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
People

Dinesh Nandini Dalmia | 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.

Dinesh Nandini Dalmia

Dinesh Nandini Dalmia, originally known as Dinesh Nandini Chordia, was born on 16th February 1928 in Udaipur. She was a renowned poet, story writer, and novelist of Hindi literature.

Life of Dinesh Nandini Dalmia

Dinesh started her literary activities at a mere age of 13 years. In the year 1946, at the age of 18 years, she got married to Ramkrishna Dalmia.

Source: सम्पूर्ण क्रांति

Ramkrishan Dalmia was the founder of the Dalmia group and after Jamshed Ji Tata and Ghanshyam Das Birla, he was the third biggest industrialist and third richest person in the country. He had a very close relationship with Mohammad Ali Jinnah and other popular politicians back then. During that time, when people couldn’t even imagine having a second marriage, he had six marriages where Dinesh Dalmia was his sixth wife. His life had been full of marital affairs but Dinesh agreed to marry him only on one condition that this would be his last marriage and it turned out to be true. But he still had many affairs with other ladies including the sister of Mohd. Ali Jinnah, Fatima Jinnah (as per the rumor).

Ramkrishna Dalmia | Source: News18

Even after her marriage Dinesh Nandini continued her education to secure a post-graduate degree and became the first woman to hold a master’s degree in the entire state of Rajasthan.

Dinesh was known to be a feminist because of her views as well as her literary works. She protested against the purdah system and discrimination against women. She was an active member of Indo-China Friendship Society, Lekhika Sangh and the Institute of Comparative Religion and Literature (ICRL) and even served as the president of ICRL.

Her work has compelled stalwarts like Harivansh Rai Bachchan to praise her in his autobiography. Pandit Nehru wrote several letters in appreciation of her works.

 

Notable works

  • Amongst her many bestsellers books, some popular ones are Shabnam, Niraash Aasha, Mujhe Maaf Kama and Yeh Bhi Jhooth Hai. Her daughter ‘Neelima Dalmia Adhar’ also wrote the famous biography of her father named as Father Dearest: The Life and Times of R. K. Dalmia in 2003.
Neelima Adhar Dalmia | Source: Times of India
  • Subsequently, she also wrote short stories and novels, out of which 35 were published.
  • ‘Phool Ka Dard’ is a documentary film which is made by her work of the same name.
  • She was one of the founder of the literary magazine, Richa and was its chief editor.

Awards and Achievements

  • Dinesh has been awarded various awards during her lifetime. Indian government awarded her with the third highest civilian award ‘Padma Bhushan’ in 2006 for her contribution to literature.
  • ‘Shabnam’, her first published book earned her the Sakseria Award. She was also a recipient of Prem Chand Award.
  • She received Mahila Sasakthikaran Puraskar of the Hindi Sahitya Akademi in 2001 and Rani Durgavati University conferred a doctorate on her in 2005.
  • Delhi administration named a market at W-point, Tilak Marg as Dineshnandini Dalmia Chowk in her honor.
  • India Posts issued a commemorative stamp on her in 2009.
Stamp of Dinesh | Source: The Hindu

Dinesh Nandini Dalmia died on 25 October 2007, at the age of 79 in Delhi leaving behind her strong thoughts of wisdom through her literary works.

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
People

Ashok Banthia | 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 is 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.

Ashok Banthia

Ashok Banthia, who is also famous by the name Ashok Bathia or Ashok Bhatia, is a Hindi film actor as well as director. Ashok was born in Udaipur in a traditional business family. In the year 1932, after earning a diploma in theatre and dramatics from Punjab University, Chandigarh, Ashok went to the National School of Drama in New Delhi followed by a course in the direction at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), in Sydney.

Source: CineBee

His Achievements

As soon as he finished his courses at NIDA, he was offered to work with Kennedy Miller’s serial Bodyline, where he played the role of Indian cricketer Nawab of Pataudi Sr. The serial Bodyline set a benchmark in his life and then there was no looking back for him. He then worked for some more foreign films such as Peter Morhan’s English film ‘The Peacock Spring’, the French film ‘Indian Orchid’ and a gazillion of Hindi films too.

