Mr. Ajit Rao in centre with the students of SID, Ahmedabad and
the coordinators from Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation
at The Zenana Mahal

Workshop held at the City Palace Complex
Mr. Ajit Rao a cartoonist, animator, artist, architect, researcher and art merchandiser has conceptualized a project that could change the way we experience Indian art.
Based on research by eminent scholars from Ajanta, Ajit Rao has put together a diverse team of visualisers and artists to painstakingly recreate figures, styles, costumes and ornaments of the period.
The impetus of the project came from Rao's belief that a popular understanding of iconography, symbolism and ideology of Indian art is extremely under-developed. As part of a series of workshops in Ahmedabad for Masters' Students from the School of Interior Design ' Stories within a Story' was held at the City Palace Complex between the 15th and 18th November 2007.
During the four day workshop Rao reminded the audience that in our haste to adapt to our changing environment we seem to have forgotten the art of making places that can contain memories and be filled with our presence. The aim of this module, he said is to unravel the mysteries of the traditional wisdom of place- making by drawing parallels with traditions governing early Indian narratives. We are fortunate to be in The City Palace Museum at Udaipur that lends itself perfectly to this purpose. There could be no other option as perfect as this.

Students of SID, Ahmedabad at
The Zenana Mahal

His words were endorsed by Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Chairman and Managing Trustee, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation who said "My recollections and impressions of the City Palace were that it was an entire world in itself and by itself. There was no need to go out beyond the parameters of this complex, which was self-contained and more than adequate in every respect. It was also very awesome in its grandeur. Its grandeur was the result of contributions of my forefathers who had striven to build the City Palace Complex while maintaining a continuity with their past. What they built has endured.”

Honorable Governor of Rajasthan, Shri S. K. Singh being welcomed
by Mr. Madan Singh Shekhawat

The Honorable Governor of Rajasthan visits Gajner Palace
During his visit to Bikaner, The Honorable Governor of Rajasthan Shri S. K. Singh visited Gajner Palace on 20th November 2007. He was welcomed by Mr. Madan Singh Shekhawat, Manager, Gajner Palace. To honour the occasion Langa Troupe performed on traditional Rajasthani songs. Amongst the audience were The District Collector, Mr. Alok Gupta; Suprintendent of Police, Mr. Ashok Rathore; ADM, Bhawani Singh Shekhawat and Mr. Tejveer Singh, Forest Officer. During his visit, Shri Singh visited the Gajner Bird Sanctuary and enjoyed a boat ride on Gajner Lake. On his departure he commended staff on the upkeep of the Palace and grounds.

Honorable Governor of Rajasthan, Shri S. K. Singh
at Gajner Palac