Author: Palak Jain

Reading books and writing brought me to UdaipurBlog Team. Currently I serve as a writer on UdaipurBlog.com

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Reviews

“Maharana” – The story of the Rulers of Udaipur

Maharana the story of rulers of udaipur

Maharana the story of rulers of udaipur

Udaipur has always been one of the finest piece of nature’s beauty. It always fascinates with its lakes, palaces, gardens and what not. But Brian Masters unfolds another facet of this City of Lakes in his newly launched book “Maharana”. In this book, he writes about the rulers of Udaipur who founded this city and ruled it for a long period stretching for nearly one thousand five hundred years in unbroken succession.

This is the first account of the long and colorful history of one very powerful State that has given many legends to India, foremost among them being Maharana Pratap. The author presents vivid portraits of such rulers that continue to inspire many lives and their influence on art and architecture of India. Despite the evolution of the State of Mewar from an independent ‘Princely State’ into a part of the democratic Republic of India, the rulers have not forgotten their vow to look after the people of this land on behalf of the local deity to whom it finally belonged. They are still the ‘custodians’ of the pledge and promise made by their ancestors to their guru.

Brian Masters is a master of non-fiction works, holding the experience of 25 books covering a wide range of subjects from French literature, to literary biography, criminal psychology, animal welfare, and moral philosophy. His narrative make the history come so real that it grips the reader from the beginning till the end. If you are fond of peeping into the past or adore non-fiction writings, then “Maharana” is sure to content your desire for a good book – a book that will take you on a journey into the past of our own city.

 

You can find more details about the book from : http://bit.ly/Maharana

Categories
News Social

The Dialysis – to Purify the Things

Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman_Court Martial_Udaipur_theatre

Since aeons, theatre has always been a strong medium of entertaining people while confronting them with reality. And reality can sometimes leave you amidst a cyclone of thoughts. One such burning truth was raised in the play “Court Martial” which was beautifully written by Swadesh Deepak and executed by a team of young and talented artists under the able direction of Shivraj Sonwal. Occasion was of World Theatre Day and the stage was of Sukhadia Rangmanch at Town Hall. With a very noble cause of ailing a very senior theatre artist Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman, who is suffering from a severe kidney disease, this play was dedicated to him who had been a source of inspiration for many.

Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman_Court Martial_Udaipur_theatre

The play takes you to an army court where a case has been presented for trial. Accused is Jawan Ramchandar who has been accused of killing one officer and grievously hurting the other. The court is presided by Colonel Sooraj Singh, a brave army personnel who has confronted death many a times in battle field. The trial at the court puts him in a confusing situation where he has to decide between moral judgment and legal judgment. At the end, despite of getting death sentence, the accused wins over the victim.

Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman_Court Martial_Udaipur_theatre

Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman_Court Martial_Udaipur_theatre

Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman_Court Martial_Udaipur_theatre

Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman_Court Martial_Udaipur_theatre

Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman_Court Martial_Udaipur_theatre

Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman_Court Martial_Udaipur_theatre

Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman_Court Martial_Udaipur_theatre

Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman_Court Martial_Udaipur_theatre

Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman_Court Martial_Udaipur_theatre

Mr. Rizwan Zahir Usman_Court Martial_Udaipur_theatre

The play forces us to put a question on the society in which we live; a society that proudly tags itself as ‘modern’. But a bitter truth is that some narrow-minded people form a part of it or rather I should say the most respected part of this society. These so-called ‘High Class People’ forcefully take away the pride and esteem of people merely on the basis of caste. Yes, crimes were committed, are committed and will continue to be committed by them against low caste people and against the whole society and humanity when tried at a larger scale. And the ‘point to be noted’ is that this prevails even in The Indian Army which does not hold any system of reservation at any of its ranks and positions. Sounds shocking but true!!

Photos by : Yash Sharma

Categories
Festivals Photos

[Pictures] Mewar Festival – a lively Celebration

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur

Colors of tradition spread out everywhere, Sparkling water of Pichola, Rajasthani women and girls elegantly dressed up, and beautifully decorated idols of Gangaur glittering in the beautiful light. Such was the charm of Mewar Festival at Gangaur Ghat. It felt as if everything around is tinted in rainbow – colorful and vibrant. As the folk tales say, these 16 days of Gangaur were the days when Parvati Ji stayed at her father’s home. These were the days of celebration, days to worship Gauri for a perfect husband and his well being. Today, Gauri Ji was given farewell amidst a big festival – the Mewar Festival.