In the Indian film industry, Ashok has played a significant role. He has worked in several serials and films. Some of his popular film work includes Jaane Bhi do Yaaro (1983), Bedardi (1993), Mission Kashmir (2000), Aankhen (2002), 7 ½ Phere (2005), Chase (2010), Rush (2012), Cigarette Ki Tarah (2012) and his most recent and popular movie is Sonam Kapoor starrer ‘Khoobsurat’ (2014).

Ashok in film Khoobsurat | Source: qweetula.blogspot

Apart from that, his famous work in Hindi TV Serial Industry includes Balika Vadhu aired on Colors, Ramayan (2012 TV Series) aired on Zee TV, Mahadev aired on Life OK, Ramayan (2008 Series) aired on NDTV Imagine and many more. He has also worked in some theatres in the initial years of his career, some of which are Chanakya, Mohenjo-Daro, Chanakyashashtra, The Last Train, etc. He also worked as the associate director for TV Serial Tamas.

Ashok Banthiya in Chanakya | Source: Mid day

People like Ashok Banthia works as an inspiration for all the grooming artists and actors of our city. We wish him all the success in his life.

Do you have a feedback or suggestions for the article? Write to me at juhee@udaipurblog.com

Categories
People

Her Road to Spirituality – 30 Days Journey Of Shweta Dubey To Camino De Santiago

“When you have the will power, trust me! You can do wonders.”

The words of Shweta Dubey – Director, Fusion Business Solutions, sounds iconic when you have achieved that is one of a kind no one has done yet. Being the first ever female not only from Udaipur but entire India, she accomplished her path of 500 miles in 30 days of Camino De Santiago.

shwetadubey-director-fusion

By dignifying power of a woman, Shweta herself has become a message for Indian females by breaking stereotypes of travelling alone to a foreign place and for men to support your lady, girl, or any other female in the best possible way they can and encourage her to get something for herself.

Shweta is a lovely mum of two sweethearts, and for her entire journey, she shares credits with her husband Mr. Madhukar Dubey and her in-laws for supporting her to accomplish a spiritual yet hard walk of Camino De Santiago.

What kind of person are you? Describe yourself in few words?

“I am very enthusiastic and take life optimistically. And, yeah! No doubt, I am fond of luxuries and love to travel as well. But on the other side, I am very non-adventurous kind of person. If you will tell me to take a boat ride or some sort of adventurous sports like climbing, or river rafting, I would be scared and won’t prefer to do it. In my 11 years of marriage also I haven’t done any adventurous activities before Camino De Santiago.”

Any person behind to inspire you for travelling alone on an immensely exciting trip!

shweta dubey fusion business solutions

“Behind this journey, I express gratitude to my husband as he had already done this trip in 2013. And, when we always used to talk about his adventures, he always gives a throwback of his experience in an exciting way that Camino walk is something that teaches you life. Of course, you make a lot of friends, you change words with people, and most of all it gives a different direction to your mental and physical check.

her journey

And it always seems to be very exciting. Then there was also a movie, which came along ‘The Way’. So, while watching it, one fine day he challenged me to take a trip to Camino De Santiago and told me to achieve something for myself that I could remember for the rest of my life. Even if any other person would see whether they are my children, my parents, or in-laws, they should be proud to know that yes! What a man can do, a woman can also do.

What were the biggest fears that you had in an entire trip?

“Well, I am quite of a courageous person. Other than non-adventurous I don’t get scared with anything. But, yeah although I am a director of an IT company, I am less of a techie person.

I can’t usually handle all these Google maps, and other things although I take care and look into the activities of entire HR department and CSR of the company but I don’t understand much of technological stuff.

camino de santiago-walk

It’s quite effortless, but it gets me tickle of not ready to handle it properly. And, there was also uneasiness of food as being a vegetarian, then feeding yourself just on ice cream and fries, it’s probably not an option.

Also, on the other side, when you are all alone from your zone, and some people are helpful, but they do have different mindset and barriers of language too. There was a sort of anxiousness running all the time and before a trip as well.”

What were the challenges in the entire walking journey of yours from France to North-west of Spain?

