Categories
Places to Visit

Museums in Udaipur you must know about

Udaipur has a very interesting history and the city is quite different from the rest of the Rajasthan. Udaipur has a great system of lakes, Ahar/Ayad river passes through the city, and the entire city is encompassed by lush Aravali hills. The terrain, the history, and the culture make the city an amazing one. The relics of the bygone era are preserved in the Museums in Udaipur and is something every local or tourist must pay a visit to. On the occasion of International Museum Day, let us take you on a virtual tour to the different museums in Udaipur.

Here is a list of Museums in Udaipur

 

The City Palace Museum, Udaipur

Source: TripAdvisor

The most celebrated museum in Udaipur is the City Palace Museum, which was set up in 1969 by Maharana Bhagwat Singh ji. It was to preserve the culture, heritage, and traditions of the people of Mewar. The museum contains relics including miniatures paintings, silver artifacts, recreational items of the royals, swords, and artillery and so many antiques.

Timings: 9:30am – 5:30 pm

Tickets:

Adult: Rs 300

Child: Rs 100

Camera: Rs 250

Guide: Rs 250

Audio Guide: Rs 200

Location:


Ahar Archeological Museum

museums in udaipur
Source: UdaipurBlog

This museum was established in 1960 by the Archaeology and Museums Department of the Government of Rajasthan. This is a site museum which means that this museum is located in the vicinity of the excavation site itself.

The museum contains copper and terracotta pottery objects that are more than 3000 years old. It also houses sculptures of Hindu gods and ‘tirthankars’ (Great Jain teachers) from the 8th to 16th centuries AD. Here you can see earthen pots, iron objects and other artifacts that were a part of the lifestyle of prehistoric people. Some things are acknowledged to belong to 1700 B.C. Two of the main attractions are the metal statue of Lord Buddha and a statue of “Vishnu-Nag-Nathan” which are a great wonder to watch.

If you are interested to know more about the archaeology and origins of Ahar civilization, do watch the detailed documentary below:

Timings: 10:00 am – 5 pm, Closed on Fridays

Tickets: Rs 20

Location:


The Vintage and Classic Car Museum

museums in udaipur
Source: Trawell

Introduced in 2000, the Collection Includes 22 Splendid Cars. You can also have lunch at the adjoining Garden Hotel. Some of the cars are more than 70 years old. The collection embraces Rolls-Royce, MG-TC convertible, Cadillacs, Vauxhall-12, Ford-A Convertible, Mercedes – Benz, Chevrolet bus and other beautiful vintage cars.

Timings: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Ticket: Rs. 250

Location:


Bagore ki Haveli Museum

museums in udaipur
Source: UdaipurBlog

West Zone Cultural Centre decided to restore as well as renovate Bagore ki Haveli in the year 1992 and set up a museum to restore its architecture. One can find, jewelry boxes, dice-games, hukkahs, pan boxes, nutcrackers, hand fans, rose water sprinklers, copper vessels and other household objects of the everyday life of the bygone era. The museum showcases the chambers of royal ladies, their dressing rooms, bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, worship rooms and recreation rooms as well.

Timings: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm

Tickets:

Foreigner (Adult/children): Rs. 100/-

Indian (Adult): Rs. 50/-

Indian Children (Age between 5 to 12): 25/-

Camera/Video: Rs. 50/-

Location:


Moti Magri Museummuseums in udaipur

There are paintings of Rajput kings and royal queens and models of the Haldi Ghati Battle and Chittorgarh Fort. This museum also contains an exhibition of the arms and weapons used in ancient fights by soldiers. The Pearl hill or Moti Magri is a great spot to visit, overlooking the lake Fatehsagar in the front and Pichola-Swaroop Sagar from the back.

Timings: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm

Tickets:

Adult: Rs 50

Child: Rs 15

Location:


The Crystal Gallery

museums in udaipur
Source: Rajasthan Tourism

The Gallery contains artifacts created by F. & C. Osler in the year 1877. These are furniture and cutlery, exclusively ordered by the Maharana Sajjan Singh and consist of Crystal chairs, tables, beds, sofas, dinner sets, perfume bottles, decanters, glasses, plates etc. The Maharana passed away before these crystals arrived so these were kept packed and intact for 110 years. In the year 1994, the gallery became open for public.

