The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF)

MMCF

The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), Udaipur was instituted to serve and assist each and every individual to realise a special status in the hierarchy of God's creation, and to serve as a temple of inspiration to future generations. The Foundation was founded upon principles of trusteeship, which are its underlying structure and strengt...

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Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation

Maharana Mewar Research Institute

The City Palace, Udaipur

Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar of Udaipur expressed an earnest desire to establish a research institute to undertake research in literature, heritage, art and history of Mewar. This cherished goal has been realized with the high spirits and tradition of his predecessors, at the behest of Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Chairman, Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation. In 1985 CE, Maharana Mewar Research Institute was established and Shriji donated the historical collection to the institute. The institute has largest collections of manuscripts. This rich collection covers several languages and scripts such as Sanskrit, Hindi, local and other regional languages. This is a significant store house of information and resource for research scholars and academicians and some have even accessed these archives as prime material for their research work.

Haqiqat Bahida Publication - Haqiqat Bahida (daily diaries handwritten in local language) is the primary sources of Historical information. Every day of Maharana’s ruling period is mentioned in this daily diary with time - table along with his travels, meeting with dignitaries, routine and traditions followed on various festivals. The information is gathered and complied by Research Institute and which is later published.

Map Conservation and Digitalization Project - Mr. Lalit Kumar Pathak (Consultant Lalit Pathak Paper and Arts Conservation, New Delhi) and his team, members have completed the documentation, condition assessment and scientific studies leading to conservation of maps, which are preserved in Maharana Mewar research Institute. After that Research Institute has digitalized about 2000 Maps including blueprints, sketches and hand drawings.

These relevant historical maps narrating the historical development of the palace form are used to outline the major phases for the evolution of the City Palace. A few maps recording the changes made in the palace during the last century have been useful in revealing the history of repair and alteration up to the present day.

Historical Documentations - The Research Institute is working on historical documentation like Constructions done by the Maharanas of Mewar, Various traditions, Modernizations in Mewar state and milestone works, which was done by Maharanas of Mewar. In short, the Institute has been effectively playing the role of a very significant centre of Indological Studies and Research.

MAHARANA MEWAR SPECIAL LIBRARY

Maharana Mewar Special Library is vital hub for cultural expression and heritage preservation. Maharana Mewar Special Library’s collection comprises of over 35,000 rare books.

The catacombs carved out on the eastern edge of the hill are the foundations of the Manek Chowk, the main courtyard of The City Palace, Udaipur. This sixteenth century subterraneous space served as an erstwhile store for horse and elephant fodder, and grain for humans from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century in times of siege on the earlier Mewar state. The catacomb structure is representative of the unique Rajput spatial planning of hill forts in this region. The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation reopened these catacombs in 1996. The catacombs were found in a dilapidated state, filled with debris, damaged plaster on walls and ceilings and profuse seepage on the western end. The guiding principle for conservation work initiated by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation in 1998, was, two fold. Firstly, to restore the dilapidated structure and secondly, to provide an appropriate reuse with minimal intervention.

Considerable technical ingenuity and aesthetic sensibility transformed these catacombs without altering the character of the historic space. It took two years of laborious conservation work and 200,000 USD to convert these 1216 square meters of space into the Maharana Mewar Special Library (MMSL).The metamorphosis of the catacombs in the year 2000, into the state of the art library for special studies on Mewar culture was a commendable addition to the cultural cape of Udaipur. The vision behind the project was “A World unto Itself”, an extraordinary space where the past meets the present, in order to contemplate the future. The ancient storehouse for the sustenance of body were transformed into a contemporary storehouse for the sustenance of the mind.

Maharana Mewar Special Library (MMSL), on 8th April 2000 this library was viewed as a new addition to the 'cultures cape' of Udaipur and the expansive perspective of MMCF. It was and is 'A world unto itself’ an extraordinary space where the past meets the present in order to contemplate the future. The library has a collection of more than 35470 books of varying antiquity, which includes 10000 books on literature, 8961 on religion, 7999 books on general geography and history connected with the world, India and Mewar Dynasty, 6000 books on art and architecture and many other subjects. The library is also a unique repository of archival documents, rare books and maps. These materials have been catalogued using LIBSYS software and the digital catalogue.