“There were a lot of problems, as every single day was a new struggle for me. The beginning of the voyage was quite brutal and insane as with a bag pack of 6kgs when you have to climb concrete roads going through mountains, it is no less than a disaster for feet and entire body. And, when you don’t have enough food to intake as per your diet, no private rooms to sleep or get into a comfort zone, waiting like other people to get accommodation in big cathedrals, sharing the washroom, fluctuating weather, unaware of the roads, places, and much more. It all goes like a never-ending struggle on that spiritual path.

roads to santiago

I was missing everyone, my family, my kids, and my husband, who used to motivate me all the time with regular calls and messages. But, it was all going confronted with my irony. And, the entire physical ability was challenged but more of it my mind was facing a question that why am I doing this? Just to fulfil what my husband has said me although he inspired that this will bring positivity after an absolute hatred of every single day but will make me a different person from who I am.

So, what I love luxuries and privacy but who desires for a change that appears inside after such an emotional, physical, and mental pressure!!

Any of the time, because of challenges, did you got any second thought to give up on your walking trip or lay back with your nervousness.

“Yes, definitely, since my first day when I started the journey and reached to St.-Jean-Pied-De-Fort, which is on the border of Paris, France. By seeing the scenario of villages, few hostels, and facilities for pilgrims to take rest, all things made me think twice to walk further or not.

It was tough to come up every single day in all such stressful situations. I was pretending to be normal though I was not as walking on the long narrow roads when your foot screams with so much of pain while climbing, nails get hurt inside the shoes. It’s not at all easy to deal with.

her journey to santiago

When I reached Pamplona on the 4th day, I was unable to walk. So, I was advised to take rest. But, I didn’t give up and continued my walk by wearing the kneecaps.

When I reached ‘Burgos’, the third stage of the path, I was completely shattered from inside and wanted to get back to India. By reaching there, I went to see the doctor and called my husband crying literally on the phone to book my ticket from Amsterdam and let me come back to home.”

Your walk of nearly 500 miles was more of a spiritual or adventurous? What kept you moving and never give-up on this journey?

arrows-yellow-journey-walk-camino

“It was more of an adventure that took me to spirituality. In the entire 500 miles, I got brutally hurt, injured at long paths, and it was not that easy to deal with climatic conditions. And, on the day, when I was in Burgos, other pilgrim friends invited me for dinner. But, I refused to go and told them that I need to be here alone and can’t walk tomorrow as I am not at all enjoying all this. So, they were cooperative enough and told that it’s okay; you take rest and don’t get stressed.

There I was sitting on the stairs of a grand cathedral for like 2 hours and having tears in my eyes thinking what’s happening, why I just accepted to be here. At that point of time, something strange happened, and it turned everything around. I don’t know what came up suddenly into my mind, soul, or heart that I was energized again to continue my walk on the next day.

camino de santiago

Then, immediately I called my husband not to book tickets, as I was willing to complete this journey. Even other pilgrim friends over there were also amazed that how come suddenly I changed my mind. That turning point led me to wake up first in the next morning and proceed the remaining 658Km.”

What positive changes did you notice in yourself by this trip?

cathedral-de-santiago

“AHH!! Lot many, as through this spiritual walk I saw a different aspect. There were many people with me on this journey from various countries. Dedicated to fulfilling this path, being comfortable with whatever they were having. Either they were in their early 50’s or their 20’s.

But, most importantly, what I learned was nothing would go with you or remain forever no money, no cars, not even your family. Only your memories, achievements, or your innovations are going to stay alive are on several points of life. I can never forget this experience from beginning to end when I reached the final destination, a massive cathedral and I was standing outside of that church having tears of happiness in my eyes. That feeling of being there was out of the world. And, it made me realized a new me, which is beyond comfort into the remarkable place.”

So, do you have any plans to take such a different trip again?

“Yes! But after some time, as after this long journey of mine I prefer to take rest and then maybe in the next year will plan for Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa. And, till then let’s see what happens.”

This achievement of yours is remarkable for many women not only Udaipur but in India. So, any message that you want should reach our readers?

Shweta dubey achievement

“For women, all I want to say is do something of your own! Think out of the box. Don’t just rely on or be dependent, do what you love and achieve something that you can say is your own. If you have the support of anyone, keep up with that and never give-up. And, for men support females, as they are no lesser than anyone. Challenge your abilities, as you never know how destiny can surprise you or bring something admirable into your bucket of life.”

Shweta! We believe that every woman should learn from you to get out of their comfort zone once in a life to grab opportunities that can remark commendable tag to their life. And, also men should learn to support and encourage just as your husband did. 

If you want to get inspired and know more about the achievers, entrepreneurs, and many other people like her from Lake City, you can check out the People section at UdaipurBlog.com.