Curating Udaipur: A Course in Museum Studies at The City Palace Museum, Udaipur

Professor Hallie Swanson with her introductory session

Curating Udaipur: A Course in Museum Studies - Module II was conducted as an in-person programme at The City Palace Museum, Udaipur, from 13th to 22nd July 2026. Jointly offered by the Rajasthani Bhasha Academy and the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), the ten-day course provided participants with a structured exploration of museum theory and practice through the cultural and historical landscape of Udaipur. The curriculum combined lectures, discussions, museum visits and field excursions to introduce participants to curatorial practice, collections management, conservation, museum education, heritage interpretation and digital heritage. A total of 56 participants attended the course.

Mr. Vishesh Kothari
addressing the session

The programme commenced with an orientation and introductory sessions by Professor Hallie Swanson, who outlined the objectives and structure of the course. Dr. Hansmukh Seth delivered lectures on Exhibition Design, followed by a guided visit to The City Palace Museum, enabling participants to examine exhibition planning and interpretation in practice. Ms. Anuja Mukherjee and Ms. Bhasha Shah conducted sessions on Museum Conservation Practices, introducing participants to preventive conservation and collections care. Dr. Shikha Jain presented a lecture on the Changing Role of Museums, focusing on museum governance, institutional management and funding models in the contemporary museum sector. Dr. Swati Jain delivered sessions on Museum Research, highlighting the importance of research and documentation in museum practice. The course concluded with sessions by Ms. Geetika Kumar, Ms. Vatsala and Mr. Vishesh Kothari from Team Rajasthan Bhasha Academy on Museum Education, Outreach and Intangible Cultural Heritage, exploring how museums engage diverse audiences through educational programming, community participation and the interpretation and safeguarding of living heritage. The classroom sessions were complemented by a field visit to Nagda and Eklingji temple, where participants examined the region's architectural, religious and cultural heritage, gaining first-hand experience in interpreting heritage sites within their historical and living contexts.

Visit of Dr. Ane Cornelia Pade to The City Palace Museum, Udaipur

From Left: Dr. Ane Cornelia Pade and
Shriji Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar

The City Palace Museum, Udaipur, was pleased to host Dr. Ane Cornelia Pade from 14th to 19th July 2026. An Affiliated Lecturer and PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge, Dr. Pade specializes in eighteenth-century fine and decorative arts, with research focusing on the artistic and social histories of European craftsmanship, porcelain, sculpture and courtly material culture. During her visit, Dr. Pade met with Shriji Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar to discuss strategic opportunities for the continued development of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) and the museum.
The meeting focused on strengthening international academic collaborations, enhancing curatorial museum interpretation and exploring future collaborative initiatives in research, specialized exhibitions and heritage conservation, further underscoring MMCF's commitment to fostering global scholarly exchange.