Student from Kazakhstan turns into a model by chance on her first visit to Jaipur and since then, calls the Pink City her home
Gulshat Myrzash on how she ended up living in Jaipur, posing for global brands and her favourite places in the city to unwind
A student of Oriental studies from Kazakhstan, Gulshat Myrzash came to Maharashtra, India in the third year of her undergraduate degree for an exchange programme. During her breaks, the 23-year-old visited Jaipur from Varda, Maharashtra, and in a moment of serendipity, a career was born and her life changed for good. She lost her heart to the city and found home in Jaipur.
A lover of heritage architecture, brouhaha of the bazaars and the rustic charm of Jaipur, Myrzash talks about her admiration for this magical city and promises to meet me at my haveli when I’m back in India.
Q. How did Jaipur happen for you?
A. I travelled to Jaipur from Maharashtra on Holi (the festival of colours). After celebrating, we went to Bapu Bazaar in the walled city. There, a photographer approached me out of nowhere for a modelling project - it was a jewellery shoot. She asked me if I was interested. At that time, I had nothing to do with modelling. I didn’t even know how to take photos, or what to do with my hands – it was a totally new thing for me. But still, I decided to try it and accepted the offer. We did that shoot, the photos came out really nice and I decided, oh, I can be a model!
Yet, I went back to my country and finished my education. Still, I did a few shoots there - but it was a side thing. I had a main job there. But, I came back to Jaipur, again for Holi in 2022, did two shoots and after that, decided to stay here and… continue doing shoots.
Q. What’s the best experience you’ve had in Jaipur?
A. It’s mostly during shoots in heritage havelis (ancestral townhouses), palaces and forts. I once did a shoot for this Australian brand, Daughters of India in Alsisar Haveli and on the streets and bazaar of the walled city. That brand just showered me with so much love. I was so happy that entire day - they were very kind, caring, amazing and a fun bunch of people to work with. Although it wasn’t a full-day shoot, it was only a couple of hours, but even that little time is very memorable for me.
Q. Most people in this industry choose to live in bigger cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, etc. Why did you choose Jaipur?
A. First of all, this career started here. So maybe that’s why I kept coming back. Secondly, Jaipur is a big hub of textiles and gemstones. And that means that Jaipur has a lot of brands which give me projects. And also, Jaipur has the most amazing locations for shoots. Even brands from Delhi, Mumbai and other cities come to Jaipur to do their shoots. For them, it’s easier to hire a model who lives here.
Above everything, I love Jaipur, I love the lifestyle here - it’s slow, safe and not chaotic like in big cities.
Q. Do you think people from other cities, especially those who left Jaipur want to come back to the city?
A. I think young people from Jaipur are leaving for bigger cities for more opportunities but, I guess now the difference is that they’re leaving with an intention of coming back. As I said, Jaipur is very convenient and a good place to stay when you want a calm, peaceful and slow lifestyle.
Q. What do you like about the people of Jaipur?
A. People of Jaipur, again because of their lifestyle, are very simple. And, they are curious, that’s what I love about the people here. They are so kind and always ready to help. They make me really happy. Whenever I take a rickshaw (local transport), I just end up spending the whole day with the rickshaw driver. I can be comfortable and ask them - ‘Bhaiya, can you please stop here? I’ll come back after an hour.’ And, he would still be there, waiting for me!
Q. Have you made any friends in Jaipur?
A. I do have friends here but to be honest, most of them are foreigners, just like me. Jaipur has a lot of foreigners working here, doing business because of the vast opportunities in textiles, gemstones and other industries.
All the people I work with, I happily call them my friends. In Jaipur, there’s no such thing as working with a team or a professional only once. I’ve worked with every photographer, cinematographer and stylist in the city a minimum of seven times. And by the end of every shoot, we come much closer and get more comfortable with each other. It just happened naturally, and I got lucky!
Q. And finally, would you encourage more people to shift to Jaipur?
A. Yes, totally! I see huge potential in this city. There are already so many people coming to Jaipir to create something, start their own thing, initiate business and turn their dreams into reality.
Jaipur is a great place to be creative and earn money. And, it’s not just about the opportunities. Jaipur is a magical city because there’s no other city that has such a deep history. Walking by, any building here could be 300 years old and still be in the same condition it was centuries ago. And…that’s just insane!
Myrzash recommends her favourite places in Jaipur for:
1. Shoots - Street of the Pink City market, heritage havelis and Rajmahal Palace
2. Coffee - Half Light Coffee Roasters
3. Cocktails - Bar PalladioÂ
4. Brunch - Town Coffee
5. Dinner - Jaipur Modern Kitchen (love their healing broth)