Events of the Month

2nd Meeting of Expert Group to Negotiate Saarc Motor Vehicles Agreement

On the 20th May the 2nd meeting of Expert Group to Negotiate SAARC Motors Vehicles agreement was held at Sabhagaar Conference Hall, The Durbar Hall, Fateh Prakash Palace Convention Centre, Udaipur. The meeting was inaugurated by the Central Minister for Transport and Railways, Dr. C.P. Joshi. The two day meeting was attended by 40 delegates from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal who participated in the meeting.

The meeting was organized by the National Highway Authority Of India to facilitate the movement of cargo in the SAARC countries.

Dr. C. P. Joshi addressing
the delegates of SAARC countries

Maharana of Mewar Charitable
Foundation (MMCF) Diary

Inauguration of the Music gallery,'Symphony of Mewar- A Royal Collection of Musical Instruments', at Zenana Mahal, The City Palace, Udaipur.

On the 20th May Mrs. Rolee Agrawal, IRS, Commissioner Income Tax, Ahmedabad, inaugurated the Music gallery, 'Symphony of Mewar- A Royal Collection of Musical Instruments', a new gallery in Zenana Mahal, The City Palace, Udaipur in the presence of the royal family of Udaipur including Shriji, Smt. Vijayraj Kumari Mewar of Udaipur and Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur. As part of the inauguration a musical concert was organized where students from the Maharana Mewar Public School, Udaipur orchestra played an instrumental performance followed by a recital of Dr. Poonam Joshi on Sitar.

The renovation and restoration of Zone D, Zenana Mahal, The City Palace Museum, Udaipur, where the Music Gallery is located is being undertaken with the financial assistance from Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi under the scheme 'Setting up, promotion and strengthening of regional and local museums'.

The House of Mewar has always provided patronage and support towards the continuation of the age-old traditions of music. The Maharanas themselves were passionate patrons of music as well as art and literature demonstrating the creative side of their warrior status. To give a few examples, starting with Sangeet Shiromani Maharana Kumbha, the multifaceted ruler of Mewar was a great proponent of music. Rana Sanga introduced 'Arabeetasha' a musical instrument which was captured from the army of Babar at the battle of Bayana in 1527. Poet, saint and devotee of Lord Krishna Bhaktimati Meera Bai introduced a new Raag- 'Meera Malhar' which is performed by artists in Dhrupad and Khayaal Schools of Music.

During the reign of Rana Amar Singh I, the Raagmala series of paintings were made in Chawand and 'Raag Deepka' and 'Raag Maru' were depicted in these series. During the reign of Rana Raj Singh I, the Nav Chowki Mahal was built on the banks of Lake Rajsamand which has intricately carved musical instruments and dance forms adorning the nine domes. Again during his time with the arrival of Shreenath ji at Nathdwara in 1672, Haveli Sangeet came to Mewar and became famous as a Dhrupad singing.

Keeping alive the patronage the late Maharana Bhagwat Singh ji Mewar of Udaipur, hosted the Dagar brothers in Udaipur in the late 1950's 60's and used this occasion to record their performance on analogue tape. He introduced Dagar Gharana Award in 1981-82 as part of the Maharana Mewar Foundation Annual Awards organized by MMCF.

The love for music and its patronage is kept alive today by the 76th Custodian of the House of Mewar Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur.

By initiating various cultural programmes under the umbrella of Eternal Mewar, Shriji has been making consistent efforts to create a platform at a global level for the Music of Mewar.

Musical evenings at the Holika Dahan Festival, 'Swaranjali' on Guru Poornima at Shree Eklingnath ji Temple and on the night of Kartik Poornima some of the best artist from all over India and abroad are invited to perform at the City Palace and at other venues.

All the instruments on display belong to Members of the Mewar Family some of which are over hundred years old. This makes the collection unique as it is a continuation of the family's personal interest in music and preservation of these musical instruments. It is yet another shining example of 'Living Heritage' practiced by Eternal Mewar.