Interview with Patti Boulaye OBE, 61
Interview with Patti Boulaye OBE, who takes part in BBC Two's The Real Marigold Hotel.
Published: 7 January 2016
I remember the ready smiles, especially from the children and women; the heat in Jaipur and the hospitality of our hosts.
Glamorous Patti Boulaye’s life motto is “You only get one life, so enjoy it!” The singer, actress and philanthropist left Nigeria for the UK aged 16, where, on a sightseeing tour, she mistook the lineup for Hair auditions as the queue for Madame Tussauds. She got a job and launched her musical career.
In Jaipur, Patti is keen to sing, socialise and master Indian dancing. Very family orientated she is also keen to look at the strong family bonds in India and how the elderly are treated with such respect.
What was the most memorable part of the experience?
I remember the ready smiles, especially from the children and women; the heat in Jaipur and the hospitality of our hosts; getting to know the different talents and backgrounds of my fellow travelers; doing yoga for the first time; learning Bollywood dancing; the trip to Varanasi; the elephants at the Safari and the Ganesh Festival; the graceful movement of the women in their colourful saris, the holy cows and the thronged spirituality of the people, and not forgetting daring to tell a joke in public for the first time to the Maharaja at his dinner party and being very grateful and relieved that it was well received!
What did you learn during your time there?
I learned the importance of having faith and respecting each other's chosen spiritual paths. Spirituality promotes a sense of joy, peace and wellbeing. That faith gives hope and natural acceptance of things that are inevitable. I also learned the importance of quiet dignity, strength and grace in women and the older generation.
Did you feel the older generation were treated differently in India?
Yes! No country is perfect, but on the whole the older generation had cultivated respect and deserved to be respected.