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur
Look of Mewar

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

The celebration started with a procession, in which women carried the idols of Isar and Gangaur all the way from Clock Tower to the Gangaur Ghat. Then the Royal boat of Palace was taken out from Bansi Ghat to Gangaur Ghat which was the centre of attraction of the evening. Colorful boat in the glowing water of Pichola was truly worth watching. Then the artists showed various shades of culture in the cultural programme that followed.The Show started by the performance of renowned Maand Singer of Udaipur – “Maangi bai”; Tune of ‘Padharo Mahare Desh’ filled the air and traditional dance forms like ‘Ghoomar’ and ‘Kalbeliya’ took hold of the breath. On the whole, the whole festival served as an eye candy with its striking colors and glorious culture.

 

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

The best decorated award were won by the Rajmali Samaj who won the first prize and an amount of Rs. 11000. The second was the Kahar Bhoi Samaj while Maru Kumawat Samaj bagged the third spot.

Mewar_Festival_2012_Gangaur_Udaipur

I was so untouched from one of the best festivals of Rajasthan and that too purely dedicated to womenfolk. For those who are still untouched with its allure, UdaipurBlog have the best of pictures of this celebration. And for those who captured the view in their eyes, these photos will recall those amazing moments.

Photos By Mujtaba Rg & Yash Sharma 

Categories
Festivals

Awaited Mewar Festival – an euphoric celebration of Gangaur

Gangaur Festival Udaipur 2012

Gangaur Festival Udaipur 2012

Continuing with the mood of festivity and the spirit of celebration, here is the ongoing colorful festival of Gangaur, which commences from the day following Holi and continues for 18 days. Gangaur is one of the local festivals of Rajasthan which is celebrated by the womenfolk with great sparkle and fervor. Started by the rulers of state of Rajputana, this celebration is still continued with the same devotion and glory.

During these 18 days, married women worship Gauri, who epitomizes marital bliss or saubhagya, for the well-being and prosperity of her husband. Unmarried girls also observe fast for being blessed with good husband as Gauri got Shiv as her perfect consort. Girls and women make idols of Isar and Gauri out of clay and decorate them beautifully as if they instill life in those figures. They, themselves, dress up in bright and colorful dresses, prettily and elegantly. They rejoice and make merry, sing and dance throughout these 18 days.

The last day of the festival is a real magnificence and charm when Gauri is bided farewell in a grand procession. Married women place the idols of Isar and Gauri on their heads and take them to a well, pond or a lake while singing traditional songs.

Udaipur celebrates the last three days of Gangaur as “Mewar Festival”. Extending from 25th to 27th March this year, the festival offers a warm welcome to the spring. Women, dressed up in their best attire, take out a procession carrying the idols of Isar and Gangaur through various parts of the city. The procession ends at Gangaur Ghat of Lake Pichola by placing the idols in special boats amidst the air of singing and joy. After that starts the cultural programme which catches every eye with its beautiful performances. These three days of vibrant feast ends with a spectacular display of fireworks.

Lake Pichola During Gangaur

Pictures by : Rohit Gautam

Categories
Festivals

It’s our day – It’s Women’s Day

Happy Women's Day

Happy Women's Day

Aahhh!! What a pleasant co-incidence – Women’s Day and Festival of colors are on the same day as if it is inspiring every girl and women to soak the canvas of her life with new and vibrant colors of hopes, joys and success.

America, in 1908, dedicated 8th of March as the day to praise the contribution of women in various social and economic fields. The day was then accepted as International Women’s Day by the United Nations. It is the day to celebrate her success and triumph; a day to make her feel proud on being born as a woman that makes the pillars of family, society and country. If I would have been born even a couple of decades ago, I would not have been celebrating this day or felt so much proud on myself. But now, I can raise my head high and tell you a women’s journey of rising from a stone that costs nothing to a jewel which is priceless; a jewel that adds to the glaze and spark of the crown of society.

Statistics shows that male: female ratio has improved and there has been a decline in the numbers of female foeticide and infanticide. Graph of female education shows a steep rise with many glittering names that have reached the heights of glory. Law and Constitution has blessed her with rights and opportunities equivalent to men. Today, there is not a single field which is left untouched and unexplored by her, be it aeronautics, armed forces or sports.

