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