“It is awe-inspiring to see sportsmanship being celebrated with such flourish, and Code Silver is appreciative of the opportunity to be a part of it.”
Since antiquity, Polo has been known to be the game of Kings. It has enjoyed continued patronage among the ruling class. The prime reason for the sport’s popularity has been linked to the mental and physical challenges involved in the game. It’s one of the oldest team sports, unlike any other, that showcases the powerful bond between a player, his/her fellow team players and the equine partners. Every move in the game is an exhilarating display of athleticism and poise.
The modern-day version of the sport was derived from a similar variant played in Manipur, a few centuries ago. Polo thrived with the advent of the British in the subcontinent. Its moment of glory began with the establishment of the oldest polo club in existence, the Calcutta Polo Club, in 1862. Its popularity among the British soldiers stationed in India shot up exponentially, prompting them to import the game into Britain. While the sport continued to prosper in several countries, its prominence in India began to fade with the exit of the British.
Today, with greater enthusiasm among young Indians to rediscover their country’s vibrant heritage, Polo is again gaining prominence. To galvanize interest in the sport, LaPolo announced The Indian Polo Awards. Keeping with its tradition of celebrating the timeless elan and the undaunted spirit of skilled sportsmanship, this year’s theme, “The Art of Sportsmanship”, focused on the caliber and the dedication that is innate to the persona of the polo sportsperson. And to acknowledge that effort through a token of appreciation, the awards collaborated with Jaipur-Based Code Silver.
Established in 2010, Code Silver is home to artisans crafting delicate pieces of silverware. It works on imbuing each element of its handcrafted silverware with the rich heritage of the local region. Its singular vision to create sophisticated works of art is reflected in the vast oeuvre. Code Silver has garnered much appreciation for its work in recent years, and its illustrious list of patrons include the royal houses of Bharatpur, Santrampur, Jaipur and Khimsar, among others.
It designed and developed the exquisite trophies presented to the champions of the evening at the Indian Polo Awards.
Talking about the inspiration behind the design, Shikha Durlabhji, Founder of Code Silver, says: “The awards honour the legacy of traditional polo in India, which has been cherished for centuries. This year’s awards pay tribute to the trailblazers of the sport who are constantly pushing the envelope. In keeping with this sentiment, our brand embodies the essence of luxury, as presented in the trophy.”
Describing the stunning gold-tinted horse figurehead that adorns the trophy, she says, “A lot of brainstorming went to crafting the trophy. We included the figurehead and polo mallet to inculcate the most important elements of the sport. As for the gold-black embellishment, the elegance of that colour combination works on conveying the chic quality that the sport evokes.”
As a parting note, she adds, “It is awe-inspiring to see sportsmanship being celebrated with such flourish, and Code Silver is appreciative of the opportunity to be a part of it.”
