His face lights up with dimples when he greets his guests. His eyes glow when he shows off his jeep collection. His chest swells when he speaks of his lineage. But it’s music that makes his heart beat. Abhimanyu Alsisar, the scion of the royalty of Alsisar in Rajasthan is the proud co-organiser of the annual electronic festival Magnetic Fields held at his heritage hotel Alsisar Mahal. In its fourth edition, the festival saw a footfall of 3,000 people this year, which is quite a high number for a hipster festival. Much like the repurposing of the many heritage forts and palaces in Rajasthan, the Alsisar Mahal has also been refurbished into a hotel. But the prince wanted to do something more than just convert this palace into a rented living space. Watch what happens at the Magnetic Fields Music Festival, Alsisar “There are a lot of people who own palaces in India and all around the world but there’s a saying in Hindi, Ghar ke andar ruh sangeet se aati hai (Music adds soul to your house),” says Abhimanyu. It is this sentiment that led to the birth of the Magnetic Fields Festival. Abhimanyu dreams of becoming one of the best patrons of music produced in India, and is raring to go beyond the Magnetic Fields festival to achieve that. Stages for music performances at all his properties, a recording studio for aspiring musicians and the Ranthambore Festival for music and nature conservation are all on his lengthy agenda. Well, he’s one cool prince, and indianexpress.com caught up with him on the sidelines of the music festival to get up, close and personal. Watch the Take 10 video here. Favourite music genre? Sufi Favorite sport? Hockey Best thing about being a Rajput? Get to work for my people Crazy thing about being royalty? Got a chance to hold Magnetic Fields (music festival) at my home. Watch an interview with artiste Sarathy Korwar Preferred fashion brand? All my clothes are hand-stitched. I don’t wear anything that is not stitched for me. I only wear custom-made shoes. I have a shoe maker who makes my shoes in Pune Favorite car? Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Most expensive thing you own? My jeep collection Favourite holiday destination? Croatia Favourite music festival other than Magnetic Fields? The Burning Man. It’s my dream to go. I am going to go with my entourage, take my tent from here and put up a tent area there, have my Manganiar singers to perform for me there and enjoy the whole festival. So, I am waiting, saving a lot of money for it! Life philosophy? Enjoy yourself and make people enjoy. Don’t fight! Peace!
