Jaipur, the most vibrant city of Rajasthan is a cradle of Indian gems and jewellery trade. One of the jewellers who have played a pivotal part in laying the corner stone of this tradition is Prakash Surana of Bhuramal Rajmal Surana(MFRS). Spending more than 50 years in the lustrous industry, he tells Priyanka Desai about his journey, his allure to the industry, his interests and his hobbies. Read on to know more about the personal side of this business trailblazer. %% The effervescent city of Jaipur is a hub of jewellery and gemstones trade in India. To say that either side of each street here is bejeweled by a jewellery store will be a gross understatement. But, amongst the thousands of jewellery stores that make Jaipur the regal and beautiful city is the one store that incepted the tradition of jewellery making in Jaipur and stands tall even today. That store is Bhuramal Rajmal Surana (MFRS). This brand needs no introduction. Anyone who has spent a little time in Jaipur’s jewellery industry has heard about this popular brand. But, we bring you the man behind this huge name who has spent more than half a century making this brand what it is today. Prakash Surana, lovingly known, as Prakash ji is a man of few words but the first thing that strikes one about him is his modesty. A simple man, a believer, an achiever and a family man are just some of the word that best describe Prakash ji. %% When quizzed about his family’s foray into the royal city of Jaipur, Prakash ji seems to reminisce about his family’s rich history and articulates, “The royal patronage of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur, was instrumental in inviting our family of Surana family in 1735 from Delhi to promote the intricate art of handcrafted gold, enamel, kundan, diamond and precious stone jewellery. Two and a half centuries of experience, fine craftsmanship and customer satisfaction have been the key factors in making us the pioneers in the art of Jadau. There was time that art of kundan meenakari work was dying but we revived it and brought it back in fashion due to which thousands of craftsmen are employed now. This is a very special feeling to me.”%% One may think that Prakash ji was always allured to the gleaming gems and precious metals but he corrects us and sharesthat he once aspired to become an engineer but as he could not get through the course, he started helping his father in the jewellery store. “I wanted to become an engineer and was not really involved in business in my teenage years but as I could not get through the engineering course, I started visiting my family’s jewellery store. It was at the age of 20 that I was completely involved in the jewellery business. I used to be at the store and see my father dealing with very interesting people like the royal family, Bollywood celebrities, etc. People whom one could not meet under normal circumstances were regular patrons at our store. That’s when I decided that I will continue to be in the jewllery trade as meeting new and prominent people and learning from them was a huge benefit,” he shares.%% Born in 1939, Prakash ji has literally seen the Indian jewellery industry take its baby steps and become a world leader in the past 50 years. Coincidentally, Prakash ji too entered this lustrous industry around 50 years ago. Growing from strength to strength and achieving great feats, Prakash ji has ensured that the modernity does not dissolve the basic ethos of Bhuramal Rajmal Surana (MFRS) that is trust and honesty with their patrons. When asked the secret behind his energy and his inspiration that keeps him working even at the age of 73, Prakashji is nostalgic and says, “My father is my biggest inspiration in life. He was very strict and disciplined in his business ways and I have inculcated that from him. If one is disciplined, it is very easy to achieve your aims and work comfortably for a very long time.”%%

When asked about his friends who have played an important part in shaping him as a person, he promptly tells us about his dear friend who was like his elder brother and taught him the good way of life. “My best friend, RaghujiSinha was like my elder brother. He was elder to me by 10 to 15 years and I have learnt a lot from him. He had a very healthy and peaceful lifestyle. He was very positive and his nature was extremely helpful. He was a very jovial person and being around him was always a boost of positive energy for me. Unfortunately, he is no more now but his memories with me are very precious.” %% Sharing more about the people in his life who have played a very vital role in shaping him, he talks about his wife, Shobha Surana. “I married Shobha in the year of 1962 and I am very lucky to have her. She is my constant support and is always by myside. She has given me four beautiful children, two daughters who are happily married and two sons, Chandra kumar and Pracheer who are my pillars of strength and have taken business