Timings: 9 am – 7 pm

Tickets:

Adult: Rs 500

Children: Rs 300

Location:


Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal Museum

museums in udaipur
Source: UdaipurBlog

The Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal museum displays a remarkable collection of ‘Lok Kala’ or Folk Art. It was founded by Padma Shri Devi Lal Samar in 1952. The museum houses folk heritage of India, traditional attires, ornaments, miniature paintings and many other art objects. In other words, one can say that the museum is devoted to the culture and folk art of states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Artifacts found here consist of wooden articles, old musical instruments paintings, masks, puppets, pottery, rural dresses etc.

Timings: 10 am – 6 pm

Tickets:

Adults: Rs 40 and other tickets include video/audio cameras

Location:


Tribal Research Institute Museum (TRI’s)

museums in udaipur
Source: UdaipurTimes

It is one of the 18 Tribal Research Institute of the nation. MLV (Manikya Lal Verma) Tribal Research Institute provides awareness about Mewar’s tribal communities. The museum houses artifacts belonging to the tribal communes, along with a library on tribal life and issues. The museum also has multiple household articles, costumes, arms and armors, musical instruments, ethnic art and wall paintings, agricultural implements, grain containers, handicrafts, ornaments and so much more.

Timings: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Location:


Tribal Museum Shilpgram

museums in udaipur
Source: TripAdvisor

A tribal museum was set up in 1995 inside Shilpgram. Here history, life, and cultures of the tribal communities like Bhil, Mina, Garasia, Kathodi, and Saharia have been exhibited with the help of photographs and ethnographic objects. Shilpgram or ‘Craftsmen Village’ is an initiative to promote the rural and tribal craftsmen by providing a platform to exhibit and sell their products. Shilpgram has about 26 huts which depict the lifestyle of the rural tribes.

Timings: 11am – 7pm

Tickets

Indian (adult and child): Rs.30

Foreign visitors: Rs.50

Location:


Zonal Anthropological Museum

Out of 19 government museums in the state, Udaipur division has four – situated in Ahar, City Palace, Dungarpur, and Chittorgarh. Udaipurites are lucky to have a special museum at the anthropological survey of India, Western regional center at Pratapnagar inaugurated in March 2018. The popularity of the museum was evident from the fact that it was visited by no less than 9000 persons in the very first year. The diverse ways of life followed by various communities such as Kotwalia, Naika, Varlui, Rebori, Marwara, Meghwal, Rathwara, Tadi, Bhil, Gameti, Ahir and Jat of Gujarat as portrayed in the museum, make it a special one.

Source: Google Photos

As also communities such as Sahoria, Damor, Bhil, Brahman, Jain, Rajput, Dangi, Bhopa, Jogi, Langa, Lohar, Mangryar, Mudlim, Kumbhar, Prajapat, and Suthar of Rajasthan. Lifestyles of groups such as kali, Patel, Mahyavansh, Mitka, Halpati of Daman and Diu are presented in the museum so as to highlight the different socio-economic milieus with the help of specimens, sketches, charts, maps, and photographs. Specimens exhibited to help in the understanding of various cultural adaptation not only show their exotic appearance but also showcase the biocultural richness of the people of Western India.

Till date, the regional center has collected about 6000 ethnographic objects from different districts of Gujrat and Rajasthan from all communities including tribal. The specimens can be functionally classified as agriculture, hunting, fishing, etc. Bows and arrows, ornaments, musical instruments, crafts, objects, ritual, objects, pre-historical material and so on. The center arranged exhibitions on various themes at a different location such as Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jaipur during Shilpgram Utsav and other occasions.

(Information by Ashok Mathur)

Location:

 How many of these have you visited?

Note: The above article is for information purpose. While we have tried our best to ensure the latest available time and ticket prices, etc., the respective museums have the right to change them. Readers are advised to do their research on timings/tickets/availability, etc.

