back in time
R
back in time
Clockwise from top: Muzaffar Ali’s father, Raja Syed Sajid Husain with his first wife Princess Selma of Turkey; royal portrait of Sajid Husain at Kotwara; Sajid Husain at Scotland; an artefact from the family home.
ajah Muzaffar Ali dons many a hat, along with his better half Meera Ali. Muzaffar, known for his prowess behind filmmaking (amongst other things) met Meera when he cast her in a role, and the rest as they say is history. Now from being popular culture magnates to social change-makers, this present day royal family from Kotwara—at the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh—absolutely epitomise stately elegance. Together with their daughter Sama, son Murad, and his wife Arshi, the Alis painted a beautiful picture at their Lucknow home. And yet Meera is quick to point out that “the essence of royalty is elegant opulence, not garish depiction of the same. And to be elegant one must choose to be understated”. Muzaffar reiterates this.“It is something that is coveted, yet not accepted because of its diverse compromising roles played in history. I see it in just two ways. It invariably upheld composite culture and its sensitivity to arts and craft, and therefore to the artisan and the artist,” he explains. Case in point, everything centres around this. “To me, this becomes a huge responsibility that is of enormous relevance to our nation in this day and age. And therefore all my films and our romance align with the Kotwara concept of perpetuating beauty and humanism,” he elaborates. Setting this tone, Meera takes us back to the days of her own wedding, when conservatism ruled much of the atmosphere. “Unfortunately, when we got married, inter caste marriages were not very popular and my family took two years to get used to the idea. In fact, it was only after our daughter Sama was born that things really settled down,” she recalls. And did she know for sure that he was the right one? “My mother actually pointed out that I knew Muzaffar only for six weeks. How could I be so sure? Well what could I say, except that I just knew it was…His was a very different world. His father was an aristocrat but an intellectual who fought the first Indian election. Muzaffar is a filmmaker, an artist, and very involved with poetry. Maybe my background as an architect, our common appreciation of aesthetics and most importantly, our desire to create beauty together are the factors that tie us together,” she smiles. Sama resonates her mother’s unassuming nature. “My lifestyle in Kotwara was far removed from what one would normally expect from a child of a princely house. I spent most of my childhood playing and prancing around with local Kotwara children. My parents never let me think that privilege existed. I would like to think that I am grounded and have a solid grass-root connection due to my exposure to rural life,” she adds. And this second-generation fashion designer from the house shows just as much passion for her work. “I love the whole design process—from research and illustrations to making them all come alive.” And naturally, when questioned about her thoughts on weddings, she is quick to point out. “Being from a culture of couture fashion, be it the royalty angle, or being the daughter of couturiers, weddings for me are all about the clothes.The best bride is a timeless, ageless bride!” she concludes. ■
THIS PAGE: All clothing, Kotwara by Meera & Muzaffar Ali. Brooch, Gyan, Jaipur set with Gemfields Mozambican rubies. OPPOSITE PAGE On Sama: All clothing, Kotwara by Meera & Muzaffar Ali. Necklace, earrings, and hathphool, Gem Plaza, Jaipur set with Gemfields Zambian emeralds. See Where to Buy for shopping details. Hair and makeup: Mehak Oberoi; fashion intern: Aparajita Bose.
back in time
Clockwise from top: Muzaffar Ali’s father, Raja Syed Sajid Husain with his first wife Princess Selma of Turkey; royal portrait of Sajid Husain at Kotwara; Sajid Husain at Scotland; an artefact from the family home.
ajah Muzaffar Ali dons many a hat, along with his better half Meera Ali. Muzaffar, known for his prowess behind filmmaking (amongst other things) met Meera when he cast her in a role, and the rest as they say is history. Now from being popular culture magnates to social change-makers, this present day royal family from Kotwara—at the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh—absolutely epitomise stately elegance. Together with their daughter Sama, son Murad, and his wife Arshi, the Alis painted a beautiful picture at their Lucknow home. And yet Meera is quick to point out that “the essence of royalty is elegant opulence, not garish depiction of the same. And to be elegant one must choose to be understated”. Muzaffar reiterates this.“It is something that is coveted, yet not accepted because of its diverse compromising roles played in history. I see it in just two ways. It invariably upheld composite culture and its sensitivity to arts and craft, and therefore to the artisan and the artist,” he explains. Case in point, everything centres around this. “To me, this becomes a huge responsibility that is of enormous relevance to our nation in this day and age. And therefore all my films and our romance align with the Kotwara concept of perpetuating beauty and humanism,” he elaborates. Setting this tone, Meera takes us back to the days of her own wedding, when conservatism ruled much of the atmosphere. “Unfortunately, when we got married, inter caste marriages were not very popular and my family took two years to get used to the idea. In fact, it was only after our daughter Sama was born that things really settled down,” she recalls. And did she know for sure that he was the right one? “My mother actually pointed out that I knew Muzaffar only for six weeks. How could I be so sure? Well what could I say, except that I just knew it was…His was a very different world. His father was an aristocrat but an intellectual who fought the first Indian election. Muzaffar is a filmmaker, an artist, and very involved with poetry. Maybe my background as an architect, our common appreciation of aesthetics and most importantly, our desire to create beauty together are the factors that tie us together,” she smiles. Sama resonates her mother’s unassuming nature. “My lifestyle in Kotwara was far removed from what one would normally expect from a child of a princely house. I spent most of my childhood playing and prancing around with local Kotwara children. My parents never let me think that privilege existed. I would like to think that I am grounded and have a solid grass-root connection due to my exposure to rural life,” she adds. And this second-generation fashion designer from the house shows just as much passion for her work. “I love the whole design process—from research and illustrations to making them all come alive.” And naturally, when questioned about her thoughts on weddings, she is quick to point out. “Being from a culture of couture fashion, be it the royalty angle, or being the daughter of couturiers, weddings for me are all about the clothes.The best bride is a timeless, ageless bride!” she concludes. ■
THIS PAGE: All clothing, Kotwara by Meera & Muzaffar Ali. Brooch, Gyan, Jaipur set with Gemfields Mozambican rubies. OPPOSITE PAGE On Sama: All clothing, Kotwara by Meera & Muzaffar Ali. Necklace, earrings, and hathphool, Gem Plaza, Jaipur set with Gemfields Zambian emeralds. See Where to Buy for shopping details. Hair and makeup: Mehak Oberoi; fashion intern: Aparajita Bose.