to newer heights,” he shares with a smile. %% It is quite evident from the conversation that Prakashji is a complete people’s person and loves to have his close ones around. Apart from spending time with his family and flourishing his jewellery business we tried to probe into Prakashji’s interests and hobbies. And, we were pleasantly surprised to know that he was an avid horse rider and loved his horse riding with his group of friends. He has been a horse rider for more than 50 years and stopped with his usual daily rounds just last year. “I love horses and had quite a few horses at our stable but now due to the age factor I have stopped horse riding and now I have just one horse. His name is Pankaj, he is very old too but my grandson still rides him once in a while. Pankaj, is a part of our family and will remain with us till the end,” he says lovingly. Apart from horse riding he enjoys watching Polo matches too. He is the Executive General of Rajasthan Polo Club. %% It is not just the sports that interest Prakashji. He is an avid lover of Indian classical music as well. “Music is my lifetime passion and I will continue with it forever. My friends and I created a music society called ‘Shruti Mandal’ in 1962. This society organises classical Indian music programmes every month. I am proud to mention that every big artiste has come to Jaipur and has performed at Shruti Mandal be it Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Kumar Gandhrava, Pandit Ravi Shankar, etc. I have a huge collection of vintage records and I hope to make a library of vintage records after my retirement. Though I cannot sing or play any instrument, I have a very good understanding and knowledge of the Indian classical ragas,” he exclaims. %% When quizzed about his favourite holiday destinations, it is again quite patent that Prakashji is a complete family man and his every interest revolves around his family. His favourite holiday destination is Dhamangaon, a small village in Maharashtra. This village is his wife’s native place and he enjoys spending his time there. “I like the countryside and Dhamangaon is one of my favourites. I am very close to my in laws and spending time with them is always a pleasure. I have also been to Kashmir twice and that too is one of my favourite holiday destinations,” he articulates. A man with a simple taste and high values, his favourite cuisine is also made of simple homemade dishes and filled with high nutrients. Dal Batti and Bajrekakhichda are his favourite food dishes and he loves it even more when his wife cooks them for him. %%

With more than 50 years in the industry, we inquired if he now feels tired of his work and if he would retire soon and pat comes the reply, “No. Not, at all. Being at the store, being a part of this wonderful industry, meeting new people everyday and learning new things every moment is what keeps me fit and healthy. I will continue working with the same zeal and zest as when I was 20 years old.” %% People like Prakashji Surana and likes are an example of strength in the Indian gems and jewellery industry who have given more than half of a century to the trade to make it what it is today. A true hero who spells modesty, humility, perseverance and will power, Prakasji Surana is undoubtedly a sparkling gem. %%

Jaipur, the most vibrant city of Rajasthan is a cradle of Indian gems and jewellery trade. One of the jewellers who have played a pivotal part in laying the corner stone of this tradition is Prakash Surana of Bhuramal Rajmal Surana(MFRS). Spending more than 50 years in the lustrous industry, he tells Priyanka Desai about his journey, his allure to the industry, his interests and his hobbies. Read on to know more about the personal side of this business trailblazer. %% The effervescent city of Jaipur is a hub of jewellery and gemstones trade in India. To say that either side of each street here is bejeweled by a jewellery store will be a gross understatement. But, amongst the thousands of jewellery stores that make Jaipur the regal and beautiful city is the one store that incepted the tradition of jewellery making in Jaipur and stands tall even today. That store is Bhuramal Rajmal Surana (MFRS). This brand needs no introduction. Anyone who has spent a little time in Jaipur’s jewellery industry has heard about this popular brand. But, we bring you the man behind this huge name who has spent more than half a century making this brand what it is today. Prakash Surana, lovingly known, as Prakash ji is a man of few words but the first thing that strikes one about him is his modesty. A simple man, a believer, an achiever and a family man are just some of the word that best describe Prakash ji. %% When quizzed about his family’s foray into the royal city of Jaipur, Prakash ji seems to reminisce about his family’s rich history and articulates, “The royal patronage of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur, was instrumental in inviting our family of Surana family in 1735 from Delhi to promote the intricate art of handcrafted gold, enamel, kundan, diamond and precious stone jewellery. Two and a half centuries of experience, fine craftsmanship and customer satisfaction have been the key factors in making us the pioneers in the art of Jadau. There was time that art of kundan meenakari work was dying but we revived it and brought it back in fashion due to which thousands of craftsmen are employed now. This is a very special feeling to me.”