Fateh Prakash Palace Convention Centre welcomed elite guests on 16th October 2013 to its Sabhagaar Conference hall, The Durbar Hall, Fateh Prakash Palace Convention Centre, Udaipur for MLSU International Conference of Vice Chancellors from South Asia. Themed as ‘Nurturing new avenues in University education in South Asia Challenges and prospects’, the conference was organised by Mohan Lal Sukhadia University, Udaipur; Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi and Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi. Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar addressed the audience and then as the conference gained pace, guests will be introduced to share their thoughts.
Followed by the conference was organised a lunch at the forever favourite Satkar Banquet Hall The Durbar where the guests enjoyed lunching and networking in the exquisite ambiance.
A timeless love saga that climaxes as a reunion of true love and ropes in the passion of gambling and the strings attached. ‘A Throw of Dice’ is a silent film that dates back to 1929 and is based on the pivotal gambling episode of the famous Indian epic, ‘The Mahabharata’.
It’s notable that Udaipur has been a preferred location ever since the early 20’s. It cast its spell over Franz Osten in 1929, the maker of ‘A Throw of Dice’, as well. This was the time of Maharana Fateh Singh ji’s reign who realised the worth of taking Udaipur on a global platform even back then. The beautiful romantic city still continues to enchant people, the world over. A recent modern day Bollywood blockbuster, ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ rings a bell, doesn’t it? Now that’s what we call a ‘Living heritage’ in its true glory! Today, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar is taking this initiative of promoting Udaipur to the world in full force.
‘A Throw of Dice’ is a visual treat and has been in the British Film Institute (BFI)’s archives since 1945. A New York Times review stated, "There’s hardly a frame in the 1929 film ‘A Throw of Dice’ that doesn’t provide a surge of visual pleasure”, while a Guardian reviewer, Peter Bradshaw, called it, "a rare and fascinating gem". The Observer reviewer, Philip French, termed it, "a remarkable silent movie". Digitally restored in 2006, the movie was re-released at the Luminato Festival, Toronto, Canada, in 2008.
The movie had starred Seeta Devi and Himanshu Rai, two gems of the silent Bollywood era. Their grandson, Peter Dietze, Managing Director, Turner Dietze Creative and daughter Christina Dietze from Australia called on Shriji recently. The meeting took place at Shriji’s royal abode, Shambhu Niwas Palace. Peter stated that he is in possession of a lot of material from Devika Rani and truly treasures the collection. He wishes to put up a travelling exhibition of the archival material. Shriji and the entire Eternal Mewar family blesses him to have gestured to not just keep his grandmother’s memories alive but also to immortalize so many legends together, including Udaipur. We wish Peter all the luck in taking this forward.
After forty five days of the Krishna Janmashthami, the Jal Jhulani Gyaras will be celebrated today. The celebration begins at the Vishnu Temple at the City Palace, Udaipur followed by a Ramrewari procession of Pitambarraiji Maharaj in the evening. The devotees carry Thakur ji in a silver palki to Lake Pichola, chanting the words ‘Haathi ghoda palki, jai kanhaiya lal ki’. The procession will proceed to Rameshwar Ghat (the promenade). Here, the lord will be given a bath in the freshly arrived lake water which is considered sacred during the Shukla Paksha or the waxing phase of the moon.
A procession on Jal Jhulani is also organised from Shree Eklingji Temple to Indrasarovar in which the silver idol of Ganeshji is seated in the silver Ramrewari and carried for worshipping on the promenade of Indrsarovar alongwith Jageshwarji Mahadeoji.
After Jal Poojan (water bath) and Shaligram Poojan, the procession will return to temple premises for Aarti. Thereafter symbolic blessings are made by the priest of court in terms of mantra chanting and prasada to Shriji Arvind Singh of Mewar. This ceremony is called Ashika and marks the end of Jal Jhulani Ekadashi.
Hariyali Amavasya, the moonless night of the Shravan month, unites the colours and cultures of Rajasthan and binds them with celebration. The celebration of monsoon. The celebration of miles and miles of green all around.
This day can be traced back to the golden past of Rajasthan. Lord Shiva has been worshipped on this day for wealth and prosperity and in the hope of a great agricultural season. In the event of this day, a big fair is organized in full pomp and show for the common people of and around Udaipur. The fair gathers all the people together acting as a means of national integration. All traditions attached to Hariyali Amavasya are followed unbroken till date by Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar. Inside the palace, a musical procession is carried out followed by a small ceremonial puja. Ladies can be seen adorned in the typical Lehariya attire (symbolic of water).
Different folks, different strokes!
Hariyali Amavasya is celebrated with utmost fervor in Madhura Dwarkadhish Temple, Banke Bihariji Temple in Vrindavan, and many other temples of Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. This day culminates the Phool Bangal Utsav in Vrindavan Banke Bihari Temple. Hariyali Amavasi corresponds with Ashada Amavasya in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. It is celebrated as Chukkala Amavasya in Andhra Pradesh, Bheemana Amavasya in Karnataka, Gatari Amavasya in Maharashtra.
The one thing that remains common is the beautiful welcome of the monsoon and the expression of happiness.
The Durbar Hall has played host to numerous eminent events so far. Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur, being one of the many who returned for an immaculate experience. The overwhelming success of the first Leadership Summit by the institute brought them back for yet another. This time the Guest of Honour had been none other than the icon of Mewar who leads by example – His Highness Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar. Held on 3rd August 2013, the summit was taken to the next level by including the entire Udaipur city.
Based on the theme, ‘Need to Redesign’, three panel discussions involving the stalwarts of the Indian industry shall highlighted:
Indian economy: shift in focal point from urban to rural
Pressing need to redesign supply chain
Evolution of leadership: changing roles and styles
The keynote speaker for the summit was Mr. Ashok Chawla, Chairman of the Competition Commission of India. The who’s who of the Indian industry taking active part in the panel discussions included Mr. TCA Ranganathan, CMD, EXIM Bank and Mr. Sudhir Kumar Shetty, Group COO, UAE Exchange.
Fateh Prakash Palace is glad to have welcomed keen participants for an elaborate discussion on the current issues in and around the globe and delivered an experience to remember. Yet again!