Rajasthan The Golden Desert

NOVEMBER 2013 | ` 150

The premiere travel and tourism magazine for Rajasthan

vOLUME 1 | ISSUE 4 | NOVEMBER 2013 | ` 150

REGN: RAJENG/2013/50996

The premiere travel and tourism magazine for Rajasthan

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Art & Admin Paints a colourful world of her own....

26 14 32 36

City Guide

Sajjan Singh - A man with cultural values

JAIPUR Pink Flavour of Rajasthan

Heritage Pride The hotel which is not only heritage but more...

Art & Culture We need to explore our artist as well as our culture

Sajida’s

Lush Looks Making the most of you...

Ladies Saloon D-133, Janpath Marg, Shyam Nagar, Sodala, Jaipur - 302 019 For appointment, call

+91 9983650009

editor’s note

Caprice this season...

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At the outset, I would like to congratulate the organizers and the other respected entities of western Rajasthan associated with the recent held RIFF and Marwar Festival who organized these festivals successfuly.

As you know, Rajasthan International Folk Festival is regarded as India’s first annual folk festival that comprises traditional folk music and arts and the other event, Marwar Festival, that held recently at Mehrangarh Fort with cultural, music and dance performances gives us the opportunity to welcome our new guests worldwide. Moreover Dusshera and Deepawali too enhances the enthusiasm of these festivals.

Many of you, with no doubt, are looking forward to spend holidays with your family and loved ones. Winter is on and the best season for tourism in Rajasthan. So without any second thought, pack your luggage and let’s chalo jaipur.

This time we are discovering the capital of Rajasthan, the pink city Jaipur. Jaipur was the capital of former Kachwaha rulers. It is a versatile tourist destination. It comes in Dhundar Circuit of Rajasthan. The main attraction of this circuit is Samode, Abhaneri, Sambhar & Ramgarh Lake.

September to March is a peak time for tourists. Jaipur is an epitome of royal splendour, chivalry, mighty warriors, heriatge, culture, majestic palaces, tranquil temples, cuisine and beautiful havelis. So this is the destination you all are willing to visit with your loved ones. We are giving best hotels available in Jaipur from different category in Heritage, Star and Budget.

Also we are covering a personality, Senior IAS Officer Kiran Soni Gupta, in addition to her professional responsibilities, she has kept up her interest in painting as an artist for more than two decades.

From this issue onwards we are introducing a new column “Jharokha”. In this column, we discovered a new destinations available nearby Rajasthan which is being conservating by respective state government. It is not only historical but a example to our state’s tourism department also to search these type of destinations in our state and take steps to develop it into a big heritage and tourism hub.

Abdul Naseer

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Abdul Naseer

he winter has knocked, moreover the tourism and festive season are at their high. So welcome readers once again with our November issue.

So let’s enjoy this issue.

November 2013 | Volume 1 | Issue 4 | ` 150

editor@rtgd.in

Managing Editor Dr. Narendra Lalas

Associate Editor Rahul Sharma rahul@rtgd.in Akshaya Pande akshaya@rtgd.in

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FACEBOOK UPDAATES https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rajasthan-TheGolden-Desert Rajasthan The Golden Desert is published twelve times a year by Editor & Publisher Abdul Naseer @ B-47, Jwala Vihar, Chopasni Road, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without prior permission is strictly prohibited. All information is correct up to the time of going to press. The publishers cannot be held liable for any changes in this respect after this date.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any matter published in this magazine, in part or whole, in any language or format, without the express written permission of the Publisher is strictly prohibited and iwill be liable for legal action. Some images used for representation purpuse only, Editor/Publisher have to right for these pictures.

REG: RAJENG/2013/50996

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Contents November 2013

FEATURES

INTERVIEWS

08 History Of Rajasthan 24 Fort & Palaces 32 Recommended Hotel 20 52 Art & Culture 26 COVER STORY

Jaipur - Destination of the Month

All you ever wanted to know about the pink city - Jaipur…

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Kiran Soni Gupta Guide Sajjan Singh

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Chef

08 History Of Rajasthan PHOTO FEATURE

12 Offbeat 19 Offbeat 38 Event Time 44 Offbeat

REGULARS

48 Film Location 54 Upcoming Events 55 Flight Schedule 56 Hotel Directory 58 Package Tours NEWS

06 Domestic 07 International

domestic news

India Approves Extension Of VoA Scheme

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40 countries to avail this visa service at major Indian airports…

he government cleared a slew of measures including the extension of the VoA scheme to 40 countries as well as establishing an online application system for visas and facilitating VoA for pensioners and those attending conference. It has also agreed to extend the VoA to foreign travel-

lers above 60 years of age from all countries and cut down the time taken to give visas to group that are keen to attend conventions.

The Ministry of Tourism and Home Affairs have been asked to prepare a roadmap since initiating the Visa-on-Arrival scheme will require a large amount of

infrastructure and manpower The VoA facility is also likely to be extended to more airports like Goa, Gaya, Chandigarh and Amritsar. Currently the scheme is offered at international airports of Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.

Kerala Taps US Market

Hot Air Ballooning Came To Maharashtra

India Approves 50 New Low Cost Airports

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he move to aggressively market Kerala in the United States comes close on the initiative to tap the Japanese market by attending the JATA Tabihaku Travel Showcase 2013 in Tokyo earlier this month. The state’s Minister of Tourism A P Anil Kumar and Secretary Suman Billa will lead the delegation to the United States, official sources told The Hindu.

Events will be held by 13 tour operators starting 21-24 October in these three American cities.

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ky Waltz along with the government of Maharashtra and Rainbow Riders has launched Hot Air Ballooning in Lonavala from 29 October 2013. Initially, the company is offering one balloon with a carrying capacity of eight passengers with a ride that last approximately one hour. the whole experience lasts for approximately three hours from pick up to drop back.

Flights are operating from November 2013 to mid April 2014.

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ndia’s Civil Aviation sector will also see development of two new international airports at Bhubaneswar, Odisha and Imphal in Manipur. Alongside, eight new Greenfield Airports have been approved under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. These airports include Navi Mumbai, Juhu (Mumbai), Goa, Kannur, Pune (Rajguru Nagar Chakan), Sriperumbudur, Bellary and Raigarh.

Furthermore, airport operations and maintenance through PPP contracts will also be introduced at AAI airports. The airports considered for PPP operations and maintenance is Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Guwahati, Jaipur and Ahmedabad.

Artist performing during JODHPUR RIFF in Jodhpur

Tour operators bemoan EC’s seizure of luxury cars in tourist season

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he tourism season in Rajasthanhas just begun and the tour operators here are keeping their fingers crossed so that the upcoming elections do not play spoilsport.

While inbound tourism has almost dropped by 25%, little of what is left is likely to suffer in the one month crucial phase when the Election Commission will start seizing vehicles for election duty. Incidentally, the Pushkar fair that ushers in the season is scheduled from November 9 to 17, just a few days before the state goes to elections.

According to tour operators in the city, about 140-160 luxury cars have been seized. Official said, total requirement of vehicles is about 2,000 that includes Indica, Indigo, Jeeps and minibuses, and 30-35 luxury cars for observers and senior officials, 06

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Air Asia Moves To New Terminal In Chennai

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ith immediate effect, departures will be based and operated at NITC, while arrivals will be at the old terminal.

The new airport terminal is built with an investment of INR200 crore and can handle four million passengers annually. The terminal is equipped with five-level structure spanning 60508m² and 52 checkin counters.

international news

South Korea To Get Its First Nude Beach?

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n a surprisingly creative tourism push, officials in north east Gangwon Province are aiming to set up South Korea’s first nude beach, with the first clothes to be shed in 2017.

