Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) has been committed to nurturing centres of excellence in heritage management, fine arts, the performing arts, education, ecological management, philanthropy, spirituality and sports.

Unique in having conceived and implemented the practice of ‘living heritage’ MMCF is nurturing its legacy through broad-based and sustainable platforms of development within Rajasthan, in India and through global outreach programmes. MMCF continues to pursue its mission of nurturing cultural values in society by adopting innovative methods of communication. Amongst the most important of these values is to recognise excellence, through appreciation and to acknowledge achievement.

Maharana Mewar Foundation Annual Scheme of Awards constitutes a major part of the activities of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), Udaipur. These Annual Awards were instituted in 1980 – 1981 to recognize college and school students, in Udaipur, for their academic and sporting achievements. The scope and spectrum of the awards has been steadily widening since 1981, now the Annual Awards Ceremony not only applauds students but also honours international and national scholars for their work of permanent value to society. Many now play a pivotal role contributing to Mewar, India on the world stage.

The ceremony that is taking place on Sunday the 5^th March 2017 starts with the presentation of certificates to students from schools and universities in Udaipur and across the State of Rajasthan. This is followed by the main Ceremony when the awardees gather on the dais to receive their awards from Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Chairman and Managing Trustee of Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur.

Announcing the State and Special awards, Convener of the Ceremony Dr. Mayank Gupta declared that these annual awards carry a cash prize, a ‘Toran’ plaque of honour, a citation certificate and a ceremonial shawl.

Maharishi Harit Rashi Award is being awarded to Prof. Ramakant Pandey from Jaipur who specialises in the study of Kavya-Shastra, Natya-Shastra, Philosophy, Modern- Sanskrit Literature, Vyakarana and Manu-scriptology. With 24 years of teaching experience and 20 years of research experience he is the most prominent Sanskrit – Shastra Scholar of India today. He has authored around 50 Books including, Kavyadeepika, Radhvallabh Ki Saraswat Sadhana, Sahityashastra etc, 38 Research Papers, 21 Articles, 17 self learning materials for Distance Learners and edited 7 Journals in order to restore awareness and the interpretation of the Sanskrit Language.

Another Maharishi Harit Rashi Award is being awarded to Dr. Lata Shrimali from Jaipur who has gained post graduate and doctoral degree in astrology and Sanskrit as well as bachelor of laws from the University of Rajasthan. As a learned authoress and a columnist, she has got published her articles on various topics of astrology in the leading news papers and magazines. More than 260 research papers have been published. Currently she is engaged in her pursuit of research in the field of astrology.

Another Maharana Mewar Award has been instituted to honour work of permanent value rendered to society in the field of social service, nation building and character building activities, contributed through educational methods. This year’s award is given to Gulabi Sapera, ‘Dhanvanti’ was born into nomadic Kalbeliya tribe in Ajmer, Rajasthan. A legendary folk artist, Gulabi conceptualized and choreographed her own dance style ‘Kalbeliya’ that is now identified across the globe. The worldwide popularity of Kalbeliya dance form along with the efforts of Gulabi has found a place on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In 2016 The Government of India awarded her with the civilian honour of the Padma Shri for her contribution to the art of folk dance.

Another Maharana Mewar Award is given to Yatindra Mohan Pratap Mishra, Poet, Editor and Cinema Scholar. He has written four collections of Hindi poetry to his credit Yada Kada, Ayodhya Tatha Anya Kavitayein, Dyorhi Par Aalap and Vibhas. As a Music and Film critic he has also written Girija (The life and works of thumri singer Girija Devi), Devpriya (Conversation with the danseuse Sonal Mansingh) and many more. He is a recipient of numerous awards including Bhartiya Jnanpitha Fellowship; Raza Foundation Award, Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi Award; H.K. Trivedi Memorial Young Journalism Award etc. He has worked as a Channel Advisor to DD Bharati (Doordarshan Kendra, Prasar Bharati, New Delhi) for the term 2014-2016. Recently he has published a book on the Musical Journey of the legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar titled Lata: Sur-Gatha.

Maharana Mewar Award is also awarded to Master Warrant Officer K.L. Rao (retd.) from Udaipur, Rajasthan who has served the Indian Air Force for nearly 39 years mainly in Fighter Squadrons. He is also an expert aircraft technician with a wide ranging experience in fighter bomber aircraft. After settling down to his civil life at Udaipur, Rajasthan, he has written two books entitled ‘Indian Air Force – Glorious Past to Present’ and ‘History of the Indian. Both are a valuable addition to the limited literature available on air power in India. The books are informative and useful for those interested in the many different aspects regarding national security. He was one of the recipients of President’s Colour when his squadron was presented Colour on 15^th December 1979.

