Maharana of Mewar Charitable
Foundation (MMCF) diary

Visit of Dr. Shailendra K. Kushwaha
On the 9th June Dr. Shailendra K. Kushwaha, Dean, Faculty of Fine Arts at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and Reader & Head, Department of Art History & Aesthetics at Faculty of Fine Arts, The M.S. University of Baroda accompanied by his wife and Mr. Yugal Sharma visited The City Palace Museum, Udaipur.

Dr. Kushwaha is a renowned scholar on Mewar Paintings and has done specialization in Indian (Traditional & Modern) Art, Indian Miniature Painting, Far-Eastern Art. During his visit he advised on future projects specifically relating to museum outreach and internships with college students and demonstrated a keen interest in collaborating in research and further training programmes with The Foundation.

From left: Mrs. Shailendra K . Kushwaha,
Dr. Shailendra K. Kushwaha, Mr. Yugal Sharma and Ms. Sonika Soni

Guide Orientation Programmes
MMCF organised a series of Guide orientation programmes between the 9th to 29th June at the MMCF Conference Hall, COMPO, The City Palace Complex, Udaipur. The guide orientation programme is a step towards fulfilling the MMCF's objective to create awareness and educate the guides at The City Palace Museum, Udaipur, about the history of Mewar and other topics relating to Environment conservation.

18 Guides attended the day's programme on the 9th June that was presided over by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Sharma a distinguished historian and expert on India's National Hero Maharana Pratap. He highlighted Maharana Pratap as the embodiment of courage, self-respect, patriotism in the spirit of independence.

Dr. Chandra Shekhar Sharma

On the 16th June Mr. Manish Soni, a young miniature artist from a family of traditional miniature painters briefed the guides on the subject of “Locating Mewar Paintings in Indian Art”. He spoke at length about various forms of Indian art with a special focus on Indian paintings. He also contextualised Mewar paintings within the larger scenario and discussed various aspects of painting that included materials, technique and symbolism.

Mr. Manish Soni

15 Guides attended the session on the 22nd June that was presided over by Mr. Satyendra Singh Chawda. Mr. Chawda has been in the travel and trade business for a very long time and accumulated a wealth of experience from interacting with tourists. He has also gained deep knowledge on the history of Mewar. He pointed out that guides are the face of the city for tourists and reminded the audience that their role is extremely important in building the reputation of the city as a whole. In order to do so the guides must adhere to high standards of conduct at all times.