It’s an effort to boost tourism to the peninsula’s east coast beaches, which lose out every year to the west coast in luring summer visitors from the capital Seoul.

Although the east coast has more beautiful, sandy beaches, the water tends to be colder, the season shorter and the distance from Seoul is greater than the beaches to the west.

The massively popular annual mud festival is also held on the west coast. Gangwon Province tried to launch a femaleonly nude beach in 2005, while Gangneung City also deliberated, but ultimately scrapped, a nude beach idea due to public outcry. The same happened to a Jeju Island proposal in 2009.

New Asian Hotel Supply Hits Room Rates

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ccording to the latest data from STR Global, the region experienced a 5.9% decline in average daily rates (ADR) last month, to US$118.94. And while occupancy levels did increase slightly, up 0.7% to 68.5%, this was not enough to prevent a drop in revenue per available room (revPAR), which fell 5.2% to US$81.45.

For the first eight months of the year, revPAR has now fallen 4.1% to US$82.29, driven by declines in both ADR and occupancy.

In September 2013 alone, Auckland achieved the highest revPAR growth, rising 16.5% to US$90.32, followed by Bangkok (+10.1% to US$70.27). Delhi’s revPAR however, fell 18.3% to US$59.58 – the region’s largest decrease.

60% of Asian Online Agents Unable To Sell LCCs!

Emirates targets 70 mn passengers in 2020

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hese plans were unveiled by Emirates Airline president Tim Clark during a presentation to Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), who were visiting UAE to make their final decision on the host city for the World Expo 2020.

Dubai is a candidate city.

At present, Emirates operates nearly 3,200 flights globally per week to 135 destinations in 76 countries.

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his is one of the key findings of a new report by Abacus International, which identified a major gap between supply and demand for LCC content online. In a survey of 62 travel agents in the online space, 42% of respondents acknowledged that LCCs have a “major presence” in their markets. Sixty percent however, said they were unable to display and sell LCCs’ inventory.

Only 29% of the online agents said they have any kind of agreements in place with budget carriers, with the rest either excluding them from their search results or, as one in seven admitted, screen-scraping results from LCCs’ own sites.

Appointments ADAM ALFORD has been appointed as the Low Cost Travel Group’s new managing director for Asia Pacific.

Having been based in Bangkok since 2007, Alford spent six years working with TUI Travel. More recently he was Destinations of the World’s regional sales director for Asia.

ALAN BALL has been named as the new director of sales & marketing for Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives. He arrives at the luxury resort with a background in travel agency sales, including spells with Abercrombie & Kent and Gulliver’s Sports Travel. He is based in London.

ROLF HINZE has been appointed as Destination Asia’s new head of sales and marketing for Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

A German national with more than 30 years of experience, Hinze has previously worked with Shangri-La and Four Seasons, as well as running his own company.

DOUGLAS LI has become the director of sales & marketing at the Ritz-Carlton Beijing. The move marks a promotion for Li, who previously held the role of director of sales at the hotel.

Prior to that, he held various sales management roles at St Regis Beijing and Grand Hyatt Beijing.

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history of rajasthan

Rajasthan

The Golden Desert Rajasthan Between C.AD 1500 – AD 1600

RAJASTHAN – the name needs no introduction. Popularly known as the ‘Land of the Kings’ all over the world, it has a rich and colourful history making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in India  Continue from issue 2

.....had already been murdered in January 1561 by a Lohani Afghan at Patan in Gujarat, enroute to Mecca. (In later years Bairam Khan’s son, Abdur Rahim, rose to a high position under Akbar, and held the title of Khan-i-Khna). Akbar was also free, by this time, from the interference in state affairs of the Atkah Khail (brigade of foster-parents), particularly his foster-mother Maham Anaga and her son, Adam Khan. (The sons of the royal wet-nurses held the title of ‘Kokaltash -shortened to Kokah, at the Mughal court.

Amongst the rulers of Rajasthan the title of ‘Dabhai’ was used in a similar manner).

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The young emperor had also seen the occupation (albeit temporary) of Malwa by this period and the absorption of Ajmer, Gwalior andjaunpur into his empire. (Ajmer changed hands many times through the first part of the sixteenth century, before Akbar’s commander Kasim Khan occupied it in 1556. Akbar visited it in 1562, and continued to do so very regularly thereafter. His pilgrimage to offer thanks at the shrine of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti, upon the birth of his heir, the future Emperor Jahangir, in 1570 is well known The city became the capital of the Ajmer suba (province). Ajmer suba contained

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seven sarkars (divisions) and one hundred and ninety-seven parganas (districts), and served as the base for Imperial operations against Gujarat, Mewar, and Marwar etc. under different Mughal emperors Akbar had city walls, the Akbari Masjid, Dargah Bazaar and, in 1575, a fortified palace built here.

Part of this latter became the -Magazine(arsenal depot) of the British in 1863. In 1908 the arsenal changed form to become the Rajputana Museum. The building now serves as Ajmer’s museum).

The cementing of an alliance between Akbar and the ruler of Amber (Dhoondhar) in 1562 marked the beginning of an important

phase, both for the Mughal Empire and for the diverse states of the present-day Rajasthan region. For, following the alliance with Bharmal of Amber several other Rajput states came to an understanding with the Mughal court too. Thus simultaneous with a vigorous expansion of Imperial frontiers, evolved Akbar s Rajput Policy (as later historians have designated it), of friendship and matrimonial alliances . This, along with his notions of sound governance, reward to general merit, absence of religious bigotry and similar policies, brought the rulers of Rajputana into the service of the Mughal Empire and served to consolidate its foundations for the ensuing generations.

Over the next few years, many of the kingdoms of Rajasthan, like those of other parts of the subcontinent, either came to accept Akbar’s sovereignty or opposed him and faced the Mughal military might. In 1568 Chittor, for long the capital of Mewar, fell to Akbar. In February 1569 Ranthambore was yielded to him along with the submission of Rao Surjan Hada, the ruler of Bundi.

By 1570 the rulers of Bikaner andjaisalmer had accepted Mughal supremacy, and were soon followed by Dungarpur and Banswara.

Similarly opposition to Akbar, whether in Rajasthan or elsewhere, was met with force too. This was true in the case of Kalinjar, Central India and the Punjab, Rana Pratap of Mewar, Rao Chandrasen of Marwar, Rani

Akbar taking upon himself the right to ‘bestow’ or ‘approve’ the succession of new rulers in various Rajput states....

Durgawati of Garh-Katanga (Gondwana), Sultan Baz Bahadur of Malwa, Akbar’s halfbrother, Mirza Muhammad Hakim of Kabul, and the Afghan and other chiefs of eastern India, among others. Rebellions in Gujarat were crushed too, and the Mirza brothers Ibrahim and Masud - suppressed.

(Some scholars have pointed out that Akbar incorporated Muslim states like Malwa, Gujarat, Bengal, but maintained a different policy towards the Hindu Rajput states. This is sometimes attributed to the

fact that the strong clan/kinship organisation of the Rajputs, and the nature of their polity, meant that even if the ruler of a Rajput state was destroyed, the branch or clan would not necessarily be destroyed. Rather, they would re-group to remain a future threat. In contrast, in most of the Muslim-ruled states of the time, the fall of the ruling dynasty effectively wiped the slate clean for any strong successor - hether from within or outside the existing system. Of course, the Afghanruled kingdoms also had a very strong and close-knit kinship based system - a fact which somewhat undermines the above theory!)

