Newest addition to Jaipur’s cultural sphere, Polo Palladio is nothing short of a museum

A stroll at the club in the 1920s, and you could have spotted (if you were lucky enough) RR Hanut Singh, Abhey Singhji, or even HH Maharaja Sawai Man Singhji, for that matter. These historic walls have witnessed countless celebrations of victory. Now, it was time to infuse this place with a new jewel — a space to relax and make memories. And with the address being the Rajasthan Polo Club (earlier known as Jaipur Polo Club) in Jaipur, the transformation had to be bold and distinctive. Joining the “Palladios” of Jaipur, Barbara Miolini returns, this time with Polo Palladio — an homage to the sport and its deep connections with the state. Miolini enlisted her longtime collaborator, Dutch designer Marie-Anne Oudejans, to craft the interiors of the space.

Not your usual club

When in Jaipur, masculinity is never just in the shades of black and white, but a bit of brown, yellow, red and every other colour imaginable. The interior of the space is appropriately adorned with sunshine yellow, emerald green and deep maroon. This lively mix of colours is visible throughout, from the decorated walls with stripes and chevrons to the striking frescoed ceilings and the intricate checkerboard pattern on the floor made of ochre, white and black marble inlay.

Sofas covered in bright green and yellow stripes, cushions with Mughal flower design typical to Pallaidos, and china embellished with a scalloped yellow and gold illustration all make it perfect for a dinner date after an exhausting match.

Rich wood paneling decorates the walls, showcasing Oudejan’s signature hand-painted murals.  Oil-painted foliage, including yellow acacia, palm, banana and frangipani, adds a lively touch to the interior. Every visual aspect is carefully considered, from the wooden scallops on the tables to the embroidery on the linens, all drifting towards maximalism.

In contrast to conventional colonial clubs, the staff dons a uniform inspired by the Raj era, featuring a distinctive teal hue. “We wanted to create a traditional club with an exotic masculine timeless feeling — a Palladio twist,” says Marie Anne Oudejans.

Here for a lot more than just food…

Polo Palladio’s four strategically appointed rooms — comprising two dining areas, a lounge and an intimate private dining space with French doors opening onto the garden and polo field — house a carefully curated assortment of historical artifacts. This collection, which chronicles the Rajasthan Polo Club’s century-long legacy, includes sterling silver trophies, antique photographs and an oil portrait of H.H. Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II sourced from the Jaipur Royal Family’s archives.

Also featured are letters from Buckingham Palace and the Queen, vintage polo mallets, an oil painting of H.H. Sawai Bhawani Singh and candid snapshots of Princess Diana. Not to mention, H. H. Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh’s (fondly known as Pacho) horses alongside trompe l’oeil polo trophies and mallets — all hand-painted in oil paint.

Here, each piece of memorabilia reflects the club’s storied past, calling for a museum-like setting that guides one through all significant moments in Rajasthan polo.

FACT FILE:

Project Name: Polo Palladio

Location: Jaipur

Designer- Marie-Anne Oudejans

Photographs by Atul Pratap Chauhan