%% One may think that Prakash ji was always allured to the gleaming gems and precious metals but he corrects us and sharesthat he once aspired to become an engineer but as he could not get through the course, he started helping his father in the jewellery store. “I wanted to become an engineer and was not really involved in business in my teenage years but as I could not get through the engineering course, I started visiting my family’s jewellery store. It was at the age of 20 that I was completely involved in the jewellery business. I used to be at the store and see my father dealing with very interesting people like the royal family, Bollywood celebrities, etc. People whom one could not meet under normal circumstances were regular patrons at our store. That’s when I decided that I will continue to be in the jewllery trade as meeting new and prominent people and learning from them was a huge benefit,” he shares.%% Born in 1939, Prakash ji has literally seen the Indian jewellery industry take its baby steps and become a world leader in the past 50 years. Coincidentally, Prakash ji too entered this lustrous industry around 50 years ago. Growing from strength to strength and achieving great feats, Prakash ji has ensured that the modernity does not dissolve the basic ethos of Bhuramal Rajmal Surana (MFRS) that is trust and honesty with their patrons. When asked the secret behind his energy and his inspiration that keeps him working even at the age of 73, Prakashji is nostalgic and says, “My father is my biggest inspiration in life. He was very strict and disciplined in his business ways and I have inculcated that from him. If one is disciplined, it is very easy to achieve your aims and work comfortably for a very long time.”%%

When asked about his friends who have played an important part in shaping him as a person, he promptly tells us about his dear friend who was like his elder brother and taught him the good way of life. “My best friend, RaghujiSinha was like my elder brother. He was elder to me by 10 to 15 years and I have learnt a lot from him. He had a very healthy and peaceful lifestyle. He was very positive and his nature was extremely helpful. He was a very jovial person and being around him was always a boost of positive energy for me. Unfortunately, he is no more now but his memories with me are very precious.” %% Sharing more about the people in his life who have played a very vital role in shaping him, he talks about his wife, Shobha Surana. “I married Shobha in the year of 1962 and I am very lucky to have her. She is my constant support and is always by myside. She has given me four beautiful children, two daughters who are happily married and two sons, Chandra kumar and Pracheer who are my pillars of strength and have taken business to newer heights,” he shares with a smile. %% It is quite evident from the conversation that Prakashji is a complete people’s person and loves to have his close ones around. Apart from spending time with his family and flourishing his jewellery business we tried to probe into Prakashji’s interests and hobbies. And, we were pleasantly surprised to know that he was an avid horse rider and loved his horse riding with his group of friends. He has been a horse rider for more than 50 years and stopped with his usual daily rounds just last year. “I love horses and had quite a few horses at our stable but now due to the age factor I have stopped horse riding and now I have just one horse. His name is Pankaj, he is very old too but my grandson still rides him once in a while. Pankaj, is a part of our family and will remain with us till the end,” he says lovingly. Apart from horse riding he enjoys watching Polo matches too. He is the Executive General of Rajasthan Polo Club. %% It is not just the sports that interest Prakashji. He is an avid lover of Indian classical music as well. “Music is my lifetime passion and I will continue with it forever. My friends and I created a music society called ‘Shruti Mandal’ in 1962. This society organises classical Indian music programmes every month. I am proud to mention that every big artiste has come to Jaipur and has performed at Shruti Mandal be it Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Kumar Gandhrava, Pandit Ravi Shankar, etc. I have a huge collection of vintage records and I hope to make a library of vintage records after my retirement. Though I cannot sing or play any instrument, I have