Accepting Mughal suzerainty curtailed smaller states from overt, individual, unauthorised territorial expansion into each other’s kingdoms - which had previously been a common aspect, since such moves now became subject to Imperial censure and judgement. Thus, from around the period that Akbar’s forged his ‘Rajput policy’, there followed a relative political permanence or stability in the existence, extent and boundaries of various regional kingdoms. This political durability of regional states within Rajasthan would largely continue to remain the case, irrespective of later Rajput-Mughal inter-relationship etc., in the future centuries too. (The situation would, however, see a marginal change by the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries when the

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history of rajasthan the succession of new rulers in various Rajput states, the traditional clan-based structure of Rajasthan’s kingdoms and chiefdoms was not overtly interfered with by him or his successors. In fact, given the nature of the clan-dependent polity in the Rajput states of Rajasthan - which included fief-holding kinsmen joining the military expeditions of their ruler with their respective locally raised and maintained forces (jamiat], etc., it was advantageous to Emperor Akbar (and his successors) to have Rajput rulers continue to undertake designated military campaigns and tasks accompanied by their kin, clan, relatives and their respective local troops!

Without further detailing the numerous aspects connected with Painting showing Akbar’s entry into the fort of Ranthambhor Akbar’s empire and (1569) various other policies here, it may be relevant to observe that Akbar gave “...a new basis decline of the Mughal Empire took on an to the relations of the central government accelerated pace.For, taking advantage of with the Hindu tributary chiefs. Under the this, some of the stronger states of Rajassultans they were confined to the payment than were to once again indulge in sporadic of tribute and offering military service whencampaigns against each other, until treaties ever required. with the East India Company put a stop to Akbar absorbed very many chieftains into such activities by the second decade of the his civil and military service”. nineteenth century).

Akbar also used the institution of the In addition, in the long run, accepting Mughal supremacy by various kingdoms and mansab (also called the mansabdari system, the term mansab meaning rank, office chiefdoms of Rajasthan also came to mean or holding an honour), to reward those that the Mughal emperors played a decisive who were in Imperialservice. The mansabs role in the bestowal of the coronation teekas were granted as a high award, and the of successive Rajput rulers belonging to diholder of a mansab was expecte to render verse States. As such, in place of the earlier service - military or civil - to the Mughal stress on acceptance of a succession by state. These mansabs were classified in clansmen and courtiers, Akbar and his sucthirty-three hierarchical grades, and ranged cessors occasionally recognised the succession of men who did not have the unqualified from mansabdaris often to mansabdaris of ten thousand - the last being an honour support of their traditional local courts and reserved for members of the immediate Imtheir clan. This challenged and undermined perial family. Some mansabdars were paid the existing relationship between Rajput in cash from the Imperial treasury, but more rulers and their kin/clan to some degree. (It commonly they were given land-holdings also partially fore-shadowed, to some extent, or jagir, whose estimated revenue (jama) the more enhanced or ‘extreme’ situation vis-a-vis the relationship between Rajasthan’s approximated the pay due for the holder’s zat, and the later created sawar (mounted Rajput rulers and their respective clans, horsemen) categories of mansabs. The jagir which came to be established a few centuholders were known as jagirdars. Jagirs ries later, in the wake of changes wrought assigned in lieu of salary were known as by the British East India Company’s Political tankhwa jagir.

Officers and Agents!) “...For each rank was set an appropriate However, despite Akbar taking upon jagir, an area of land whose revenue the ofhimself the right to ‘bestow’ or ‘approve’

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ficer had to collect through his own officials; in later years, some officers holding civilian posts were paid in cash. For a Rajput chieftain, ajagir included the assessed revenue of his hereditary dominions (.watan jagir), were it insufficient for his rank, he would be granted further jagirs in the imperial dominions. -As the rajas’ loyal and meritorious service earned them “higher and higher ranks, their share in imperial revenues steadily increased, making loyalty more profitable than rebellion. In Mughal parlance, such chieftains were known as zamindar rajas”.

Every grade or rank of this mansab system was marked by the number of horsemen and contingent the holder was required to muster and bring into the field. Branding and descriptive rolls were introduced to prevent fraud. Technically, the acquired property of a mansabdar (i.e.mansab-h older) lapsed to the state after their death, though this did not apply to their inherited estates. In the case of the Rajput princes and chiefs, their ancestral lands were viewed as their watan jagir or hereditary lands: in which the Mughal emperor would confirm the rights of each successive ruler recognised by the Mughal state at each time of a new succession.

THE VARIOUS STATES OF RAJASTHAN DURING Let us now look at the individual states of Rajasthan during the sixteenth century.

The State Of Mewar The long reign of Kumbha in Mewar had ended with his murder, and soon afterwards, the ouster of his successor and eldest son, Uda ‘the parricide’, by another son, Raimal. The reign of Rana Raimal (r.

1.473-1508), is today recalled less for his manifold achievements – which were by no means meagre (as has already been noted in an earlier section), and more for the rivalries and dissension between his numerous ambitious sons. The most important among these rivals were the royal princes, Prithviraj, Jaimal, Jai Singh and Sanga (Sangram).

The bravery and valour of all four was openly recognised, with Prithviraj having the additional advantage of being the eldest, and possibly best, among them all, insofar as the right of primogeniture could influence the succession. Sanga, the youngest, enjoyed the reputation of a man of intellect and sound judgement, and had succeeded in attracting a core group of nobles to his side, while Jaimal and Jai Singh were commonly held to be addicted more to pleasure and sport than to matters of state.

Among Sanga’s sound supporters was Surajmal, who was a member of the Mewar ruling family being a grandson of Rana Mokal and the son of Prince Khem [Kshem] Singh). Sanga and Surajmal are said to have joined hands to undermine the position of the heir-apparent, Prince Prithviraj. A tradi-

tion preserved in Mewari lore (also related

by Col. Tod), highlights the dissension between the royal princes, in connection with which they finally decided to visit the venerated shrine of Charani Devi at Nagra Magra (“Tiger’s Mount”) to obtain an omen.

“Pirthi Raj [sic] andjeimal [sic] entered first, and seated themselves on a pallet: Sanga followed and took possession of the panther hide of the prophetess; his uncle, Soorajmul [sic], with one knee resting thereupon.

Scarcely had Pirthi Raj disclosed their errand, when the Sybil pointed to the pantherhide as the decisive omen of sovereignty to Sanga, with a portion to his uncle...Pirthi Raj drew his sword and would have falsified the omen, had not Soorajmul stepped in and received the blow destined for Sanga, while the prophetess fled from their fury.

Soorajmul and Pirthi Raj were exhausted with wounds, and Sanga fled with five sword-cuts and an arrow in his eye, which destroyed sight for ever.

The continued internal fighting between the rival brothers was obviously a real danger to the kingdom of Mewar, splitting supporters into camps and fanning the flames of dissent and ambition. (The Rupanarain Inscription of AD 1504 records that a Rath ore warrior named Bida died saving the life of Sanga while he was being pursued by his enemies). Thus, possibly tiring of the internal squabbles, or else in some fear for his own life, Rana Raimal exiled both Prithviraj and Sanga from Mewar.

Prithviraj made for the Godwar area, where he helped in ‘restoring order’ and in the Rajput re-taking of Meena-held towns, including Naddulya. He is also reputed to have recovered Toda from the Muslims.

Later, he was recalled to Mewar, where he took part in numerous battles and skirmishes, including against his relative Surajmal.

(It was this Surajmal who later went on to found the town of Deoliya, in what was to become the state of Pratapgarh-Deoliya).

The adventurous Prince Prithviraj, attended by his wife, Tara Bai of the Solanki clan, who is described by the bards as an extremely beautiful, excessively talented and exceedingly fearless and brave woman, became a figure of romantic chivalry and valour for Mewar. He was later poisoned, as he returned from a visit to Sirohi, allegedly by his brother-in-law, Rao Jagmal of Sirohi, who was the husband of Prithviraj’s sister, and Rana Raimal’s daughter, Ananda-Bai. The poison took effect as Prithviraj returned to Kumbhalgarh, and he died near the formidable protective gates of the impregnable fortress, where his cenotaph still stands.