Maharana Mewar Special Library is a modern facility situated in the The City Palace which houses a unique collection of manuscripts and tamrapatras, paintings and their illustrations, books, maps and almanacs, collected by several generations of the royal family of Mewar. Keeping with the needs and demands of the present day, the library has been professionally catalogued through extensive computerization and accurate documentation using the latest library software. The Library uses a web based library management solution to enhance the total library experience through value added features and services which is called LIBSYS. It has been serving the library community from past 30 years with a focus to deliver user friendly and technically sound solutions. They were the pioneers for library automation in India. Having served more than 3000 satisfied Scholars, both in India and internationally, products carry unmatched depth in functionality augmented by reliable services.Also, to assist national and international scholars, students, and the general public, we have provided a comprehensive search facility which will enable one to access and acquire the contents online on our website.

Conservation Methodology and Materials

Conservation Methodology and Materials

The Original

At the Original

The initial restoration work of the catacombs was a mammoth task. The initial excavations began in 1996 with the opening of the catacombs. The catacombs had three parallel aisles and the inner two aisles were completely dark, badly damaged, filled with debris and full of bats. It was found that the innermost western wall in the last aisle was completely damp with profuse water seepage from the Palace grounds.The restoration work started in 1998 with the initial challenge being the application of efficient waterproofing techniques on the western wall and roof to stop the severe seepage from the palace grounds. Since the seepage problem was very crucial, hence the waterproofing experts had to resort to the usage of newer materials and techniques such as cement grouting that additionally provided structural enhancement. This was further topped by stone cladding of locally available grey coloured Kota stone (with high waterproofing quality).

The stonework further reinforced the waterproofing of the western walls. This work was carried by local stonemasons from Udaipur. The entire plaza on top that are the Palace grounds was repaved with new waterproofing using the existing traditional stones. After waterproofing was completed, the catacombs were ready for the transformation. The eastern façade of the catacombs was restored with traditional lime plaster, which was prepared and plastered by the traditional masons in Udaipur.

Additional elements on the eastern façade that includes the turrets used for air-cooling and the entrance platforms, were made in new materials i.e. brick and cement to accentuate the difference between the new and the old.The stone railings on the platform utilised the traditional building craft of stone carving in Udaipur to retain the aesthetic ambiance of the façade.

In the Interiors, to utilise the multilevel bays as library spaces, steps were introduced at the cross passages. These steps were laboriously chased onto the existing rock by local stonemasons. In some cases, where it was not possible to use original materials, alternative materials such as cement were used.

The new partition walls needed to define library spaces were made in bricks and cement. Besides the spatial layout, two significant challenges in the adaptive reuse of these catacombs were lighting and ventilation of these dark, dungeon like spaces. Some alterations were required since the interior spaces allowed no natural light to enter.

Openings were strategically inserted in the Media room and widened on the eastern façade in line with the cross passages thus allowing filtered light to reach the interiors. Further interior spaces were lit by artificial lighting. The new brick partition walls also allowed for chasing for fixing the electrical conduits in the walls.

The problem of ventilation and humidity control is also sensitively adapted in this difficult conversion. Modern means of cooling such as air-conditioning were avoided. Instead, stone ducts were concealed under the floor that remove the stale air from the interiors and fresh air is brought in through specially designed ducts (turrets on the eastern facade) near the doorways.

The system regulates four air changes per hour and the heat generated by the lighting absorbs any extra humidity. As far as the décor of the library is concerned, the overwhelming geometrical parallel bays set the tone for the interior design.

To set off the predominantly angular architectural elements that dominate the library interior, the reception and the book issue counter are marked by a curvilinear structure with a gentle wave in it. The contrasting new materials used further emphasise the traditional spatial characteristics of the structure.

The ceiling and arches that provide the exclusive spatial quality are further enhanced by wall finishes with a special formulation giving a smooth textural effect that retains the monolithic nature of the structure. The new elements that now populate space such as the furniture, the control counter, the light fixtures and the catalogue islands were specially fabricated from light materials so that the character of the monolithic spaces remains the predominant experience for the visitor.

This conservation initiative has proved that even utilitarian service areas in historic architecture can be beautifully restored and integrated to enhance the associative, historic and architectural significance of a historic site. The new Library exemplifies creative conservation of a historic structure for public usage.

The adaptive reuse of the catacombs as a Special Library on Mewari history and culture has given a new meaning to this historic space in Udaipur. It sets a benchmark for charitable conservation works by a non government organisation to serve the local community as well as national and international researchers.

Publications

Shree Ganeshji

Price (INR) : 30
Rana Pratap

Price (INR) : 40
Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur(Poet Raghunath Kantha)

Price (INR) : 40
Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar –2 (R.K.)

