Isn’t that what happens to you when you’re happy and proud beyond limits? And why not? 8th November recorded 11,258 visits! Pleasure beyond measure. Going pretty good since the beginning of the month, on the 8th, it rose to a number we couldn't resist sharing with you. As much as we are happy to do so, we’d like to personally thank all those visitors who have ever visited City Palace Museum, Udaipur and made the monument such a favourite that it has become over the years.
Over 4 centuries old, The City Palace is a prized possession of the House of Mewar that is the World’s oldest living and serving dynasty. Built in A.D. 1559 by Rana Udai Singh II, father of Maharana Pratap, the majestic palace stands on a low ridge called Rana Magri (Rana’s Hill) overlooking the fresh water lake, Pichola. One of the most well planned structures, the City Palace assumes a shape of one edifice from the exterior, with canopies, towers, domes, cupolas, bastions, beautifully carved balconies and ornamental turrets. The building is a unique depiction of the architectural and artistic evolution of Mewar through centuries. The City Palace Museum, Udaipur proudly safeguards and preserves the cultural heritage and the time honoured traditions of the people of Mewar, even today.
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
- by Rabindranath Tagore
Rightly written and well absorbed for years, the words are still valued as ever-inspiring and help us break away from the clutches of time and social pressures and lead the mind into the new. Into the NOW.
Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur delivered an inspiring talk at ‘I Next Generation (NxG) International Convention on Family Business’ focusing on ‘Step Up: Taking the Family Business to the Next Level’ at Taj Exotica, Goa on 26th October 2013. He picked out living examples to bring home the point that the past must not be allowed to bind one’s actions of today. Why belong to a generation when we belong to NOW. True education as he said is new learning. And that must be applied to let yourself wander, explore and experiment. That’s how the new can be created. And the time to do this has never been better. Let’s begin NOW! “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
The gallery at the City Palace has sure been spreading its silvery charisma over its visitors since the launch. A repository of the much cherished artefacts and items of use from the royal house of Mewar, the Splendour of Silver is a vivid example of art, luxury and preservation. It also houses the religious items carved out in silver that were used to honour the deity at the Shree Eklingnath ji Temple. A tour through the gallery transports you to a world that leaves you awestruck and wondering if even a fraction of it is possible in today’s time!
The overwhelming response provoked Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) to launch a catalogue for the gallery that could capture the splendor and make it available for the world to experience. The catalogue is a lavish visual representation of every object in the exhibition. It includes a detailed description of each object from its age to the purpose to how it was used and much more makes the catalogue comprehensive. Beautiful pictures of each object and those from the pictorial archives of the Maharanas of Mewar enliven the catalogue.
The catalogue is available for purchase with special discounts on bulk orders. Write to us at mmhpt@eternalmewar.in to order your copy now!
Talking of globalisation, The House of Mewar is now reaping benefits from the seeds it sowed not long ago. Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar’s clear vision and immaculate efforts of taking the Living Heritage to the world has now magnetised the two.
Harvard Business School, USA recently invited Dr. Rajeshwari Narendran, Associate professor and ex. head, Business Administration at University College of Commerce & Management, Udaipur. She was invited to participate in the Global Colloquium on Participant-Centered Learning where she presented a case study on the Living Heritage of Mewar. The case study highlighted timeless leadership in all its glory at Harvard and was received with much appreciation. The research paper prepared by Dr. Narendran was supported by Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation.
About Dr. Rajeshwari Narendran
Dr. (Mrs.) Rajeshwari Narendran, PhD in Management, MBA, M.Com - Business Administration (Gold Medalist), FDP (IIM-Ahmedabad);Associate Professor & Ex. Head, Business Administration, University College of Commerce & Management Studies, Mohan Lal Sukhadia University, Udaipur. She is a popular trainer, HRD Consultant to many private and government institutes and a thorough researcher and social worker. She has been a supervisor for award of 17 PhDs so far and another 5 are in progress. Dr Rajeshwari Narendran is currently National Vice President-ISTD, has been actively contributing for the growth of ISTD since 1995 in various capacities. Click here to know her better.
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The wedding preparations are progressing jet-speed in the House of Mewar with each event taking place in the same elaborate style as used to be. In today’s time of overwhelming technology, most of us find e-invites the best way out. But the House of Mewar thinks otherwise. Even today, it prides itself in carrying out the much treasured customs and traditions, exactly how they were back then. To think of it, don’t we all still strive to follow the beautiful tradition of personal invitations? The roots never die after all! And why should they?
At the House of Mewar, the Manwar Patrika ( Invitation to God) is followed by ‘KumKum Patrika’ which is a ceremony in itself. KumKum is turmeric or saffron powder and considered auspicious for religious Indian ceremonies. This invite is for the closest family members like the married sisters or the uncle of the Maharana. In full grandeur, the rich brocade-clad invitation is carried out by a noble or a high standing officer of the court and hand-delivered to the esteemed guests. To the other invitees, this invitation reaches by post.
The royal house joyously looks forward to the wedding of Baojiraj Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of Udaipur with Maharaj Kumari Nivritti Kumari Singh Deo of Patna Balangir. The family is busy preparing for all the ceremonies yet to take place. In the same majestic opulence, of course!