Meanwhile, Prince Jaimal was killed by Rao Surtan, while Sanga’s travels eventually took him to the vicinity of Ajmer, where he joined the service of the local chief of nearby Srinagar, Karam Chand, who was from the Parmar clan (also called Panwar in later centuries). Later, learning of Sanga’s true identity, the Parmar chief married his

daughter to the exiled prince.

In the duration, Raimal died in 1508. It is commonly held that before Raimal’s death, Sanga had been re-called to Mewar, and readmitted to his father’s presence. Be that as it may, Sanga does not appear to have been his father’s first choice as successor! In fact. Prince Prithviraj having pre-deceased him, Rana Raimal - before dying - nominated Jai Singh as his successor. According to Nainsi’s account, the Mewari nobles bypassed the claim of Jai Singh, however, and instead invited Sanga to take his place on the throne of Mewar. This was not the first time, nor would it be the last, that a group of prominent clansmen and nobles, or sometimes powerful court coteries, within various kingdoms of Rajasthan, took a major role in deciding the succession of new rulers.

The enthronement of Rana Sanga (r.

1508-1528) marked the commencement

The frequent battles and skirmishes with the neighbouring sultans of Malwa and Gujarat over the past three generations or so had also taken their toll of a vigorous phase of expansion for Mewar - both in terms of territory and sphere of influence.In spite of the internal squabble between his sons, Rana Raimal had managed to bequeath a relatively large kingdom to his successor, even though the finances and military resources of Mewar had suffered greatly during the fraternal squabbles of the royal princes. The frequent battles and skirmishes with the neighbouring sultans of Malwa and Gujarat over the past three generations or so had also taken their toll. These neighbours still continued to bide their time for an opportunity to move against Mewar.

Stabilising Mewar was, thus, Sanga’s first task. He is said to have appointed trusted officers for collecting revenue and managing law and order. Simultaneously he continued with the established policy of forging alliances that could assist the state in times of need. As part of this, he raised the status of his Parmar father-in-law, Karam Chand of

Srinagar (Ajmer), awarded the title of ‘Rao’ tojagmal (his brother-in-law and Karam Chand’s son), for his role in the investment of Chanderi, and entered into various alliances.

Among these were the alliances concluded with Raimal of Idar; with Medini Rai, a powerful Rajput chief from eastern Malwa who became a minister at the Malwa court; and with the crown-prince of Gujarat. The re-organisation of the army was carried through by measures, which included fresh recruitment of able soldiers; Existing forts and defensive posts along the borders of Mewar were adequately garrisoned too.

Having retrieved the strength of Mewar over time, Sanga turned his attention to the sultanates of Gujarat, Malwa and Delhi.

There followed a number of battles and skirmishes between the forces of Mewar, Malwa, Gujarat and Delhi, particularly so during the period spanning c. 1514 to 1520.

Despite an occasional setback, these mainly enhanced the power and prestige of Sanga, and of Mewar. On the basis of bardic tradition, Tod records how: “The kings of Malwa, though leagued with those of Guzzerat... could make no impression on Mewar when Sanga led her heroes. Eighty thousand horse, seven Rajas of the highest rank, nine Raos, and one hundred and four chieftains bearing the titles of Rawul and Rawut, with five hundred war elephants followed him into the field.

In the case of Mewar’s fragile relations with Malwa, matters came to a head afresh when internal trouble developed between Sultan Mahmud II and his minister, the Rajput chief Medini Rai, who had helped the sultan gain the throne. Around the same time the local Purbia Rajputs of Malwa rose against the Sultan. While Sultan Mahmud II appealed to the ruler of Gujarat for help and obtained it, Medini Rai came to Sanga’s court at Chittor and sought the Rana’s assistance. Rana Sanga provided willing support, defeating the sultan of Malwa in 1518-1519 and taking possession of Cagron, Bhilsa, Raisen, Sarangpur, Chanderi and Ranthambore, which were then under Malwa.

Mahmud 11 was taken as a captive12 to Chittor in 1519, where Sanga is said to have personally attended to the sultan’s wounds. After some six months of internment as a royal captive at Chittor, Mahmud II was allowed an ‘honourable’ return to his own capital of Mandu, though one of his sons remained hostage at the Mewar court. Sanga received a jewelled belt and a crown as a gift from Mahmud II. Sanga also retained possession of Kalpi, Bhilsa, Ranthambore, Sarangpur and Chanderi.

These were assigned to chiefs who paid tribute to Rana Sanga.

(Continue in next issue) Author: Rima Hooja “A History Of Rajasthan”

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OFFBEAT

POSTCARD

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Panoramic view of Hawa Mahal, Jaipur Photo : Mohd Sharif

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destination of the month

Jaipur Jaipur:

Pink City Of India With its marvelous and fascinating architectural design, artistic splendour and the culture to accept everyone with warmth, Rajasthan’s capital, the Pink City, Jaipur, is the point of our discussion this time round.  Rahul Sharma

J

aipur brings one face-to-face with Rajasthan’s beautiful pink surroundings, and hence this city is still known as the Pink city. This attractive city was established by the king of Aamer, Maharaja Sawai Jay Singhji II on 17th November 1727.

Historians equate the city’s beauty- with Paris, attraction with Budapest and grandness with Moscow in their writings. Jaipur is widely recognized for its unique town planning.

Tourists visiting Jaipur get enamored by its traditional art and craft. Jaipur was established on the principles of Astrology and Vastu and the Vastu planning was primed

by Pandit Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya. He distributed the whole city into 9 blocks. Two

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such blocks were reserved for the mega structures and palaces and the rest seven blocks were allotted to develop the public residential area. The vast walls of the bastion were developed with seven gigantic and robust gates. The streets and markets were all in the direction from east to west and from north to south. The eastern gate was named as the Suraj Pole and the western gate got its name as the Chand Pole.

Jaipur is pretty rich in terms of history and culture. The houses smeared in pink envelope the whole city an inimitable pink radiance at the time of sun rise and sun set.

With every passing year Jaipur has attained the highest landmarks of progress and success and is reckoned amongst one of

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

the biggest metro cities in India. Whether it is agriculture, education, corporate sector, multinational markets, magnificent buildings, world renowned shopping malls and latest technology; Jaipur has established a niche within the country and worldwide.

In the field of tourism Jaipur occupies 7th rank in Asia. Hawa Mahal, City palace, Savai Maansingh II museum, Chandramahal, Ramnivas gardens, Jal Mahal, Shishmahal, Jaigadh, Nahargadh Fort, Jantar-Mantar etc. are some of the centres of attraction in the city. The under construction Metro Station and track work will get completed in next few years. On the lines of other metro cities, the metro train will start operating in Jaipur too, taking its growth sky high.

History Maharaja Jai Singh, who was only 11 years old, came into power after the demise of his father Maharaja Bishan Singh. Kachwaha Rajputs, who came into power in 12th century, are said to be Jai Singh’s ancestors.

Their rivalry with Sisodia Rajputs, rulers of Mewar, helped them in their alliance with Mughals. Mughals too helped the Kachwaha Rajputs against Sisodia Rajputs, resulting in Kachwahas attaining a reputed place in Rajasthan. They ruled the kingdoms of Mewar (Udaipur) and Marwar (Jodhpur) from the glorious Amber Fort. Jai Singh supported Aurangzeb’s son Azam Shah in the battle of succession, which created unrest among people. But Azam Shah lost this bid to throne to his brother Bahadur Shah.