a very good understanding and knowledge of the Indian classical ragas,” he exclaims. %% When quizzed about his favourite holiday destinations, it is again quite patent that Prakashji is a complete family man and his every interest revolves around his family. His favourite holiday destination is Dhamangaon, a small village in Maharashtra. This village is his wife’s native place and he enjoys spending his time there. “I like the countryside and Dhamangaon is one of my favourites. I am very close to my in laws and spending time with them is always a pleasure. I have also been to Kashmir twice and that too is one of my favourite holiday destinations,” he articulates. A man with a simple taste and high values, his favourite cuisine is also made of simple homemade dishes and filled with high nutrients. Dal Batti and Bajrekakhichda are his favourite food dishes and he loves it even more when his wife cooks them for him. %%

With more than 50 years in the industry, we inquired if he now feels tired of his work and if he would retire soon and pat comes the reply, “No. Not, at all. Being at the store, being a part of this wonderful industry, meeting new people everyday and learning new things every moment is what keeps me fit and healthy. I will continue working with the same zeal and zest as when I was 20 years old.” %% People like Prakashji Surana and likes are an example of strength in the Indian gems and jewellery industry who have given more than half of a century to the trade to make it what it is today. A true hero who spells modesty, humility, perseverance and will power, Prakasji Surana is undoubtedly a sparkling gem. %%

Jaipur, the most vibrant city of Rajasthan is a cradle of Indian gems and jewellery trade. One of the jewellers who have played a pivotal part in laying the corner stone of this tradition is Prakash Surana of Bhuramal Rajmal Surana(MFRS). Spending more than 50 years in the lustrous industry, he tells Priyanka Desai about his journey, his allure to the industry, his interests and his hobbies. Read on to know more about the personal side of this business trailblazer. %% The effervescent city of Jaipur is a hub of jewellery and gemstones trade in India. To say that either side of each street here is bejeweled by a jewellery store will be a gross understatement. But, amongst the thousands of jewellery stores that make Jaipur the regal and beautiful city is the one store that incepted the tradition of jewellery making in Jaipur and stands tall even today. That store is Bhuramal Rajmal Surana (MFRS). This brand needs no introduction. Anyone who has spent a little time in Jaipur’s jewellery industry has heard about this popular brand. But, we bring you the man behind this huge name who has spent more than half a century making this brand what it is today. Prakash Surana, lovingly known, as Prakash ji is a man of few words but the first thing that strikes one about him is his modesty. A simple man, a believer, an achiever and a family man are just some of the word that best describe Prakash ji. %% When quizzed about his family’s foray into the royal city of Jaipur, Prakash ji seems to reminisce about his family’s rich history and articulates, “The royal patronage of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, founder of Jaipur, was instrumental in inviting our family of Surana family in 1735 from Delhi to promote the intricate art of handcrafted gold, enamel, kundan, diamond and precious stone jewellery. Two and a half centuries of experience, fine craftsmanship and customer satisfaction have been the key factors in making us the pioneers in the art of Jadau. There was time that art of kundan meenakari work was dying but we revived it and brought it back in fashion due to which thousands of craftsmen are employed now. This is a very special feeling to me.”%% One may think that Prakash ji was always allured to the gleaming gems and precious metals but he corrects us and sharesthat he once aspired to become an engineer but as he could not get through the course, he started helping his father in the jewellery store. “I wanted to become an engineer and was not really involved in business in my teenage years but as I could not get through the engineering course, I started visiting my family’s jewellery store. It was at the age of 20 that I was completely involved in the jewellery business. I used to be at the store and see my father dealing with very interesting people like the royal family, Bollywood celebrities, etc. People whom one could not meet under normal circumstances were regular patrons at our store. That’s when I decided that I will continue to be in the jewllery trade as meeting new and prominent people and learning from them was a huge benefit,” he shares.%% Born in 1939, Prakash ji has literally seen the Indian jewellery industry take its baby steps and become a world leader in the past 50 years. Coincidentally, Prakash ji too entered this lustrous industry around 50 years ago. Growing from strength to strength and achieving great feats, Prakash ji has ensured that the modernity does not dissolve the basic ethos of Bhuramal Rajmal Surana (MFRS) that is trust and honesty with their patrons. When asked the secret behind his energy and his inspiration that keeps him working even at the age of 73, Prakashji is nostalgic and says, “My father is my biggest inspiration in life. He was very strict and disciplined in his business ways and I have inculcated that from him. If one is disciplined, it is very easy to achieve your aims and work comfortably for a very long time.”%%

