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.
My laptop is placed strategically on the table overlooking the magnificent Lake Pichola. My camera full of treasures from Mewar is plugged into the laptop. A pile of archival paperbacks has made its place on the edge of my table. The coffee maker is brewing fresh coffee and I let the aroma of the beans surround me. I let open the window and let the fresh breeze in and type the first few words of what is soon going to be an intimate, yet openly classic, oral history at the center of which stands the living legend of contemporary Mewar – Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar.
As I gather my thoughts, I can easily tell that after voraciously reading about him, seeing him through people’s eyes, taking an exhaustive tour on the history and culture of Mewar and Shri Ekling Nath ji temple, this is still just a beginning. Only when I began to see Mewar through his eyes while practically living with him for days to see him work like an entrepreneur and retire for the day like a king; cherish the past with extreme fondness while keeping a speculative eye on the future; did I realise that the more I know him the more I wanted to know of him. I also wanted to know from him and those around him the stories and ideas that have given and continue to give life to the first among equals of India’s great royal families and houses.
2nd July, 2013 – The beginning
Though this is certainly not my first visit to Udaipur (that was in 1985), it is the second one that has begun to pull back the curtains of Mewar’s living heritage in ways I scarcely imagined when I first began. Two years in July of 20111 I had the honour of being the first person to have the privilege of creating an exhaustive photographic tour of Shri Ekling Nath ji temple. A detailed report and a collection of thousands of beautiful photographs came out of that tour and are in the process of finding their way to the “Eternal Mewar” website and into several scholarly publications. This trip beginning on June 26 from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, actually had its birth in a conversation I had with Shriji in March as I accompanied a group of 18 adult students of archaeology who have happily travelled from America to dig deep into the history of Mewar. While on that trip Shrij invited me to spend 30 minutes with him to consider a very special project he has been considering for some time: a project that will be one of the closest to my heart; a project that I will be proud to be remembered for - the book of the past and for the future; yes, the beginnings of a study of Shirji and Mewar as he sees it and as many who have shaped Mewar’s past and are shaping its future. Stay with me as I go along, uncovering the rich past and discovering the new horizons with a man whose ancestors 1400 years ago became the first of the custodians of Shri Eklingji(Siva)and whose commission continues into the 21st century.
About the author
Dr. James Daniel White, Jr. Ph. D. is a Professor of South Asian Studies and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Religious Studies at The University of North Carolina, Charlotte, USA. With an impressive academic background along with an envious professional experience and a prodigious set of publications and more than 60 scholarly researches under his wing, he needs little introduction. To know him better please click here.
Luxury trade magazine, Blackbook, has covered the opening of our music gallery – ‘Symphony of Mewar’ as well as the photo exhibition ‘Long Exposure’ in its June edition. It is indeed a pleasure to become a placeholder in this luxury bible. At the same time, we’re delighted to have found a sought after platform to enlighten readers of greater capacities with the arts of a golden era.
Remarking upon the idea behind the music gallery, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur said, “The foundation of this Music Gallery at City Palace is connected towards preserving Mewar’s living heritage.” The royal family of Mewar has always appreciated and patronised classical music. It was in Mewar that a new genre of temple music known as ‘haveli sangeet’ found its way into the court, setting foundations for Dhrupad and Dhamaar Gayaki. Elaborating on the photography exhibit, he adds, “This photographic exhibition is a veritable sea of stories and every frame tells a different one. While the stories and anecdotes are part of the family history, they are at the same time biographies of historical figures that were instrumental in bringing about paradigm shifts in the history of our country.”
About BlackBook
This monthly luxury trade magazine documents and archives the evolution of the Indian luxury industry and tracks the country's attempt at becoming a serious playground for the biggest international brands. With in-depth stories that dissect consumer behavior pattern, market white papers, interviews with the leading purveyors of Indian and international luxury, and features that track every new trend in the industry, the product brings the biggest luxury stories and news from India and around the world to the desks of people who matter within the industry. Readership: Decision-makers, global travellers and consumers of luxury. It is published by Mediascope Publicitions from Mumbai.
Monday, May 20th 2013 saw the opening of the royal gallery of musical instruments – Symphony of Mewar at The Zenana Mahal, The City Palace, Udaipur. This gallery is a tribute by Shriji to the Living Heritage of Mewar and a haven for music connoisseurs. It was inaugurated by Ms. Rolee Agrawal, IRS, Commissoner of Income Tax, Ahmedabad on the 20th.
On the day of inauguration, a guided tour of the gallery was followed by performances. Then were acknowledged and welcomed, the students and artists of Maharana Mewar Public School (MMPS), Udaipur. A delightful performance by the school orchestra created the perfect ambience and a platform to introduce Dr. Poonam Joshi and her accompanying artist, Ustad Naseer Husaain Khan on the tabla. The musical evening was a perfect curtain-raising ceremony for Symphony Of Mewar which promises to keep the heritage of Mewar alive and take its passion of music to the world.
A soft launch on May 18th witnessed 85 renowned tour guides expressing keen interest to get a preview of the gallery. They were highly impressed with the quality of work and displays and are eager to present it to the world. Mr. Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Executive Director, Historic Resort Hotels Pvt. Ltd. during his interaction with the guides, apprised them that MMCF has opened two new galleries of international level within a short span of 90 days.
Shriji commented, “Symphony of Mewar is a collection of one single family with most of the instruments being used by a family in the earlier times. The collection is unique and some items on display have never been seen by lot of people”
The gallery now welcomes you to step back in time for a while and experience the breathtaking royal musical instruments for yourself.
About Dr. Poonam Joshi:
Dr. Poonam Joshi (Kathak Dancer and Sitarist), hails from Nainital, Uttar Pradesh. She is a gold Medalist in Sitar from Rajasthan University, Jaipur and Doctor of Music in Sitar from Banaras Hindu University, Banaras. Presently she is Head of the Department of Music (Instrumental), Government Meera Girls PG College, Udaipur 313001, Rajasthan. She is 'A' Grade Classical (Sitar) Artist from All India Radio, Jaipur since January 2000. She has received several accolades over the years and has performed at various festivals and national level programmes.
Legend has it that the royal family of Mewar has always appreciated and patronized classical music. Amongst several names are Rana Kumbha, Rana Sanga, Rana Raimal, Meera Bai, Rana Amar Singh I and Rana Raj Singh I of the yester years. It was in Mewar that a new genre of temple music known as ‘haveli sangeet’ found its way into the court of Mewar and set foundations for Dhrupad and Dhamaar Gayaki.
The legacy of classical music and Dhrupad per say has come a long way, witnessing new developments and picking up more and more connoisseurs enroute. Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, the 76th Custodian of the House of Mewar prides himself in keeping the kindle alive. He is the Chairman and Managing Trustee of Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation and has been making innumerable successful efforts to keep the art, craft and music of Mewar alive on a global platform.
Symphony of Mewar, a royal collection of musical instruments is a tribute by Shriji to the Living Heritage of Mewar. The gallery stands amidst The Zenana Mahal, The City Palace, Udaipur. It will be an exclusive preview of the musical instruments that once belonged to the Maharanas of Mewar and created magical notes for the renowned music artists. An opportunity of a life-time and a beautiful example of passion, Symphony of Mewar shall raise its curtains on 20thMay 2013 for viewing.
We look forward to hearing from you if you have any relevant information to add to this post or would like to visit ‘Symphony of Mewar’.
Feel free to leave us a comment here or write to us at mmcf@eternalmewar.in