Azam Shah then demanded the removal of Jai Singh from the throne. With the ally of Mughals, Jai Singh brought himself back to power. The kingdom flourished in his reign and Jai Singh built his capital around Amber Fort and Jaipur was eventually developed as India’s first ever planned city by chief architect from Bengal, Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya.

Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya, following the principles of Shilpa Shastra (the science of Indian architecture), and referencing the ancient Indian knowledge on astronomy, further developed and discussed the plan with Jai Singh. It is said that the foundation of the city was laid down on 18th November 1727

by Jai Singh himself. It took minutely plans strategies and 4 years for the city’s major places—the roads, the square, palaces and the fortification of the boundaries—to come to form.

After the death of Jai Singh in 1744, his sons fought for power and without a king, the city became open to intrusion by neighbouring states. Rajputs and Marathas took over most of Jaipur. Later in 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh adorned the city in pink colour, which is supposed to be associated with hospitality, to welcome the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) to the city, and thus it acquired the name Pink City. Ramgarh Lake was also built by Maharaja Ram Singh to provide water to the budding and prospering city. In 1922, the throne was taken over by Man Singh II, and it was at that time, buildings like secretariat, schools, and hospitals were built. After India got independence,

Jaipur merged with Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner to form the largest state of India with Jaipur as its capital.

Economy The RBI ranked Jaipur as the eleventh largest deposit centre and ninth largest credit centre nationwide as of June 2012. Jaipur district is a centre for both traditional and modern industries. It is famous as a large exporter of gold, diamond and stone jewellery in Asia. In 2008, Jaipur was ranked 31 among the 50 Emerging Global Outsourcing cities. Genpactand Infosys have their BPO in Jaipur.

Jaipur Culture This royal town has magnificent architecture and is the first planned city of India. The buildings here are made with pink-painted sandstone which brings it the name of Pink City. With fantastic attractions all around the city, it invites tourists from all over the world.

Jaipur’s rich cultural heritage is displayed in the traditions, customs, lifestyle, art and architecture of this place. In fact the best understanding of Jaipur’s culture can be attained through its art, music and archi-

tecture. The splendid monuments of Jaipur deserve a visit. Those huge fortresses of Mughal and Rajput reigns, the Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, Jal Mahal aptly describe the culture of the city. Jantar Mantar of Jaipur, the largest of all five similar monuments is an observatory basically, which is indeed an architectural spectacle.

The people of this lively town are friendly and warm. Their colourful outfits and unique jewellery are the part of their culture displayed in a flamboyant way. They love to dance to the tunes of Rajasthani folk songs.

Famous dances of Jaipur include Ghoomar, Chari where the dancers got to dance on a pot with a lit diya on their head.

Traditional instruments like Sarangi, Ektara, and Jhalar are also played while singing folk songs. Food or the local delicacies of Jaipur also reveal the culture of the city. Jaipur’s utterly delicious mangodi, papad, khichdi, buttermilk, sohan halwa have no match.

Also famous for its handicrafts, Jaipur has markets flooded with handicraft items.

Carved silver jewellery, kundan as well as meenakari jewellery, ivory carved sculptures,

Malls

Multiplex

Restaurant

Sweets

Cafe

Hyper City Mall

Entertainment Paradise

Spice Court

Rawat Mishthan

Cafe Coffee Day

World Trade Park

Space Cinema Bani Park

Johri Bazar

LMB

Kanji Sweets

Gaurav Tower

First Cinema

Copper Chimni

Jhotwara

Malviya Nagar Malviya Nagar

Malviya Nagar

Tonk Road

Civil Lines

Opp GPO

Station Road Sikar Road

Natraj

M.I. Road

Malviya Nagar

Mr Beans

Patel Marg

Brewberrys

Vaishali Nagar

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

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destination of the month where you can find some excellent fabrics and carpets. If you are looking for handicrafts, the marketplace is rich in variety as Jaipur is recognized as the crafts capital of India. For something different, Jaipur is famous for their camel leather also so don’t forget to check out some of that also. And last, but not the least, a pair of ‘jutis’ or ‘mojaris’ from Jaipur would make your trip worth the while. Get one pair or a dozen, you will love it for sure. A trip to Jaipur is incomplete without shopping in this beautiful city! So make sure you factor in enough time for that as well.

wood work and leather goods, are all so finely made that they would undoubtedly catch your eye. Known for blue pottery, miniature paintings and traditional clothes with work of bandhni, zari and zardosi, are certainly the best examples that depict rich

bandhej sarees, kurtas and dress materials.

These products are most popular for their patterns and designs. Jaipur is also famous for its jewelry which is a beautiful combination of traditional and contemporary styles with Thewa and Kundan being the most

Climate Jaipur has a semiarid climate under the Koppen climate classification, receiving over 650 millimetres (26 in) of rainfall annually but most rains occur in the monsoon months between June and September. Temperatures remain relatively high throughout the year, with the summer months of April to early July having average daily temperatures of around 30 °C (86 °F). During the monsoon there are frequent, heavy rains and thunderstorms, but flooding is not common.

The winter months of November to February are mild and pleasant, with average tem-

culture of Jaipur.

popular. In Jaipur, there are a great many stores where you can find a lot of different things that cater to the authenticity and the flavors of Rajasthan. Jaipur is a vibrant and beautiful city, filled with bazaars which are hospitable to anyone.

Make sure that you have shopping on your list of things to do when you get to Jaipur.

‘Haldiyon Ka Rasta’, ‘M.I Road’, ‘Bapu Bazar’, ‘Kishanpol Bazar’, etc are some of the main bazaars in Jaipur. These are places

peratures ranging from 15–18 °C (59–64 °F) and with little or no humidity. There are however occasional cold waves that lead to temperatures near freezing.

The weather of Jaipur is semi-arid type.

Temperatures remain comparatively on the higher end all around the year. The summer season begins from April and continues till July. There are no traces of humidity in winters but the city is dominated by the dense cover of fog in mornings and

Shopping In Pink City Jaipur is a shoppers’ elysium. You can find many different kinds of handicrafts, jewelry, fabrics and even carpets here. Jaipur represents the rich and vibrant lifestyle and tradition of Rajasthan. It offers the best traditional Rajasthani artwork and textiles from this city are world famous. They have different types of products like tie-n-dye and

Bakery Dzurt

Bazaar

Jewellers

Blue Pottery

Civil Lines

Raja Park

Divine

Bapu Bazar

Pink City Jam Palace

Neerja International

Bake Hut

Aura Thai Spa Centre

Jaohri Bazar

Kothari Jewells

Kuber Handicrafts

Lush Looks

Tripolia Bazar

Amarapali

Jaipur Blue Pottery

M.I. Road

The Pastry Shop Country Inn

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Spa

C- Scheme

Shyam Nagar

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

Jaipur Jaipur Jaipur

Amer Road

Trimurti Circle M I Road

Civil Lines M I Road asdfdf

evenings. The cold waves at times lead to freezing temperature in this season. Jaipur is extremely warm during summers and cold during winters, though the nights are cooler throughout the year. The weather in summers is high on humidity and so drinking a lot of water becomes necessary in order to keep yourself fit. Even after the extremely hot summers, the monsoon season doesn’t prove to be a relief either. Delay in flights due to heavy rains, disruption on roads as they are washed away are some of the problems to be experienced if you visit this place during rainy season. Also, landslides are pretty common out there in monsoon season. Therefore, the apt time to visit this richly royal city of Jaipur is in the winter season. October to March sees a great rush of travellers from India and abroad. It is indeed the ideal time for touring Jaipur and attractions nearby. This place affluent in heritage, culture and art has numerous lovely attractions that facilitate you with a refreshing experience of this enriched place.