Though the medals of our achievements are many, but a bitter truth is also that there are still many hurdles and obstacles that restrain many women from breathing in the air of freedom and liberty; orthodox and conservative society and ego-centered mentality of men being the two foremost and major hurdles. Failure to educate the masses supports these hurdles. There still exist those people who think that moving side by side with men and leaving their footprints in areas beyond the four walls is not the cake for women.

Crimes against women, cases of rapes, domestic violence, dowry, illegal female foeticide are increasing bringing disgrace to us. Justice and empowerment is still a difficult bird to catch when we can hear people blaming women herself as the reason behind these crimes. But I say, even if our dreams and desires are bigger than the boundaries of this male dominated society, we are not at all wrong when we are living by our values and ethics. When we are attached strongly to the ground by the roots of culture and values, then there is no harm in opening our wings and exploring the sky. And then no one can raise a finger or put a question mark on our victory and success.

If we wish to fulfill the dream of a complete development, then we will have to strengthen the status and position of women in the society because without supporting and fortifying the pillars one can never build up a palace. So it’s time to clear your minds of orthodox and conservative thinking and fill it up with new ideas and vision, a vision that holds everyone, male or female, equal.

Wishing all the girls and ladies a very Happy Women’s Day. Let’s rise up, grow, achieve all the heights and fulfill all our dreams.

 

Image Credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/arcticpuppy/

Categories
News

Kailash Kher to shoot his next album in Udaipur

kailash kher udaipur

kailash kher udaipur

Udaipur with its splendor, peacefulness, charm of lakes and magnificence of forts has always magnetized tourists all over the world. It has also been an inspiration for many, especially artists, singers and dancers, the talent and career of whom have been sparked off by the serenity and tranquility of the city. Renowned singer, Kailash Kher, adds up to the list of those who have shot up their films and albums in the City of Lakes.
Despite of his decision to take a break from Rajasthan after shooting a number of albums here, he has chosen Udaipur as the location for his next album. With the fear to bore his listeners and viewers with the consistency and invariability of the locations and to make his work typified as Rajasthani, he opted for new shooting venues. But the splendid colors, monuments and richness of culture allured him to shoot one of the songs out of 11 from his next album in Udaipur. He himself confirmed it while talking to one of the newspapers after giving a performance in World Sufi Spirit Festival in Jodhpur. Shooting will be done in next 2-3 months.
The theme of his latest album is one which holds the belief of everyone, the one which binds everyone in one thread irrespective of nationality, religion, caste and color; yes what it can be other than LOVE. It is the purest of all emotions that god has instilled in us.
I am desperately looking forward to this album of Kailash Kher. Aren’t you excited?? I know he will again drive his fans crazy with his songs and melodious voice. Wishing him all the best for his new venture..!!

Source: TOI

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More

Tips on How to Overcome the Examination Fever

examination fever

EXAMS EXAMS ON THE WAY

examination fever

EXAMS – one of the most dreadful words for every student, barring a few exceptions. They are those strenuous stages of student life that had pressurized every one of us. No matter whether you are appearing for your boards, or your entrance exams, or your graduation & post graduation exams, you go through the same level of anxiety and stress. And only one question hovers in our mind – Yarrr!! Ye exams hote hi kyun h… But yes, exams are important as they decide your next step, your whole professional career, and the most of all your capability for a particular field or a particular level.

A bit of tension and stress makes your performance even better and puts you a step ahead in the ladder of success. I mean, just imagine, would you have been able to solve those tricky Trigonometry questions or learn those dreadful formulas of physics if you would not have to give exams. No never. So if you are a bit tensed and nervous about your upcoming exams then Congratulations!! Your stress along with your hard work will definitely reward you. But but but, if your stress is ascending beyond your levels of control, this can prove to be a great hurdle in achieving your target besides creating chaos in your mind and body.

I think everyone of us knows what this ghost of exam stress looks like. Tiredness, difficulty in sleeping, loss of appetite, severe headache, despite of all efforts you can’t remember anything, uncontrolled anxiety and irritability – if you have two or more of these symptoms then beware!! It can bring a severe downfall in your results.  But we have got for you some of the best shots that are sure to drive away this ghost. You might have come across these steps in some of the newspapers or magazines, but may be this is the time to implement them.