Categories
People

Devi Lal Samar | People from Udaipur You Should Know About

Our city – Udaipur is completely filled with beauty in and out. And this beauty is not reflected in just its history, culture and its places, but also in its people. There are some gem of the people belonging from Udaipur who, with their hard work and success, have not just made the city but the entire nation proud.

But sadly, with time we tend to forget the accomplishment of such people of the city. The series ‘People from Udaipur you should know about’ tends to glorify the journey of these famous and triumphant people from Udaipur who have become an epitome of success in their lives.

 

Devi Lal Samar

Devilal Samar was born on 30th July 1911 in an Oswal family of Udaipur. He had a great interest in dance, theatre, puppetry and all the folk art forms of Rajasthan. For 10 years, he was a music, dance, and language teacher in Vidhya Bhawan school of Udaipur. After teaching in the school, he used to go to the nearby villages and spend his day amidst the artists residing there.

Folk dance and local art forms weren’t given much respect back then. The people who had acquired the art used to feel inferior of themselves. These people belonged to the lower castes and untouchables. Devilal wanted to build a platform for all such people who can showcase their talent and get respect and livelihood against it.

At the age of 42, he left his teaching profession and decided to spend his life in promoting the folk and local art forms. He determined to establish one organization that will give a boost to these abandoned people and their art forms. In the year 1952, he established Lok Kala Mandal in Udaipur.

Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal

But his mission wasn’t accomplished yet. He made a list of all the renowned artists from nearby places who were not given the respect they deserved, collected them at one place, appealed to the government to provide them lands to live and conducted many functions and events that helped all these artists to live a life of respect with their heads held high. This act of him helped many such people to get jobs in radio, Television shows, theatre and even in education.

 

Beginning of Puppetry

During one of his tours in Rajasthan, he found an old man who had mortgaged his puppets to a businessman. With one puppet remaining with himself, he was begging on the street trying to entertain the wayfarer. It hurt Devi Lal to look at artists in such conditions. He gave 40 rupees from his pocket (back in that time) to the old man so that he can release all his puppets. It struck his mind that this art form needs Kala Mandal’s attention. From then on, Puppet shows and puppetry became a major part of Lok Kala Mandal. He also began the first puppet festival in the year 1952. Today, there’s a separate puppet theatre in Lok Kala Mandal where puppet shows are conducted at regular intervals.

Achievements and Notable Works

  • In the year 1968, Devilal Samar was awarded the civilian award ‘Padmashree’ for his excellent work in the field of art and culture by Indian Government.
  • The state government made him the director of Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi in the year 1967.
  • In the year 1969, he was awarded the title of ‘Loknatyashree’ at Kalidas Akademi in Ujjain.
  • In his lifetime, he has published several Rajasthani theatre, puppetry and art books in Hindi some of which are Bhartiya Loknrtiya, Antarman, Lokrang, Rajasthan ka Lok Sangeet, Rajasthani Loknatya, Rajasthan ke Rawal, etc.
  • He established folk-theatre museum Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal which escalated the importance of folk art and culture of Rajasthan.

Devilal has dedicated all his life to folk art, dance, music, folk drama, puppet and to give a life of respect to all the artists in the society.

Do you have a feedback regarding the article? Or have something to share of your own? Write to me at juhee@udaipurblog.com, we would love to feature your story.

Categories
News

राजस्थान की इस धरोहर को क़रीब से जानने और सीखने का मौका

kathputli making
picture credit: fine art america

‘लोक कला मंडल’ नाम सुनते ही एक बारगी डांस, म्यूजिक और ड्रामा/थिएटर ही दिमाग़ में आता है। लेकिन इन सबके आलावा और भी बहुत कुछ होता है वहां। अगर आप क्रिएटिव फील्ड में जाना चाहते है या सिर्फ खाली समय का सदुपयोग करना चाहते है तो इस बार लोक कला मंडल आप सभी के लिए लाया है ‘पपेट एंड टॉय मेकिंग वर्कशॉप’। कल यानि 6 अप्रैल से शुरू हो रही इस वर्कशॉप में 8 साल से ऊपर कोई भी व्यक्ति भाग ले सकता है। यह वर्कशॉप 6 अप्रैल से शुरू होकर 25 अप्रैल तक चलेगी। इस वर्कशॉप में हम सभी को ट्रेनिंग मोनिका शर्मा देंगी। मोनिका शर्मा, नेशनल इंस्टिट्यूट ऑफ़ फैशन एंड टेक्नोलॉजी (NIFT) से है। मोनिका, यहाँ के स्थानीय कलाकारों के साथ मिलकर पेपर, वुड(लकड़ी) और कपड़ों की मदद से टॉयज और पपेट बनाने की वर्कशॉप लेंगी। यह उन सभी के लिए एक सुनहरा अवसर है जो इस फील्ड में जाना चाहते है या फिर अपने खाली समय का अच्छा उपयोग लेना चाहते हो, कुछ क्रिएटिव करना चाहते हो।