Main tourist attaractions Pink city has a lot of tourist attractions which attract ‘n’ number of travellers from India and abroad. Jaipur has lately developed as a

business centre, shopping zones have come up like Johari Bazar, Chaura Rasta, Kishanpole Bazar, also known as Char Diwari area.

This is the place that has the largest housing colony of Asia, Mansarovar. Sanganer in Jaipur is famous for handmade paper and hand-block painting. Jaipur is know as well as fort city of Rajasthan. The main attraction of the city are City Palace, Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jaigarh Fort, Jantar Mantar, Nahargarh Fort, Jal Mahal, Maharaja Sawai

Best time to visit The best time to visit this Pink City to bask in

at night. Early mornings and evenings are dominated by fog during winter season. Visit this wonderful place during these months and be all set to have a lovely vacation beating the heat. Winters have a strange spell on Jaipur which makes it a great place to

its heritage is between October and March when the heat of the sun is less severe and the weather comparatively cooler. It, therefore, also becomes the best season to stop over to the nearby Ranthambore and Sariska Tiger Reserves.

Situated at an altitude of 431 metres above the sea level, the climate of Jaipur is of extreme type. Winters in Jaipur witness a bright sun and pleasant climate each day. The temperature drops down to 5 oC

visit. The weather then is pleasant enough to take a trip round the city of Rajputs. But in case you are the one who avoids the rush of people, drop in the city during April. Not many people see this place in the month of April as it gets a bit hot by then. During monsoons, the flights usually get delayed, landslides are common. So it’s better to avoid this season too.

This magnificent city with a royal touch to it invites huge crowd, as it is the city of col-

Mansingh 2nd Museum, Albert Hall Museum, Gaitore, Statue Circle and Vidhansabha Bhawan.

Gardens

Temples

Money Ex.

Furniture

Sisodia Rani Ka Bagh

Birla Mandir

Weizmann Forex Ltd

Pink City Jam Palace

Handmade Paper Neerja International

Ramniwas Bagh

Moti Doongari Ganesh Mandir

Wall Street Forex

Kothari Jewells

Kuber Handicrafts

Kanak Virindavan Valley

Govind Dev Ji Temple

Globe Forex & Travel Ltd

Amarapali

Jaipur Blue Pottery

Jaipur-Agra highway Adarsh Nagar Amer Road

Tilak Nagar Tilak Nagar Tonk Road

Adarsh Nagar City Centre M.I. Road

Amer Road

Trimurti Circle M I Road

Civil Lines M I Road

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

Jaipur

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destination of the month

es. The up-gradation of airport has offered improved connectivity and wider choice of services to air travelers, boosting international tourism and economic development of the region. Frequently, during winter, many flights for Indira Gandhi International Airport are diverted to Jaipur airport due to heavy fog in Delhi.

Images used in this article are for repreesntation purpose only, editor/pubsilher have no right for these images.

ours, fairs and fests. Some of the prominent ones are the Elephant festival, Teej festival, Kite festival, Gangaur festival, Camel festival.

One should try and visit this land during the months of October to March. This pleasant weather ensures that you witness the royal Pink City, Jaipur with complete delight, and facilitates you with a refreshing and enriching experience.

for managing Jaipur BRTS has been given to JCSTL, a special purpose vehicle formed

by Jaipur Development Authority and Jaipur Nagar Nigam in a joint venture. The BRTS is expected to cater to city’s growing traffic for next 15–20 years. In Phase I, two corridors have been proposed: a “North-South Corridor” from Sikar Road to Tonk Road and an “East-West Corridor” from Ajmer Road to Delhi Road. A section of the North-South Corridor from C-Zone Bypass near Harmada to Pani Pech became operational in 2010.

Rail : Jaipur is connected to Delhi and all main cities in India.

Jaipur Metro : A rapid transit rail project by the name Jaipur Metro is under progress. It will provide means of faster commuting for the city residents. The metro project in the pink city is expected to start from December 2014.

Air : Jaipur International Airport is in the satellite town of Sanganer, 10 km from the city-centre, and offers sporadic service to major domestic and international locations.

Terminal 1 was earlier used for international and domestic flights, while Terminal 2 was reserved for domestic carriers.

Currently however, operations at Terminal 1 have been suspended for renovation reasons,and Terminal 2 is fully functional.

The airport handled 255,704 international and 1,267,876 passengers in 2009–2010.

Jaipur Airport also provides air cargo servic-

Local Transport Roads : National Highway No.8 links Delhi to Mumbai, National Highway 12 links to Kota, Baran Districtand National Highway 11 links Bikaner to Agra, passing through Jaipur district with a total length of 366 km.

RSRTC operates bus service to all the parts of Rajasthan and New Delhi,Uttar pradesh, Haryana, Madhya pradesh, and Gujarat.

City bus : City buses are operated by Jaipur City Transport Services limited (JCTSL) of RSRTC under JNNURM. The service operates more than 300 regular and low-floor buses. The three major bus depots are Vaishali Nagar (Jaipur), Vidyadhar Nagar and Sanganer.

Jaipur BRTS : Jaipur Bus Rapid Transit Service was approved by government in August 2006 for implementation. The responsibility

Cultural Birla Auditorium Statue Circle

SMS Hospital

Medical Tourism Bonanza Medical

Hospitals Sawai Man Singh Road

C-Scheme

Festivals

Tourist (2012)

Gangaur Festival

International

Teej

Domestic

April

Jawaharlal Nehru Marg

Sindhi Colony, Bani Park

J.F.M.S.Research

Jolly Health Care Jawahar Nagar

August

Ravindra Manch

Marudhar Hospital

Dr. Virendra Faco Sergery

Kite Festival

Jawahar Kala Kendra Ramniwas Bagh

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Khattpura Road

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

Tonk Road

January

53,4256 99,8703

Total

15,32,959

OFFBEAT

POSTCARD

Modernization Craze of modern resources is giving their impact not only in urban area but also in rural.

A rural women talking on mobile with a laptop on other hand.

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NOVEMBER2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

interview

Truly

Beyond Strokes

Long lasting and detailed meetings, tours by politicians, management of the administration, implementation of the issues concerning common citizens and a big pile of government files; Even amidst this chaotic official environment there exists an artist, who with a painting brush in her hands and imaginative thoughts in her mind, paints a colourful world of her own. Yes, you guessed it right; we are talking about Principal Secretary, Art & Culture, Rajasthan, Kiran Soni Gupta.

K

iran Soni Gupta is an artist, prolific writer, avid photographer and an accomplished administrator. She is an officer of the Indian Administrative Service presently posted as Principal Secretary Art and Culture in Rajasthan. She was selected

for the prestigious Mason Fellowship in 2005 for a Master’s in Public Administration

by Harvard University. She was also awarded a scholarship for a Master’s in Public Policy at the Maxwell School, Syracuse in 2004

Kiran has worked in different assignments in Government of India, Government of Kerala and Rajasthan. She has been the District Collector of two districts and Divisional Commissioner of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Ajmer.

The National Productivity Council NPC and NABARD have recognized her with National awards for her developmental initiatives.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, Kiran has kept up her interest in painting as an artist for more than two decades. It has been a rich journey of exploring her surroundings, environment, people and their culture during her varied administrative positions. Her works can be accessed on website www.kiransoniarts.com.

Kiran’s artwork” Poojatime” was exhibited at the most famous Le Louvre Museum in Paris, France in Dec 2012. Recently in July 2013, Kiran has been recognized for her achievements in the International Vaish Sammelan. She has been honored with the “ Unnat Bharat Sewa Shri Award 2013 “ Rajasthan Gaurav 2013” and “Nari Prathibha Samman” in 2012,” Kala Samridhi Award in 2010, “ Artist of the Year 2009”, “Special Achiever

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NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

“Kiran has effectively interwoven her world of art and administration. An underlying sensitivity and an empathetic attitude along with creativity places her in an extraordinary category of an accomplished artist and a successful administrator….”

