroom in London or playing cricket with his childhood friends in Udaipur!
Multiple Guinness World Record holder, inspirational TEDx speaker, and a philosopher, his biggest achievement has been safeguarding and powering the cultural legacy of Udaipur ahead. The City Palace at Udaipur remains a hallmark for conservation/restoration and a sustainable model for how museums can be run. Through his relentless dedication, it remains a global destination for weddings, luxury, and art. It is his universal outlook that makes him a true Global Indian.
Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar
A royal childhood
“Growing up in the palace was a unique experience,” he reflects. “There was space—literal and metaphorical—that most children could only dream of. I am very blessed and fortunate to have expansive grounds to play in and an environment that nurtured curiosity and personal growth.”
His upbringing, while steeped in grandeur, was remarkably grounded. His parents, as he fondly recalls, were ‘walking, talking books’ who imparted wisdom through example rather than instruction. Cooking with family was a cherished memory. “My dad would be sitting, and the pot needed to be stirred. So you would be that machine that would stir the pot. But you didn’t realize at that point that these were ways of instilling qualities and interests within you—adding masalas, stirring, lifting things.”
His father (the formidable Shriji Arvind Singh ji Mewar of Udaipur) instilled discipline and introduced him to hobbies that would shape his multifaceted personality. “Aero modeling was something I really enjoyed,” Lakshyaraj shares. “My father was a radio-controlled flyer who graduated to flying real aircraft. I inherited some of his models, and these experiences taught me about hard work, discipline, and the joy of creation.”
His mother (Princess Vijayaraj Kumari of Kutch) brought a different dimension to his upbringing. “She taught us to be kind, to be rooted, to be spiritual,” he says. “She emphasized that the greatest things in life don’t need external embellishments. The most profound lessons were about understanding that life is about continuous improvement, not about proving something to others.”
“The idea is never to prove, but to improve,” he reflects, encapsulating the values imbued in him during those formative years. It reflects in his deeply holistic approach towards life—he is equally dedicated to designing modern hotel amenities or showcasing 500-year-old Mewar paintings.
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The Australian Odyssey
At 18, Lakshyaraj Singh’s royal journey took him to Australia, where he pursued a degree in tourism and hospitality management. However, the most transformative aspect of this experience was not academic but cultural. “There were over 35 nationalities on our campus,” he recalls with nostalgia. “The greatest learning wasn’t about technical skills like cooking temperatures or sauce ingredients. It was about cultural integration, understanding perspectives, and respecting differences.”
This period was a profound lesson in global citizenship. “You learn how the same event can be viewed through multiple lenses,” he explains. “Everybody has different opinions about the same thing, often with remarkable conviction. This allows you to think, to grow. I learned there that the idea is not to go through life but to grow through life.”
The anonymity of being one among many did not faze him. “Anonymity or being known makes no difference to me,” he states. “Success, perceptions, baggage—these are reflections of others, not me. I choose to respond, not react.”
Back to his roots
Returning to Udaipur at 22, he immersed himself in the family business. Initially overwhelmed, he spent years understanding the intricacies of an institution built over generations. His early responsibilities ranged from hospitality to cultural initiatives, all central to the family’s commitment to uphold Mewar’s legacy.
“For the longest time, I was running from pillar to post like a headless chicken,” he admits. “It took me a good year or two to settle down, to understand, to absorb, to feel, and to identify the intricate workings of an institution that had been running for generations.”
His interests are wonderfully diverse—ranging from Ragamala paintings and die-cast model collecting to playing tabla and exploring Sufi poetry. “I’m not a person confined to one genre,” he explains. “Whether it’s hospitality, art, technology, or cultural activities, I find inspiration in multiple domains.”
Central to his worldview is what he calls the “GGGN” formula—the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number. “Whatever you do in life should be for the greatest good,” he elaborates. “First, ensure your actions benefit the collective. Then, have the ambition—the healthy greed—to expand that benefit to the maximum number of people possible.”
It is this philosophy that has guided him over the years. To ensure that the same attention is given to running a school as to ensuring that new facets of Mewar’s life (like the recently opened arms and armory section of the museum) are showcased to the public.
This belief also extends to his approach to challenges and success and keeps him grounded during the ebb and flow of life’s ups and downs. “Life is a constant challenge,” he says. “But more importantly, people today struggle to handle success. Everyone performs well in failure, but success often brings out the worst in people. The real test is how you behave when you’re at the pinnacle.”
Legacy and continuous learning
As a representative of Indian royalty in today’s time, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar sees his role as a cultural ambassador. “It’s the duty of every Indian to represent our culture, both within the country and abroad,” he states. “Our task is to make traditions relevant in the 21st century and set the right example for future generations.”
This ethos drives initiatives like restoring heritage sites, promoting sustainable tourism, and engaging with the local community. His efforts aim to keep Mewar’s legacy not just alive but thriving. Perhaps most inspiring is his commitment to lifelong learning. Despite once hating academics, he’s now pursuing a PhD in stress management. “Things change, and that’s the beauty of life,” he reflects. “Keep improving yourself; keep getting educated. Learn, grow, and remain open to possibilities.”
It is this evolution that helps him marvel at the palaces, sculptures, and textiles that define Mewar’s artistic living heritage while at the same time indulging in activities that interest him, like recreating traditional Rajasthani recipes.
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A royal perspective
Looking back with gratitude, Lakshyaraj Singh states, “Every day I am thankful to God for giving me the family that he has and where I have been born. And every day I pray that I am worthy, and I kind of do the work that is expected of me, for 1500 years that the work that the family has done.”
Beyond his public work, the royal is an accomplished artist, chef, photographer, and aeromodelling enthusiast. He is a collector of die cast car models and formulated a unique perfume that represents the house of Mewar with its fragrance and ingredients.
His vision for the future revolves around sharing Mewar’s rich heritage with the world. From museums and cultural events to academic pursuits, he embodies a new archetype of royalty that sees immense potential to inspire and educate. “There is no greater joy than sharing your culture and traditions,” he says.
As he balances his roles as a father, a cultural custodian, and a modern entrepreneur, the royal scion remains rooted in his core philosophy: to grow through life while staying true to the legacy he represents. For him, the journey is as significant as the destination—an enduring testament to the timeless spirit of Mewar.
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