The Capitalyst: Every individual with a deep historical lineage inherits a story before they even begin writing their own. Looking back at the centuries of history tied to the Marwatiya thikana, what core values or historical milestones do you take the most pride in?
Samar Vijay Singh: We hail from the Bisen clan of Rajputs and our ancestral village of Marwatiya is located in the modern-day district of Basti in Uttar Pradesh. My grandfather Late Thakur Vikram Singh migrated to Udaipur where he began his professional life as a university professor at Maharana Bhupal (MB) College before transitioning to grassroots-level governance and becoming the District President of Chittorgarh where he made immense contributions to the social welfare and development of the district. I take enormous pride in my roots and the achievements of my kinsmen. Staying rooted not only grounds me, but also acts as a guiding force that helps me chart my path forward in life.
The Capitalyst: If you had to redefine what “nobility” means in the 21st century, shifting the focus from old political power to cultural custodianship, how would you describe it?
Samar Vijay Singh: Nobility has always been synonymous with tradition for me. I think it’s very important for us to keep our traditions alive and pass them down to the future generations as has been the case previously for generations before us. Having completed my schooling from Mayo College in Ajmer and higher education from Glion in Montreux before joining the family business in hospitality has enabled me to test traditional values against a rapidly evolving global landscape and balance age-old traditions with the needs of the modern world.
The Capitalyst: Shifting focus to your day-to-day life, managing an ancestral legacy while navigating the 21st century must require a fairly unique schedule. Could you walk us through what a typical day looks like for you, including the projects, ventures, or milestones you are currently most focused on?
Samar Vijay Singh: No two days are the same. Every day is dynamic and presents its unique challenges in the hospitality industry. Currently we’re in the planning stages of the hotel renovations alongside curating some niche dining experiences. Apart from the day-to-day operations, these projects take up much of my time. I’m a firm believer of prioritising health and fitness and try to get in a daily workout. At the end of a long day, spending quality time with my family and playing with our dogs helps me reset and focus on what matters.
The Capitalyst: We are living in an era where many traditional estates are being completely reimagined, whether through heritage luxury hospitality, polo, eco-tourism, or high-value organic agriculture. Looking closely at the Marwatiya thikana, do you view your ancestral assets primarily through the lens of strict historical preservation, or do you have an entrepreneurial vision to evolve and modernise these interests in the coming years?
Samar Vijay Singh: Udai Kothi was established by my parents Thakur Vishwavijay Singh and Thakurani Bhuwneshwari Kumari in the heart of the Old City on Lake Pichola twenty-five years ago at the turn of the millennium. I’ve seen the narrow by-lanes, souvenir shops, quaint cafés, boutique havelis and the historic ghats transform into a tourism gem over the decades. As one of the leading pioneers of hospitality, I’m keen on reimagining heritage tourism and making it more experiential through authentic local engagement in the near future.
The Capitalyst: Royal and noble families are often viewed through a simplified or idealised lens by the general public. In your personal experience, what is something people most frequently misunderstand about the reality of modern royal and noble families?
Samar Vijay Singh: In my view it’s an oversimplification which can be largely attributed to the onscreen depiction of royalty and nobility in popular media. Historically, we have always been active participants of civil society and contributed to nation-building. More recently, my grandmother Late Thakurani Nirmala Kumari was a two-time Member of Parliament from Chittorgarh and played a pivotal role in establishing new industries such as Hindustan Zinc Ltd and generating economic growth within the constituency and beyond.
The Capitalyst: You maintain a relatively private digital presence compared to many public figures. Is this a deliberate choice to keep family life sacred, and how do you decide what parts of your heritage to share with the wider world?
Samar Vijay Singh: Yes, this is a deliberate choice to safeguard family life as working in the outward-facing hospitality industry is centred on public relations and sharing experiences with guests. As a result, setting personal boundaries can be challenging sometimes. However, I’ve always valued my privacy and try to do my best to separate my professional and personal life.
The Capitalyst: Strip away the titles, the history, and the public perceptions for a moment. At the end of the day, what do you hope people remember and respect most about you as an individual?
Samar Vijay Singh: At the end of the day, I hope people remember me for the small acts of kindness and the memories we’ve created together.