- Ananda Bose Award 2009” and “Kala Shiromani Award” in 2008.

One of her paintings on the ‘Famine’ depicting its impact on women and children won the National Award in 2003.

Another painting ‘Matters of Heart’ was commended in the All India Fine Arts Exhibition in 2004. The Times of India has brought out a series of books on her artworks.

The artist has held more nearly three dozen solo art shows in major cities in India and in foreign countries including New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Toronto, Tehran, Kandy, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Her latest exhibit was” Desert Hues” at ITC Sonar Kolkata and “Desert Symphony” at the Nehru Centre Mumbai 2013. Her exhibits at the Nehru Centre, London in

2010 were inaugurated by Dr. Swaraj Paul and in 2011 at the National Museum, New Delhi

by Dr. Karan Singh.

Many institutions have been inviting Kiran to teach ethnic Indian Art including the East-West Centre, Hawaii and Centre for Adult Education, Harvard. She was awarded the Mallnitz art residency 2013, Valparaiso Fellowship, Spain 2010 and Centrum Residency, US in 2009,. Her artworks auctions in Cambridge for charity for children’s education have helped her in her vision for leveraging art for social causes. Kiran recent achievement has been to conceptualize, curate and organize Jaipur’s First International Art Festival in March 2013 with 130 artists from all over the world which was a great success.

Awards 2013 • Special Women Award by International Vaish Sammelan 2013 • Unnat Bharat Sewashri Damini Award 2012 • Rajasthan Gaurav Award 2012 • Meritorious Women’s Award 2011 • Valpraiso Fellowship at Mojacar, Spain 2010 • Kala Samridhi Award 2009 • Centrum Art Residency Port Townsend WA 2009 • Artist of the Year Award 2009 • Achiever of the Year Award on Women’s Day 2008 • Kala Shiromani Award, Jodhpur 2006 • J K Galbraith Fellowship, Harvard University 2005 • Ray Vernon Fellowship, Harvard University 2004 • National Award for the painting on “MATTERS OF HEART” in 63rd All India Art Exhibition, Hyderabad 2003 • National Award for the painting on “FAMINE” in the AIFACS Platinum Jubilee All India Art Exhibition 2002 • Best Performance Award given by National Bank Agriculture and Rural Development as • Chairman of the Cooperative Bank 2001 • Award for Integrity & Public Service given by Canadian Cultural Organization as District Collector & Magistrate, Ganganagar 1999-00 • National Productivity Award for best performance as M.D. of the Agricultural Marketing Federation 1998-99 • National Productivity Award for best performance as M.D. of the Agricultural Marketing

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

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art & technique

Tourist getting his picture click from Heritage Camera

Say Cheese

to

Heritage Click ď‚˜ Sajjan Singh

M

aharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur with his tireless efforts and foresightedness founded the most beautiful planned city where not only domestic but tourists from different parts of the world come and get immersed in the old memories of the city.

To preserve such memories one best option is the Heritage Minute Camera, which is available near Serahdyodi Gate, Hawa Mahal, which is the only camera left of its kind. The brother duo Tikamchand and Surendra Kumar, trained by their forefathers wait for the tourists for that one click of camera. They stand all day long, as a result only 6 or 7 tourists only take inter-

est to get themselves clicked and to be part of this heritage art form.

Tikamchand (45) says it is the arduous task to maintain these German made cameras of 1860 because the spare parts of this camera are not available here in Jaipur. We have to depend upon the metros like Delhi and Mumbai, to get paper and chemicals used in it. If any technical problem persists we repair it ourselves.

Before 1989 there were 6-7 other professional too who were associated with this unusual camera art but one by one they left this profession and seek other work owing to unemployment and lack of money. But as this art is something which has been provided to us by our

ancestors, we are still keep on working on it, with this hope that someday more and more tourist will acknowledge this technique and will take advantage of its quality. As Tikamchand says that government is keen on starting Heritage Walk by developing Jaleb Chowk into Artist Bazaar and also working on an idea to develop Vidhan Sabha Bhawan into an internationally recognized museum, we hope that we would get an opportunity to enhance our art form if Heritage Walk comes into existence. We are waiting for the government to take initiative to preserve this old world art which will employment to people who know this technique.

NOVEMBVER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

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fort & palaces

Forts:

Unforgatable stories Whenever the name of Rajasthan is mentioned anywhere, the first thing that clicks everyone’s mind is about the Fortresses, Castles and Palaces.

The forts and palaces located in different regions of Rajasthan has so much significance that the tourists never go off without visiting them.

Plenty of questions arise in people’s mind when they look at these gigantic forts. Like - Who made these forts…? When and How it was built…?

Moreover centuries has elapsed then also how these forts are standing yet with that same shine and pride...? Such kind of fortresses and palaces are also pride and an important part of Jaipur. So we are introducing some of them in this issue.

J

aipur is famous for its rich cultural heritage and has today become the most popular tourist destination in India. Here, one gets to see the architectural marvel of ancient forts and monuments that stand tall even to this day. The city has acquired the name, Pink City, because of the extensive use of pink color on the walls during the visit of Prince Wales. Jaipur today attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world.

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The city is garlanded by the presence of number of beautiful monuments that echo the splendid history of the city. Magnificent monuments such as Jaigarh Fort, Amer Fort, City Palace, Nahargarh Fort, Gaitore, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Jal Mahal, Rambagh Palace and Statue Circle etc. are spectacular sights which attract hordes of tourists every year. Nahargarh Fort, Jaigarh Fort and Amer Fort are the three of the oldest forts that provide great visual treat to the visitors.

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

Gaitore is a shrine dedicated to the Maharajas of Jaipur and is known for its exquisite carvings. Situated in the heart of Jaipur is the City Palace. The Statue Circle is a tribute to the founder of Pink city, Maharaja Jai Singh II. With so much heritage on display in the form of monuments, it is no surprise then that tourists coming to this city always feel the urge to come back.

City Palace : The City Palace is a historic landmark. The carved arches are supported

Jai Garh Fort

by grey-white marble columns studded with floral motifs in gold and coloured stones.

Two elephants carved in marble guard the entrance, where retainers whose families have served generations of rulers are at hand to serve as guides.

The palace interior houses a Museum containing select collection of various types of Rajasthani dresses, a fascinating armoury of Mughal and Rajput weapons; swords of all shapes and sizes, with chased handles, some of them inlaid, enamelled, encrusted with jewels and encased in bold and magnificent scabbards.

It also has an art gallery with a fine collection of paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit, acquired by Sawai Jai Singh-II for his study of planets and their movements.

Amber Fort : For seven long centuries before Jaipur was built, Amer served as the capital for Kachhwaha rulers of the old state of Dhundhar. Amer Fort is the complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples, which were built by Raja Man Singh, Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Sawai Jai Singh over a period of about two centuries.

The palace complex rising from the placid waters of the Mootha lake is approached through a steep path, now often traversed by tourists on elephant-back, to Singh palace and Jaleb Chowk. Two flights of stairs rise from one end to the chowk, one leading to the elegant temple of Shila Mata and other to the palace complex. The image of the Mother Goddess worshipped with reverence by thousands of devotees every day was brought from Jessore in East Bengal ( now in Bangladesh ) by raja Man Singh and installed here.

The front courtyard of the palace complex is dominated by the spectacular pillared hall of the Diwan-e-Aam and the double storeyed painted gateway Ganesh Pole.

Beyond the corridors and galleries on the either side of a small elegant Charbagh style garden are Sukh Niwas to its right and Jas Mandir to its left. The Jas Mandir in the upper floor combines the finest elements of mughal architecture and interior decoration in a Rajput setting with intricately carved jali screens, delicate mirror and stucco works and painted and carved dado panels. The older and simpler structures at the far end were built by Raja Man Singh in the later year of the 16th century.

