Packed event line-up at Udaipur’s City Palace

One of India’s finest heritage destinations, the City Palace Museum in Udaipur, has a glittering line up of events in the first five months of the year 2018

The schedule taking place in the heart of regal Rajasthan includes a recital by world-renowned French cellist Sonia Wieder-Atherton and lecture by Professor John S. Hawley.

Below is the detailed list of upcoming events at City Palace Museum:

Lecture on Mewar paintings by Prof. John S. Hawley

16:00 – 18:00, Friday January 5, 2018

MMCF Conference Hall

In January The City Palace Museum welcomes Prof. John S. Hawley, Claire Tow Professor of Religion at Barnard College, Columbia University.

An author/editor of more than 20 books, Prof. Hawley will share his knowledge of the Sūrsāgar – a popular vernacular text devoted to the childhood antics of one of Hinduism’s most beloved gods, Krishna. In particular he’ll be speaking about illustrations to the Sūrsāgar created in Udaipur during the late seventeenth to early eighteenth century.

This is a non-ticketed event.

200 years of treaty between Mewar’s Maharana Bhim Singh and the British Political Agent, Lieutenant Colonel Tod

Saturday January 13, 2018

Zenana Mahal courtyard

On January 13, 1818 Mewar signed a treaty with Britain, brought to Udaipur by newly appointed British political agent Lieutenant Colonel James Tod. He went on to spend four years in Udaipur, helping to develop a fruitful relationship between the British East India Company and Mewar. Far more than a mere political resident, Lieutenant Colonel Tod became a geographer, historian, archaeologist and an author.

This special two-week exhibition will celebrate Tod’s love affair with Udaipur and Rajasthan, and his role in helping to reorganise and rejuvenate Mewar’s economy. Reproductions of paintings from the museum’s collection and other images related to Lieutenant Colonel Tod will be on display, alongside information boards highlighting the key role he played in shaping the history of Udaipur.

No special tickets will be required apart from museum entry.

Holika Dahan Ceremony

Thursday March 1, 2018

City Palace

Udaipur’s City Palace will be filled with light, music and colour during the two-day festival of Holi. Also known as the festival of colours, it marks the end of winter and beginning of spring, signifying the victory of good over evil.

On the first day of the festival, Holika Dahan, visitors to the City Palace will have the opportunity to watch as Udaipur’s Mewar family marks the event in time-honoured fashion. A spectacular procession of horse-drawn carriages, musicians, liveried palace staff will travel to the Manek Chowk. A ceremony will culminate in the burning of an effigy of Holika, lighting up the night sky.

Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) Annual Awards Distribution Ceremony

Sunday March 11, 2018

Manek Chowk

Udaipur’s City Palace will become a hive of activity on March 11 as visitors from around the world gather to attend the MMCF Annual Awards Distribution Ceremony. Now in its 36th year, the event constitutes a major part of the foundation’s activities, recognising individuals who’ve excelled in their chosen field and made a notable contribution to society. An international award, the Colonel James Tod Award, honours a foreign national who has contributed through their work of permanent value an understanding of the spirit and values of Mewar. Past recipients include Oscar-winning British film director Richard Attenborough and former chairman of the British Library, Sir Colin Lucas.

The Manek Chowk, the palace grounds of the City Palace, will come alive with colour and excitement in time for the ceremony. More than 1,800 guests, many from overseas, will gather to applaud the achievements of awardees and soak up the unique atmosphere of this annual event.

Rajasthan Day

Friday March 30, 2018

City Palace Museum

Celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage and preserving it for future generations is central to the work of the MMCF. Rajasthan Diwas 2018 marks 69 years since the state’s formation in 1949, and a two-week exhibition will be held to mark the event. Reproductions of historical photographs from The City Palace Museum’s collection will be on display, alongside a timeline documenting the history of the formation of the state of Rajasthan.

No special tickets will be required apart from museum entry.

Maharana Sangram Singh Jayanti

Monday April 9, 2018

City Palace Museum

This April, the City Palace Museum will take the opportunity to celebrate Maharana Sangram Singh I (r. 1509 – 1527) and his role in helping to shape the heritage and culture of Mewar. Known as Mighty Sanga, he was a great warrior and the first ruler to bring 16 Rajas and Maharajas under one flag. His idea was to defeat Ibrahim Lodi and to stop the invasion of India by Mughal invader Babur. During his reign, Maharana Sangram Singh oversaw the largest territorial expansion since the beginning of the Mewar dynasty.

Visitors to The City Palace Museum will be presented souvenir lapel pins depicting Maharana Sangram Singh, and prasad, offerings, will be distributed. Information leaflets detailing the fascinating life story of the Maharana and his spectacular achievements will also be made available.

World Heritage Day

Wednesday April 18, 2018

Following on from successful events in recent years, The City Palace Museum will once again host a Guide Orientation Programme to coincide with the annual World Heritage Day. This global event, promoted by the International Council for Monuments and Sites, focuses on the importance of cultural heritage to people’s lives and the need to protect and conserve it.

A series of lectures will allow guides from The City Palace Museum an opportunity to develop their knowledge of the history of Mewar and learn new conservation skills. Lectures in previous years have covered a variety of topics ranging from the lives of specific Maharanas of Mewar to the geoheritage of the Udaipur region.

International Museum Day

Friday May 18, 2018

Celebrated annually by cultural institutions around the world since 1977, International Museum Day provides the perfect opportunity for Udaipur’s City Palace Museum to raise awareness of the importance of the Living Heritage of Mewar.

Students from across the city of Udaipur will have the chance to visit the museum and take part in a host of fun activities, all designed to help them look, think, imagine and discover.

Details sourced from Indiagbnews.com