Rapper and songwriter Raja Kumari has opened up about the bias South Asian artists face in the West, using Diljit Dosanjh’s Met Gala experience as a recent example. Speaking with Mid-Day, she revealed that Diljit was denied the iconic Patiala necklace, which was reportedly given to a YouTuber, Emma Chamberlain, just two years earlier.
“We’re More Than a Stereotype,” Says Raja
Raja Kumari shared how the West still tends to exoticise South Asian culture, but noted that artists are fighting back. “Sure, the West still exoticises us,” she said. “But we’re pushing back and saying that we’re more than their stereotype.”
The rapper recalled her early days in the music industry. “Back then, I was the only Indian in the room. People would just call me India or Yogi, and I’d go along with it — writing lyrics about mangoes and curry,” she admitted. “But we’ve grown past that. Now, there are more South Asian stories being told — by musicians, actors, writers, and filmmakers.”
Why Diljit Couldn’t Wear the Patiala Necklace
Diljit Dosanjh made a stunning Met Gala debut this year, wearing a custom Prabal Gurung outfit that resembled the look of a traditional Maharaja. His attire included a turban, kurta, tehmat (draped bottoms), and a sword — a look rooted in Punjabi royal culture.
But one piece was missing — the legendary Patiala necklace, originally created by Cartier in 1928 for the Maharaja of Patiala. This diamond masterpiece contained over 2,900 diamonds and reportedly weighs 1,000 carats. At the time of its creation, it was valued at ₹10 crore — which would be around $2.5 billion (₹21,000 crore) today.
According to Diljit’s stylist Abhilasha Devnani, they tried to borrow the necklace for the event but were told it was sealed in a museum and unavailable. However, in 2022, Emma Chamberlain, a social media influencer, wore a Cartier choker believed to be part of that same necklace to the Met Gala.
Raja Kumari Calls It “Performative Inclusion”
Raja Kumari didn’t hold back when addressing the incident. “Why didn’t Cartier let Diljit wear that iconic necklace, but gave it to a YouTuber before?” she asked. “That kind of erasure is frustrating. It’s performative inclusion. But the fact that we’re still pushing — that’s the change we’re creating.”
She also talked about the resistance she faced for wearing traditional Indian elements like a bindi, even from American music labels. That very struggle inspired her song “Bindis and Bangles”, which celebrates her cultural identity.