Maharana Kumbha Award is awarded to historian Dr. Mallika Bohra, Dungarpur, Rajasthan. She studied for a Post PG Diploma in Archaeology and Ancient History. She gained her PhD in ‘Fresco tradition of Dungarpur State Social and Cultural from early 18th century to 1940’ in 2004.She also submitted her Post Doctoral Research thesis in 2010 on ‘Architecture of Dungarpur State during the 18th Century’. She has authored many books including Dungarpur Rajya Ki Bhittichirankan Parampara: Samaj Evam Sanskriti; 18^th Century Ki Sthapatyakala; Prachin Bharat Ka Itihas Volume 1, Part 1 and many more. Presently she is working as a Lecturer in the History Department at Maharana Pratap Government PG College, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.

Another Maharana Kumbha Award is being awarded to Lalit Sharma who is an eminent writer from Jhalawar, Rajasthan. He completed his MA in ancient history architecture and did BEd in History. He played a challenging role in enlightening Hadoti and Malva History with its Sculptures, Temples and Forts. He has discovered 18 Shilalekha (Khinchi) at Gugore Fort Chhabra Baran. He has contributed to 1500 publications in various international and national journals. He has authored several books including Gagron Fort, Saint Pipaji, Jhalawar, History of Jhalawar, Jhalawar and Hadoti Murti etc.

Maharana Sajjan Singh Award is awarded to Ram Swaroop Sharma (Jangid), Jaipur Rajasthan, master for his craft known as ‘Tarkashi Inlay’ (wire inlay work on wood) for the last 43 years. He was bestowed with the most prestigious Shilp Guru Award from Ministry of Textiles, Government of India in 2014 for his contribution in Tarkashi Inlay (brass, copper and silver wire inlay).

Another Maharana Sajjan Singh Award is awarded to Gopal Swami Khetanchi who is a Painter from a small town Sardarshahar, Churu, Rajasthan. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Drawing and Painting from University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. He is associated with another art form which is Calendar Kitsch. Distinguishing features of his style are uniqueness, delicacy and swiftness of drawing. He is known for giving a unique Indian or Rajasthani touch to his works, especially to textiles and background. He believes that while art may not offer solutions to social problems, it helps bring them into focus. He is searching for authenticity through his representational art because he believes this makes it more accessible to the viewer and his work can be unconstrained on canvas.

Dagar Gharana Award is awarded to Ustad Ahmed Hussain and Ustad Mohammed Hussain, two brothers, who sing classical Ghazals, from Jaipur, Rajasthan. They started their singing career in 1958 as classical and thumri artists on All India Radio, Jaipur. Their first album ‘Guldasta’ was successfully released in 1980. Since then they have released about 50 albums including Naat, Rifaqat, Pyaar Ka Jazba, Kashish, Dil Ki Baat, Ai-Saba, Maan Bhi Ja. Despite having completely different voices, they have masterfully blended them together, with characteristic coordination of beautiful lyrics and their dulcet voices have enabled them to leave an indelible mark on the hearts and souls of Ghazal listeners everywhere. They are both a unique phenomenon in the world of ghazals. Their popularity and versatility is undisputed.

Moti Meena is awarded the Rana Punja Award. She is resident of Manpur village, Salumber which is 60 Km from Udaipur, Rajasthan. She has overcome her personal struggles to emerge as a committed healthcare worker. Around 2007, she joined Aajeevika Bureau, a non-government organization that was working in the remote villages of Salumber block, running a family empowerment programme for rural women. Today, she is posted at Aajeevika Bureau’s Berawal clinic, Salumbar. She has set her sights high and believes that – “When one steps outside home, one’s knowledge increases”. Now she wants to know everything!”

Aravali Award is awarded for the outstanding achievements in sports and games from Rajasthan. This year, one awardee is Suresh Khoiwal, an International Volleyball Player from Fateh Nagar, Udaipur, Rajasthan. He represented India in Junior Men Volleyball Team at International Volleyball Tournament held at Kelibia, Tunisia in 2013; 16th Asian Junior Men’s Volleyball Championship held at Uremia, I.R. Iran in 2012. Another Aravali Award is given to Dilip Khoiwal who is an International Volleyball Player from Fateh Nagar, Udaipur, Rajasthan with already many successes at International, National and State levels. He was selected recently for the prestigious Rajasthan State Sports Prize ‘Maharana Pratap Award – 2015’ by the Sports Council, Rajasthan. In 2009 Dilip Khoiwal was selected for the Indian Volleyball team to participate in the Youth World Championship held in Italy where the team secured 7th place.