  • Don’t under-estimate your powers and capabilities. Believe in yourself and you can win this world.
  • Set a target; your goal. Always set up a target that is one plus your potential. Work hard to achieve it and then even you will be amazed by your results. But that doesn’t mean that you strain yourself with undue pressure. If you got A instead of A+, that does not implies that you have failed.
  • Actions will speak not your anxiety or stress. If you cannot understand a topic or solve a problem, take help of your teachers and your friends in place of getting worried.
  • Make a time table. But make sure it’s a realistic one. No one can solve all the chapters of maths in one day. Don’t keep on studying one subject whole day. It won’t do any good besides bringing boredom.
  • Sleep tight at least for 6 hours. Yup I’m saying for 6 hours because I’m a student too. And no one can sleep soundly for 8 hours in exams, especially one who is suffering from sleeplessness. Don’t try to recall or revise while in bed; it can affect your sleep.
  • 15 minutes with the nature. Walk for some time on green grass early morning. Trust me cool breeze can do wonders on your mind.
  • Eat well. Never skip your breakfast. Avoid junk foods and large numbers of cups of teas and coffees. Stick to mom’s advice of taking fresh fruits and vegetables, curd and nimbu-pani. Always remember you won’t be able to learn when your stomach is empty.
  • Break to banta hei boss!! Don’t try to stretch yourself beyond your limits. Take a short break whenever you start feeling a bit bored or your mind is at its saturation point. You can listen music, or talk with your friends and family, or play with your pet but don’t start television or net.
  • Avoid comparing yourself with your friends. Everyone has his own competence, his own ways of learning and revising the things. So stop thinking about others and choose the method which suits you and your mind the most.

In the examination hall:

  • Don’t panic. Have faith in yourself and your hard work. If you have given your best, success will surely embrace you.
  • Breathe deeply and slowly. It will help to lower down your stress level.

 

After the exam:

  • No need of dissecting your answers. Things like “oh shit! I forgot to write this word in question 4” will only accentuate your worries and lower down your confidence level. You cannot change what you have already written in answer sheet. It’s time to focus on next exam.
  • Don’t start studying immediately for the next exam. Your mind needs to be refreshed from the stress it suffered for last 3 hours. Friends, FS, and coffee – can anything else work better than this?? But remember don’t waste your time much.

All the best to everyone who are going to appear for their exams. Remember always – YOU are THE BEST and the best always WIN. So just blast these exams..!!   🙂

Image Credits: Mumbai Mirror

Categories
Festivals

National Youth Day

National Youth Day

National Youth Day

A salary that can afford a good lifestyle, home sweet home in a good area of city, cars and bikes parked in the parking space, a life at peace with no worries….all this complete the frame of a perfect life. Isn’t it all that we all dream of and for what we struggle for?? Everyone wants an easy life. But today, as we celebrate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekanand, we need to think over one quote given by him – “Wake up, Rise and Move ahead!!”

Youth have always epitomized passion, strength, power, capabilities, zest and what not. But today only one word describes youth and that is stagnant. We don’t want to discover new horizons, new spheres, new dimensions. Certainly, we do have exceptions but those can be counted on fingers. And this is not enough. We need a revolution – A complete turn over, not only in politics and system but also in the society. We have to drain corruption and dirty politics out of our country, afford at least two times meal, proper shelter and clothes to everyone, make sure that every child gets educated, and end the discrimination made on the grounds of caste, religion and sex. Yes, the list seems to be endless but we have to do it.

This Youth is vigilant – aware about what is going around him; he has that capability to understand the problems that our country is facing. But a mere understanding of the problems, relaxing in your resting chair in your warm and cozy home, is not enough. It is time to “Rise”. Time to move out from homes and burn the streets and roads with a craving to change the world. Show everyone that Yes, we have that violent streak in our blood..!! It doesn’t mean that you start putting a real fire at things; it just means that we must have that heat of fire that can even melt a metal. A single person’s fieriness will not do it; we have to join hands and organize our capabilities and power to make things better and then the best.