puppet making
picture credit: kalaahut

पपेट( कठपुतली ) के नाम लेते ही सबसे पहले राजस्थान का ही चित्र उभरकर आता है। राजस्थान में भी उदयपुर ही एकमात्र ऐसा शहर है जहाँ कठपुतली को लेकर हर शाम शो किए जाते हो। यह हमारी धरोहर है। हमारी कला है। जिसे ज़िन्दा रखना हमारा ही कर्तव्य है। लोक कला मंडल समय-समय पर ऐसी कई वर्कशॉप पहले भी लगाता आया है। इन वर्कशॉप का उद्धेश्य होता है कला को दूसरों तक पहुँचाना ताकि यह ज़्यादा से ज़्यादा लोगो तक पहुँच सके और ज़िन्दा रह सके। हमारी भी एक ज़िम्मेदारी बनती है लोकल आर्ट फॉर्म्स को सीखना। हम बहुत खुश होते है जब बगौर की हवेली पर या लोक कला मंडल में किसी विदेशी को इन आर्ट फॉर्म्स पर तालियाँ बजाते हुए। ये विदेशी बाहर से आकर ऐसी वर्कशॉप का हिस्सा बन जाते है लेकिन कहीं न कहीं हम इन सब से दुरी बनाए हुए बैठे है।

अपने अन्दर के कलाकार को जगाइए और इस बार गर्मी के दिनों को और बेहतर बनाइए।

वर्कशॉप – पपेट एंड टॉयज मेकिंग

ट्रेनर – मोनिका शर्मा( निफ्ट ) 

जगह – लोक कला मंडल

समय – 6 अप्रैल से 25 अप्रैल हर शाम 5 बजे से 7 बजे तक

Categories
Events

Parivartan – A Rock Event Against Corruption

Where there’s a will there’s a way. You might be probably surprised for the usage of this proverb here at this article. But it is true that today, even a small drop can make a considerable change in an ocean. Likewise, to eradicate the evil called corruption from its very root, the youth in the city is working really hard, making people aware at every cost, via different ways, for which we must be proud of.  In the series, Udaipur Talents, and the famous Rock Band “Oxyrock” are organizing an event, “Parivartan – A Rock Event Against Corruption“, on 18th February 2012.

parivartan poster

The step in the form of Social Awareness Mega Event has been appreciated and hence supported by the youth NGO from  Udaipur, Shikshantar, as well as Jago Party. The main attraction for the event will surely be, as of course the name suggests, the famous band Oxyrock with their mind blowing performances, and screening of the movie “Country First” by Shiv Khera. Also, to encourage the participation of the city youth, there will be group dance competition as well as fashion show for Udaipurites. The screening for the same will be done via auditions, which will be held at Central Public School, New Bhupalpura, Udaipur.

The auditions will be taken on 10th and 11th Feb’2012 at 3-5 pm. The entry fees will be Rs. 100 per person, and there can be any song  and theme at the time of audition, but the theme for fashion show on the final day will be Rajasthani, and the group dance competition shall be patriotic (strictly). The group dance winner will be awarded a cash prize of Rs. 5000, and the winner of the Fashion Show will be awarded Rs. 2000 cash.

The main event shall be held at Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal, from 5:30 pm onwards, and entry to this main event is absolutely free of cost. Your own online portal as well as friend UdaipurBlog is the proud media partner for the same. Do participate in large numbers, and spread awareness against corruption in every possible nook and corner of the society.