Price (INR) : 40
Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar

Price (INR) : 40
Holi Festival - The City Palace Complex, Udaipur

Price (INR) : 40
Portrait of Maharana

Price (INR) : 200
Mewar Lithographs (Set of 6 post cards)

Price (INR) : 200

Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2065)

Author : Pundit Chandra Shekhar Sharma

Year : 2008-09
Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2064)

Author : Pundit Chandra Shekhar Sharma

Year : 2007-08
Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2063)

Author : Pundit Chandra Shekhar Sharma

Year : 2006-07
Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2062)

Author : Pundit Chandra Shekhar Sharma

Year : 2005-06
Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2061)

Author : Pundit Bhojraj Dwivedi

Year : 2004-05
Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2060)

Author : Pundit Bhojraj Dwivedi

Year : 2003-04
Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2059)

Author : Pundit Sudhakar Sharma

Year : 2002-03

Celebrating 50 years of a Living Institution

The book contains story of continuous development at MMCF from Foundation Ceremony of MMCF in 1969; 1st MMFAA held on 28th December 1980; establishments of Maharana Mewar Research Institute and Maharana Mewar Special Library; Eternal Mewar Festivals; Exhibitions; Unveiling Ceremony of the statue of Maharana Pratap at Pratap Prangan, Maharana Pratap Airport, Dabok, Udaipur; Project with Ministry of Culture, Government of India; World Living Heritage Festivals; Restoration of Government Girls' Senior Secondary School building at Jagdish Chowk, Udaipur; Conservation Laboratory and many more.
Book Reviews
Download the Book
Long Exposure – The Camera at Udaipur, 1857-1957

Author: Pramod Kumar KG and Mrinalini Venkateswaran with contributions by S. Girikumar and Lauren Power

Price (INR): 1999

Year: 2014

Publisher: Marg Publications, Mumbai
Vastu Uddhardhorani

Author: Dr Shrikrishna Jugnu

Price (INR): 150

Year: 2008

Publisher: Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi
In a World of Gods and Goddesses

Author: Indra Sharma

Price (INR): 3000

Year: 2001

Publisher: Mandala Publishnig
Court Painting In Rajasthan

Author: Andrew Topsfield

Price (INR): 1950

Year: 2000

Publisher: Marg Publications, Mumbai
Udaipur :The Fabled City of Romanace

Author: Rachna Shankar & Pankaj Rakesh

Price (INR): 295

Year: 1997
Mewar Ki Chitrakan Prampra

Author: R.K.Vasist

Price (INR): 300

Year: 1984

Publisher: Unic Traders, Jaipur
Celebrating 50 years of a Living Institution
Chronicling Mewar: History through the Arts

Conservation Master Plan

Overview Volume

MMCF, the foundation that takes care of The City Palace Museum made an application to the Getty Foundation in Los Angeles for a conservation plan for the site and was awarded a project planning grant of 75000 USD.

The exhaustive surveys and planning of this unique 400 years old historic monument took about two years.

Organisations such as the National Museum, New Delhi, UNESCO India, Birla Institute of Technology at Ranchi, TVB School of Habitat Studies (now part of Indraprashta University) at New Delhi and INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) Udaipur Chapter were involved in participatory workshops organised during the plan preparation.

The plan was prepared by DRONAH (Development and Research Organisation for Nature, Arts and Heritage) and its preparation involved a multidisciplinary team of professionals.

The overarching mission of the conservation master plan is to continue the tradition of custodianship, enhance cultural significance of the City Palace and integrate sustainability into decision-making at all levels.

The plan outlines a value based and process oriented approach, which aims to bring forth the indian perspective to the international conservation arena.

Vision and Policies

MMCF, the foundation that takes care of The City Palace Museum made an application to the Getty Foundation in Los Angeles for a conservation plan for the site and was awarded a project planning grant of 75000 USD.

The exhaustive surveys and planning of this unique 400 years old historic monument took about two years.

Organisations such as the National Museum, New Delhi, UNESCO India, Birla Institute of Technology at Ranchi, TVB School of Habitat Studies (now part of Indraprashta University) at New Delhi and INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) Udaipur Chapter were involved in participatory workshops organised during the plan preparation.

The plan was prepared by DRONAH (Development and Research Organisation for Nature, Arts and Heritage) and its preparation involved a multidisciplinary team of professionals.

The overarching mission of the conservation master plan is to continue the tradition of custodianship, enhance cultural significance of the City Palace and integrate sustainability into decision-making at all levels.