I wish that this National Youth Day will stimulate the power lying inside us to spurt up and everyone will see a force rising up that will know no limits, no boundaries; just an enlightened vision for a better world and better society to live in. 😉

Photo Credits: Aneesh Jajodia

Categories
Photos

[Pictures] Shilpgram Day 4 – The Gujarat Day and Day 5 – The Rajasthan Day

shilpgram day 3

TV, Dance Reality Shows no doubt all can dance your feet off. You will be stunned looking at those hip hop moves, those lift in salsa. But they want be able to give you the essence of our old tradition, the flavor of rich diversity that India bold and all this you can get at one place and this is non other than Shilpgram. After so many years, I got a chance to float in the melodies of cultural event held at Shilpgram. Performers in their beautiful woeful dresses sitting in the front row and it gave a glimpse of low dazzling. Starting with the dance from Kerala, is a state of 750 dance forms. We went on a journey of Maharashtra. Where dancers were paying rituals to their goddess. Colorful marks, dashing moves, everything they performed took my breath away. Indian culture would always  be incomplete without a dance form “Aapno Rajasthan”. “Sari Duniya mai bhaya ho rahi hai tar tar ” made the crowd stand up at their place and dance. The cultural programmes of the Gujarat Day(Day 4) and Rajasthan Day(Day 5) were really worth a visit. For those who unfortunately missed it, UdaipurBlog gets the best glimpses for you by our Mujtaba R.G. 🙂

: Day 4 pictures :

shilpgram day 3

shilpgram day 3

shilpgram day 3

shilpgram day 3

shilpgram day 3

shilpgram day 3

shilpgram day 3

: Day 5 pictures :

Shilpgram Day 5

Shilpgram Day 5

Shilpgram Day 5

Shilpgram Day 5

Shilpgram Day 5

Shilpgram Day 5

Shilpgram Day 5

Shilpgram Day 5

Shilpgram Day 5

Shilpgram Day 5

Shilpgram Day 5

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A Salute to my Country – A Tribute to our soldiers

amarjyoti

amarjyoti16th December 1971 – Dawn declared India’s Victory over Pakistan; and Bangladesh got liberation from its illegal rule. Once again triumph of truth over evil was reaffirmed. Many soldiers lost their lives for our neighboring country.

16th December 2011 – A fine winter day with chilling breezes. Everyone was busy in his own life, seeking solutions to his own problems; flipping through the pages of newspaper, gossiping about the deflation in the market and biting cold adamant to break its records. But alas! One short article, present at the corner of page, was unable to catch hold of many eyes. And even if some pairs of eyes would have read that headline, they didn’t bother to read the whole of it. Not even 2 out of 10 random people had slightest of the hint about how bravely, 40 years back, our jawaans compelled Pakistan Army to surrender them and agree to make Bangladesh free of its rule. Even after mugging those numerous historical dates a number of times for G.K. and History exams, I also forgot this day and so did many.

Late at night, when history of this salient day became evident to me, I sank deep into a feeling of pride admixed with a sense of guilt. Pride over my country; pride over our most treasured possession, our soldiers, who not only guard our borders and give us a safe and peaceful life but also shed their blood fighting for the rights of a foreign country and its residents. Pangs of guilt took hold of me about how I forgot this cardinal event, not only this year but for past so many years. Lines from the famous song “Aee mere vatan k logo” kept playing in my head and I felt as if those soldiers are asking us to “zara yaad karo kurbaani”. I wondered when we can remember birthdays and anniversaries of our dear ones then why not these days which shine with the bravery and sacrifices of our soldiers.

Even if we had remembered this day or try to retain those upcoming dates, what we would have done??? Just a corner in the 16 pages of newspaper or 10 minutes story on news channels telling about the history at the back of the day. Maximum would be done our government which will put shawls around the shoulders which carried the cold and lifeless body of his young son or say two words to that wife whose eyes get wet even today on karvachauth. And we, the common masses, would just take it as one more event in the history of growing India.

Is that all we can do???  No not at all. Those martyred soldiers never had that selfish motive of being awarded with gallantry award nor did their family members demand for compensation money, certificates and medals. We need not make ‘Shahid Smarak’, big statues at circles or roads and bridges by their names. We only have to retain them inside our hearts, feel proud of their audacity and be grateful to them for leaving behind an easy, secured life to guard our nation

An appeal to all Indians – Though we are a day late but there is no date fixed for thanking someone. Let us give just 5 minutes out of 24 hours to praise those courageous soldiers and commemorate their countless sacrifices for us. That will be the best way to repay for their shed blood and their precious lives that they put at stake only to shield our lives. I hope now we will never forget these days of grandeur and the heroism of our army men that these days tell us.

JAI HIND…!!!