Celebrating World Tourism Day

Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation celebrated World Tourism Day on 27th September 2020. During this year the 'United Nation World Tourism Organization' announced the theme 'Tourism and Rural Development'. The worldwide outbreak of Covid-19 has had a bad effect on all major economic sectors specially tourism. To recover from this crucial situation we have to develop traditional regional art and industries for economic development and encouraging tourism.

Specifically on World Tourism Day 2020, MMCF documented the traditional craft and craftsmanship prevalent in Udaipur. These artists belong to particular communities like Jadiya (Gold Smith), Kasara (Brass Worker), Sikligar (Sword Smith), Prajapats (Potters), Mochi (Shoe maker), Suthar (Carpenter), Bunkar (Weavers), Vari (who make utensils from tree-leaves), Ganchi (Bamboo workers), Tamboli (Beetle sellers), Chitrakars (Painters), Rangrez-Chhipa (Cloth dyers), Teli (Oil marketers), which are all living nearby the Palace in their own locality. Initially, all these communities came with Maharana Udai Singh II (r. 1537-1572 CE) from Chittorgarh when he established the city of Udaipur. They played a significant role in the everyday lives of the citizens of Udaipur. During this period, it would not be inaccurate to say that most of the inhabitants of the city were intimately involved with the day to day activities of the Palace. Their livelihood, social and intellectual pursuits as well as artistic interaction and development all depended on the Royal patronage. The culturally vibrant city of Mewar, which had once patronized regional traditional arts those were prevalent at the time of Maharanas of Mewar, are now slowly winding up.

Arms and Armour Series

Poster: Astra - Shastra

Arms and Armour series was organized by The City Palace Museum, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur. As part of this unique, one of a kind series, several experts are scheduled to be brought on board for enriching online sessions, and to share their expertise. Two sessions were conducted as part of this very series.

Astra - Shastra: an exploration of the Arms of Mewar, from Survival to Combat, was held on 7th October 2020.

The reveal: Exquisite pieces from the Arms collection

As part of this session, Dr. Hansmukh Seth, Associate Curator, explored the evolution of the arms of Mewar with changing contexts of survival and combat. The Museum also revealed select rare pieces from its Arms collection.

Shastra Parirakshan: An Arms and Armour Conservation Project gave an insight into the conservation of the Arms and Armour collection, housed at the Museum, ranging from Swords, Daggers, Old Guns, Rifles, Pistols, Revolvers, Ammunition, etc. It was held on 10th October 2020 and featured a presentation by Dr. Vandana Singh, Arms and
Poster: Shastra Parirakshan
Armour Consultant & Conservator, followed by a virtual visit to the Arms and Armour Conservation Laboratory led by Dr. Hansmukh Seth, Associate Curator and with inputs from Assistant Conservators (Arms-Armour) Ms. Dhwani Meghani and Ms. Srabani Gayen. The sessions were hosted by Ms. Chelsea Santos, Assistant Curator.

Lime Plaster - A traditional material and technique for historical structures

Lime is a traditional material that has been incorporated in historical structures including The City Palace of Udaipur, since time immemorial. This interactive session, featuring presentations by the Museum's in-house team of experts, including Mr. Omkar Adhikari, Conservation Architect, and Mr. Rahul Shukla, Project Engineer, and a live demonstration by Mr. Dev Kishan, Traditional Mason, was held on 17th October 2020.