How Rajkumari Jayapalashri Anil is taking royal heritage from the palace to the boardroom

For generations, India’s royal families were closely associated with palaces, patronage and the preservation of art, craft and regional traditions. Today, a new generation is finding ways to carry that legacy beyond historic estates and into contemporary businesses, using entrepreneurship as a means to make heritage more accessible and relevant. Rajkumari Jayapalashri Anil, who has brought her family’s legacy into the world of coffee with Berunda Coffee, reflects on the evolving role of Indian royalty, the influence of Karnataka’s cultural heritage and why preserving tradition can also mean finding new ways to share it in a chat with HELLO! India.

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HELLO! India: Since royal families today are increasingly venturing into entrepreneurship, what do you think has driven this shift, and how has your own journey reflected it?

Rajkumari Jayapalashri Anil: I think our generation has realised that heritage only survives when it continues to evolve. We should not only preserve history, we have to give it relevance. For me, entrepreneurship wasn’t about starting a business. It was about finding a meaningful way to share our family’s legacy with people beyond the palace gates. I often say that history should be lived, not just remembered. Coffee felt like the most natural medium because it brings people together. Every cup starts a conversation, creates a memory and slows life down for just a few moments. If our story can become part of someone’s daily ritual, then our heritage continues to live.

HELLO! India: With your family’s history being deeply rooted in Karnataka, how has the state’s culture and agricultural heritage shaped your vision for the brand?

Rajkumari Jayapalashri Anil: Karnataka has shaped me in every possible way. It is a land that celebrates beauty without trying too hard. Whether it is the rolling coffee estates of Chikmagalur and Coorg, the fragrance of sandalwood, the elegance of Mysore silk or the craftsmanship that has been passed down for generations, everything here carries a quiet sense of pride. Growing up, I learnt to appreciate things that are made with patience and care. That philosophy naturally became the foundation of Berunda Coffee. We wanted every element, from the coffee itself to the packaging, to reflect refinement without excess. Luxury, to me, has never been about being loud. It is about authentic.

HELLO! India: Do you see this as the beginning of a movement where India’s royal families become custodians of regional crafts and culture?

Rajkumari Jayapalashri Anil: I sincerely hope so. Historically, royal families were patrons of artisans, musicians, farmers and craftsmen. I don’t think that responsibility has disappeared; it has simply changed form. Today, instead of commissioning palaces or monuments, we have the opportunity to build brands that celebrate our regions, support local communities and keep traditional knowledge alive. If entrepreneurship becomes another way of preserving culture, then I think that is a beautiful evolution.

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HELLO! India: Heritage is often associated with museums and palaces. How important was it for you to make that legacy something people could experience in their everyday lives?

Rajkumari Jayapalashri Anil: That was probably the biggest reason Berunda Coffee came into existence. Most people admire heritage from a distance. I wanted people to experience it. Not everyone will walk through a palace, but almost everyone enjoys a good cup of coffee. Imagine beginning your morning with coffee that carries the story of a family, a region and generations of tradition. Suddenly history becomes personal. To me, heritage should never feel untouchable. It should be warm, welcoming and part of everyday life.

HELLO! India: If someone knows very little about Indian royalty, what is one misconception you would like to challenge through your work?

Rajkumari Jayapalashri Anil: That royalty is not only about privilege. For me, it has always been about responsibility. You inherit stories, values and traditions, and it becomes your duty to preserve them with dignity while making them relevant for the next generation. Titles don’t define royalty. Character does.

HELLO! India: Were there any traditions from your own upbringing that influenced the way you approached this venture?

Rajkumari Jayapalashri Anil: Absolutely. Hospitality was never treated as a formality in our home. It was an expression of respect and affection. Guests were welcomed warmly, conversations were never rushed and coffee was never simply served, it was shared. Those little moments stay with you. Even today, I believe some of life’s most meaningful conversations happen over a cup of coffee. That feeling is something I wanted Berunda to capture, not just exceptional coffee, but the warmth that comes with offering it to someone.

HELLO! India: Beyond coffee, are there other aspects of Karnataka’s heritage that you would love to see receive greater global recognition?

Rajkumari Jayapalashri Anil: There are so many. Mysore silk, sandalwood, perfumes, traditional paintings, temple architecture, our music, our cuisine: They all deserve a much larger place on the global stage. But more than individual crafts, I would love people to experience Karnataka as a way of life. There is an elegance here that doesn’t seek attention. A quiet confidence. A deep respect for nature, tradition and craftsmanship.

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