When asked about his friends who have played an important part in shaping him as a person, he promptly tells us about his dear friend who was like his elder brother and taught him the good way of life. “My best friend, RaghujiSinha was like my elder brother. He was elder to me by 10 to 15 years and I have learnt a lot from him. He had a very healthy and peaceful lifestyle. He was very positive and his nature was extremely helpful. He was a very jovial person and being around him was always a boost of positive energy for me. Unfortunately, he is no more now but his memories with me are very precious.” %% Sharing more about the people in his life who have played a very vital role in shaping him, he talks about his wife, Shobha Surana. “I married Shobha in the year of 1962 and I am very lucky to have her. She is my constant support and is always by myside. She has given me four beautiful children, two daughters who are happily married and two sons, Chandra kumar and Pracheer who are my pillars of strength and have taken business to newer heights,” he shares with a smile. %% It is quite evident from the conversation that Prakashji is a complete people’s person and loves to have his close ones around. Apart from spending time with his family and flourishing his jewellery business we tried to probe into Prakashji’s interests and hobbies. And, we were pleasantly surprised to know that he was an avid horse rider and loved his horse riding with his group of friends. He has been a horse rider for more than 50 years and stopped with his usual daily rounds just last year. “I love horses and had quite a few horses at our stable but now due to the age factor I have stopped horse riding and now I have just one horse. His name is Pankaj, he is very old too but my grandson still rides him once in a while. Pankaj, is a part of our family and will remain with us till the end,” he says lovingly. Apart from horse riding he enjoys watching Polo matches too. He is the Executive General of Rajasthan Polo Club. %% It is not just the sports that interest Prakashji. He is an avid lover of Indian classical music as well. “Music is my lifetime passion and I will continue with it forever. My friends and I created a music society called ‘Shruti Mandal’ in 1962. This society organises classical Indian music programmes every month. I am proud to mention that every big artiste has come to Jaipur and has performed at Shruti Mandal be it Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Kumar Gandhrava, Pandit Ravi Shankar, etc. I have a huge collection of vintage records and I hope to make a library of vintage records after my retirement. Though I cannot sing or play any instrument, I have a very good understanding and knowledge of the Indian classical ragas,” he exclaims. %% When quizzed about his favourite holiday destinations, it is again quite patent that Prakashji is a complete family man and his every interest revolves around his family. His favourite holiday destination is Dhamangaon, a small village in Maharashtra. This village is his wife’s native place and he enjoys spending his time there. “I like the countryside and Dhamangaon is one of my favourites. I am very close to my in laws and spending time with them is always a pleasure. I have also been to Kashmir twice and that too is one of my favourite holiday destinations,” he articulates. A man with a simple taste and high values, his favourite cuisine is also made of simple homemade dishes and filled with high nutrients. Dal Batti and Bajrekakhichda are his favourite food dishes and he loves it even more when his wife cooks them for him. %%

With more than 50 years in the industry, we inquired if he now feels tired of his work and if he would retire soon and pat comes the reply, “No. Not, at all. Being at the store, being a part of this wonderful industry, meeting new people everyday and learning new things every moment is what keeps me fit and healthy. I will continue working with the same zeal and zest as when I was 20 years old.” %% People like Prakashji Surana and likes are an example of strength in the Indian gems and jewellery industry who have given more than half of a century to the trade to make it what it is today. A true hero who spells modesty, humility, perseverance and will power, Prakasji Surana is undoubtedly a sparkling gem. %%