Ms. Bhargavi Kumari Mewar of Udaipur
lighting the lamp with
Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur

Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, the 76th. Custodian of the House of Mewar and Chairman and Managing Trustee of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), graced the occasion with family members, special invitees from the city and International guests visiting Udaipur. Ms. Margaret Lipworth from Lipworth Fine Arts was a special guest for the occasion. She was accompanied by her daughter Ms. Donna Lipworth Moss. Many guests were witnessing the celebration of the 'living heritage' of Eternal Mewar for the first time.

Kartik Poornima is the only day of the year when Lord Brahma, the Creator of the Universe, is worshipped. At Udaipur's City Palace Complex, this ancient festival has always been a celebration with dance and music on this night of the full moon during the month of Kartik, according to the Hindu calendar. "Through this performance we endeavour to symbolise the worship of our creator Lord Brahma. Tonight, we present a confluence of mystical sounds and sacred dances that we hope will transport you to the seat of universal divine love where the creator and creation are one", said Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur.

"Kartik Poornima is an inspiring and uplifting festival", said Thakur Bhupendra Singh Auwa, Deputy Secretary - Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation - Administration, adding, "It is a regal festival that has been traditionally celebrated at the City Palace in Udaipur for centuries. We are proud to uphold this age-old tradition and make it meaningful for 21st century guests visiting Udaipur".

From left: Ms. Margret Lipworth,
Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur
and Ms. Donna Lipworth Moss

The two day concert on this occasion started with Vande Matram with 24 members of the Orchestra Mr. Jeronhe S.P. Fernandes, Mr. N.S. Chandlu, Mr. N.P. Kerala Kumaran, Mr. P. Bhaskar, Mr. K. Sasikumar, Mr. P.J. Sebastian and Mr. Ch. Vijayabhaskar, first violin; Mr. Sheik Imam Saheb, Mr. Geroge Samuel, Mr. A. Sigamani Dinakaran, Mr. S. Senthil, Mr. M.J. Benvar Paganini, Mr. Joseph P. John and Mr. Prabhu George, second violin; Mr. Jugania Anita Francis, Mr. B. Vinoykumar, Mr. Emilian Jerome Fernandes, Mr. Gopinath Sett and Mr. Fernandes Cyril Peter, Viola; Mr. Bidyut Kayal and Mr. Suresh P, Double Bass; Mr. Somnath Sett, Mr. Desmond James Xavier and Mr. R.K. Vijayendran, Cello. The fusion of Indian and western Classical music composed by Jeronhe S.P. Fernandes was enthusiastically received by the audience. The Madras Chamber Orchestra is made up of professional musicians under the leadership of Mr. Bernard Wacheux and has already given several major concerts in Chennai and Pondicherry. Aurodhan art gallery Pondicherry has supported the formation of the Madras Chamber Orchestra.