The plan outlines a value based and process oriented approach, which aims to bring forth the indian perspective to the international conservation arena.

Implementation

MMCF, the foundation that takes care of The City Palace Museum made an application to the Getty Foundation in Los Angeles for a conservation plan for the site and was awarded a project planning grant of 75000 USD.

The exhaustive surveys and planning of this unique 400 years old historic monument took about two years.

Organisations such as the National Museum, New Delhi, UNESCO India, Birla Institute of Technology at Ranchi, TVB School of Habitat Studies (now part of Indraprashta University) at New Delhi and INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) Udaipur Chapter were involved in participatory workshops organised during the plan preparation.

The plan was prepared by DRONAH (Development and Research Organisation for Nature, Arts and Heritage) and its preparation involved a multidisciplinary team of professionals.

The overarching mission of the conservation master plan is to continue the tradition of custodianship, enhance cultural significance of the City Palace and integrate sustainability into decision-making at all levels.

The plan outlines a value based and process oriented approach, which aims to bring forth the indian perspective to the international conservation arena.

Future Plans

Interpretation Plan

The proposed use of the site is based on the following primary objectives: As per the vision statement of the conservation master plan, the interpretation plan will communicate the tradition of custodianship to all the visitors, engage them in a joyous experience of the City Palace and integrate sustainability into the interpretive programs for various visitor types. The specific vision for interpretation can be aligned with the overall vision statement and can be reinstated as:

Future Plans

User Stratregy

The proposed use of the site is based on the following primary objectives:

The visitors will experience the City Palace as it was historically built and used - a single entity with additive layers from each era showing the architectural and social transformations of each era and its adaptive functioning as individual parts as well as a whole.
The museum planning will acknowledge the entire site as a museum with supporting functions. It will have a parallel focus on both the site as an architectural marvel and the collections supported by a robust interpretation plan.

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The Mewar Sound and Light Show

Price (INR): 100

To buy send your inquiry at museums@eternalmewar.in
Drive for ExcellenceSound and Light Show

Price (INR): 350

To buy send your inquiry at museums@eternalmewar.in
101 Moments Udaipur - a city unforgettable

Price (INR): 550

To buy send your inquiry at museums@eternalmewar.in

Rana Pratap

Price (INR): 40
Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur(Poet Raghunath Kantha)

Price (INR): 40
Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur – 2 (R.K.)

Price (INR): 40
Shree Ganeshji

Price (INR): 30
Maharana Bhagwat Singhji Mewar

Price (INR): 40
Holi Festival (Nobti ri Aswari)

Year: 2006

Price (INR): 40

MMCF

Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation

Maharana Mewar Research Institute

Maharana Mewar Research Institute

MAHARANA MEWAR SPECIAL LIBRARY

Conservation Methodology and Materials

Publications

Mewar Vanshiya Paramparik Avam Atyadhunik Sawariyen Vikram Samva: 2067-68

Mewar Ke Paramparik Pan Ke Beede Vikram Samva: 2066-67

Udaipur Rajmahal Ki Dyodia, Darwaje Avam Pol Vikram Samva: 2065-66

Mewar Rajgharane Ke Upyog Me Ane Wale Tamjam, Tathat Avam Myane Vikram Samva: 2064-65

Shriji Hujur Arvind Singh Ji Mewar Vikram Samva: 2061-62

Sisodia Vansh Ke Kuldevta Nav Grahpati Shri Surya Narayan Vikram Samva: 2060-61

Shiv May Samahit Shaktia Vikram Samva: 2059-60

Sisodia Vansh Kay Kuldevta Nav Grahpati Shri Surya Narayan Vikram Samva: 2058-59

Mewar Adhipati Parmeshwar Ji Maharaj Shri Eklingji Vikram Samva: 2057-58

Vansh Vriksh Vikram Samva: 2056-57

Mewar Maharanaao ki Mudraye Vikram Samva: 2055-56

Vikram Samva: 2053-54

Hinduva Surya Maharana Pratap Vikram Samva: 2053-54

Maharana Mewar Foundation Award Vikram Samva: 2052-53

Maharana Pratap ki Sena Me Haldighati yudh (1556-Es.) ke kuch Pramukh Yodha Vikram Samva: 2051-52

Mewar ke Tirth Dham Vikram Samva: 2050-51

Vansanukram:- Rawal Ari singh Se Maharana Vikramaditya Vikram Samva: 2049-50

Vansanukram:-Bappa Rawal Se Rawal Vijay Singh Vikram Samva: 2048-49

Mewar Ratna Vikram Samva: 2047-48

Mewar Ratna Vikram Samva: 2046-47

Udaipur Rajya Mewar ke Maharana(Maharana Udaisingh ji Se Shriji Hujur Arvind Singh ji Mewar Tak) Vikram Samva: 2045-46

Mewar Ka Rajya Chinha Vikram Samva: 2044-45

Mewar Ka Rajya Chinha Vikram Samva: 2043-44

Shree Ganeshji

Rana Pratap

Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur(Poet Raghunath Kantha)

Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar –2 (R.K.)

Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar

Holi Festival - The City Palace Complex, Udaipur

Portrait of Maharana

Mewar Lithographs (Set of 6 post cards)

Tod's Annals of Mewar

Shri Mewar Vijay Panchang

Mewar Darikhane Ke Riti Rewaj Av Sanskar

The Hero of Haldighati

Maharana Kumbha Ki Bhartiya Sangeet Ko Den

Rajasthani Sahitya Me Lok Devta Pabuji

Court Painting In Rajasthan

Pratap gad Rajya ka ethihas

Dungarpur Rajya ka ethihas

Hindupati Maharana Sanga

Rajasthani Lok Sahitya

Polo In India(A Tribute to Maharj Prem Singh)

Rajasthan Ke Vegyanic

Mandir Shri Ambamataji Udaipur

Meera - Jeevan Aur Kavya (Bhag-1)

Mewar : The World"s Longest Serving Dynasty

Meera - Jeevan Aur Kavya (Bhag-2)

Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap

Banswara Rajya ka ethihas

Maharana Pratap Mahan Jivan Vruat Aur Krititav

Maharana

Maharana Pratap "The Hero of Haldighati

The Hero of Haldighati

Kaljayee Mewar

History of Mewar

Chandra Shekhar Mahimnna Strott

Anubhav Prakash

Chatur Vachnamrutt

Hardya Rahsiya

Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2065)

Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2064)

Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2063)

Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2062)

Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2061)

Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2060)

Shree Mewar Vijay Panchang (V.S. 2059)

Celebrating 50 years of a Living Institution

Long Exposure – The Camera at Udaipur, 1857-1957

Vastu Uddhardhorani

In a World of Gods and Goddesses

Court Painting In Rajasthan

Udaipur :The Fabled City of Romanace

Mewar Vanshiya Paramparik Avam Atyadhunik Sawariyen
Vikram Samva: 2067-68

Mewar Ke Paramparik Pan Ke Beede
Vikram Samva: 2066-67

Udaipur Rajmahal Ki Dyodia, Darwaje Avam Pol
Vikram Samva: 2065-66

Mewar Rajgharane Ke Upyog Me Ane Wale Tamjam, Tathat Avam Myane
Vikram Samva: 2064-65

Shriji Hujur Arvind Singh Ji Mewar
Vikram Samva: 2061-62

Sisodia Vansh Ke Kuldevta Nav Grahpati Shri Surya Narayan
Vikram Samva: 2060-61

Shiv May Samahit Shaktia
Vikram Samva: 2059-60

Sisodia Vansh Kay Kuldevta Nav Grahpati Shri Surya Narayan
Vikram Samva: 2058-59

Mewar Adhipati Parmeshwar Ji Maharaj Shri Eklingji
Vikram Samva: 2057-58

Vansh Vriksh
Vikram Samva: 2056-57

Mewar Maharanaao ki Mudraye
Vikram Samva: 2055-56

Hinduva Surya Maharana Pratap
Vikram Samva: 2053-54

Maharana Mewar Foundation Award
Vikram Samva: 2052-53

Maharana Pratap ki Sena Me Haldighati yudh (1556-Es.) ke kuch Pramukh Yodha
Vikram Samva: 2051-52

Mewar ke Tirth Dham
Vikram Samva: 2050-51

Vansanukram:- Rawal Ari singh Se Maharana Vikramaditya
Vikram Samva: 2049-50

Vansanukram:-Bappa Rawal Se Rawal Vijay Singh
Vikram Samva: 2048-49

Mewar Ratna
Vikram Samva: 2047-48

Mewar Ratna
Vikram Samva: 2046-47

Udaipur Rajya Mewar ke Maharana(Maharana Udaisingh ji Se Shriji Hujur Arvind Singh ji Mewar Tak)
Vikram Samva: 2045-46

Mewar Ka Rajya Chinha
Vikram Samva: 2044-45

Mewar Ka Rajya Chinha
Vikram Samva: 2043-44