The well proportioned Mohan Bari or Kes-

Jal Mahal

Albert Hall

ar Kyari in the centre of the Mootha lake and the Dilaram Bagh at its north end provide a spectacular view from the palaces above.

Jantar Mantar : Jantar mantar is one of Jai Singh’s five remarkable observatories.

Constructed with stone and marble its complex instruments whose settings and shapes are precisely and scientifically designed represent the high points of Medieval Indian astronomy. The Ram Yantras used for gauging altitudes are unique in their isolation.

This is the largest of the five observatories founded by Sawai Jai Singh-II in various parts of the country. It has been listed in UNESCO world heritage sites.

Major Yantras or instruments that you can watch moving clockwise are: Small ‘Samrat’, ‘Dhruva’, ‘Narivalya’, The Observer’s Seat, Small ‘Kranti’, ‘Raj’ ‘Unnathamsa’, ‘Disha’, ‘Dakshina’, Large ‘Samrat’, ‘Rashivalayas’, ‘Jai Prakash’, Small ‘Ram’, Large ‘Ram Yantra’, ‘Diganta’, Large ‘Kranti’.

Hawa Mahal : Built by the poet king Sawai Pratap Singh, the Hawa Mahal is the most strikingly designed monument in Jaipur. What is seen from the Sireh Deorhi Bazaar is the multiniched five storey high backside of the complex ( see it in photo gallery ). It was conceived to provide adequate vantage position behind delicate stone carved jali screens to the palace women for watching the royal processions passing through the bazaar below.

Jal Mahal : A tiny palace romantically located in the middle of a small lake, this was supposed to be a hunting lodge for the

royal family. It can only be viewed from the banks of the lake.

Albert Hall : It is situated in the beautiful garden of Jaipur city, Ram Niwas Bagh.

It was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh in the year 1886 under the drought relief work of Rs 4 Lacs. The design of the building was done by Sir Swinton Jaicob.

Presently the hall is used for museum purpose.

Nahargarh Fort : Beyond the hills of Jaigarh stand the Fort of Nahargarh like a watchful sentinel guarding Sawai Jai Singh’s beautiful city. Much of the original structures are now in ruins, but the lovely building added by sawai Ram Singh II and Sawai Madho Singh II still survive.

Jaigarh Fort : The western skyline is dominated by the extensive parkotas (walls), watch-towers and gateways of jaigarh. It is one of the few military structures of the mediaeval India preserved almost intact containing palaces, gardens, open and covered reservoirs, a granary, an armoury, a wellplanned cannon foundry, several temples, a tall tower and a giant mounted cannon-the Jai Ban - the largest in the country.

Gaitore : Located off the Jaipur-Amber road, Gaitore is the final resting place for the maharajas of Jaipur. Set in a narrow valley, the cenotaphs of the former rulers consist of the somewhat typical chhatri or umbrella-shaped memorials. Of special mention is Jai Singh’s chhatri because of the carvings that have been used to embellish it.

Nahar Garh , Jaipur

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Guide column

Tourist Guide :

A Mini Ambassador!

He starts afresh every day with a new mind set, a new cultural belief, and a new sense of identity. Whatever be the appearance of the visitors, he always carries a unique individuality of his own. Every single moment spent with this guide, completely immersed in the colours of the rich Indian culture, made us realize that even though we are in the 21st century, we should appreciate the value of our culture and tradition and feel gratified about it. When Abdul Naseer talked to guide Sajjan Singh about topics such as the role of a guide and tourism industry in Rajasthan, he express his agony of forty years.

Abdul Naseer (AN) What inspired you to become a guide?

Sajjan Singh (SS): I joined Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum in 1974 as a part time tourist guide along with my studies of LLB, for the purpose of self dependent. Later on I changed my mind and left advocate profession and begin tourist guide as a full time, cause behind this decision was I liked Interaction about culture history and monuments with people from the various country. As a Tourist Guide I feel myself a cultural ambassador.

AN : Did you take any special training or course to become a guide ?

SS: Although I got Maharaja Sawai Mansingh II Museum tourist guide license after completion of training followed by an exam conducted by SMS Museum Trust but I thought it is not sufficient so I took training in 1st Batch of State level Tourist Guide Training Program organizing by Government of Rajasthan

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at officer training School, Jaipur in 1976.

Three Tourist Guides are still active from that 1st Batch of State level Guide Training; Two Guides are working at Jodhpur (Mr. Madan Lal Jangid and Mr. Ishrak Hussein).

AN : How many languages do you speak and can you tell us as per your experience that most of the tourist comes from which country?

SS: Other than English Language I learned German Language from the University of Rajasthan but I got fluency in it when I travelled to Germany in 1984.

I think French tourists visit Rajasthan most, I also observed that French Tourist Love Rajasthan’s culture as they discover Rajasthan’s various location and having a great Quest for the various aspect of Rajasthan’s Culture and Heritage.

AN : What is the most preferred location to visit according to tourists ?

SS: Rajasthan have number of Tourist Destinations with Heritage values. Among them some most preferred by tourists are 1. Shekhawati - the open art Gallery 2. Jaislmer – Golden city, carving work on buildings and Sand Dunes 3.Hadoti Circuit- Painting of Budni, Historical Fort of Ranthambore - wild life Century , a tourist find here a lot of adventure.

AN : Do you think that tourists are satisfied with the available facilities over here and whats is the problem they usually face here ?

SS: Tourists are not satisfied from available Facilities. It seems that criteria of providing facilities are decided in departmental offices itself instead of visiting at the particular location and understanding the practical aspects of various problems faced by tourists. Tourist places and its surroundings are not neat and clean, linkages to tourist places is not proper, if some tourist wanted to visit street of City so tourists may find group of animals, Big Holes on roads, electric wires are not in proper or-

der, No Direction Marks, even street names are written in Hindi, products of businessman’s lies on heritage buildings and above all Hawker and unsocial elements always followings the tourists. These problems make hurdle in discovery of the tourism sites independently.

oriented, as a result cases of cheating and misbehave are rising.

AN : The special welcoming rituals ‘PADHARO MAHARE DESH’ of Rajasthan is loosing its original touch. What is your opinion about that ?

SS: “Padharo Maro Desh “was the slogan of Rajasthan since time immortal. At AN : Rajasthan is very famous for present this slogan is losing its glory as taking very good care of tourist modernization is rapidly taking place in citfrom there welcoming to ies. The Youth is following western culture and forgetting the rajasthani original culture. Foreign tour-Name : Sajjan Singh Rathore ists become unsatisfied as they -Age: 57 Year could not found the same image what they had in their mind -Home town & Working Place: for Rajasthan.

Kheri bari, Rajgarh, Churu & Jaipur Contact No.:09828151383

their stay over here.

Can you tell us what’s there opinion about the changing trends in tourism in Rajasthan ?

SS: No doubt Rajasthan is famous for the warm hospitality around the world. But now these days the scenario is rapidly changing as the warm feelings of hospitality is only found on papers of tourism products advertisements. Instead of hearties welcome of tourists, the tourism professional have become selfish and money

AN : Do you think that whatever necessary steps govt. and tourism department are taking towards development of tourism in Rajasthan are more than enough ?

SS: The Government took following important steps like as: For the security of tourists the organization of Tourists Assistant force (TAF), Tourism Advisory Board, Training to New Tourist Guides, Commencement of Heritage walks, Distribution of Tourism literature in order to raise awareness among the tourists, are very good contribution in resolving some tourist problems by the government. The steps of Rajasthan Government and Tourism Department are not enough and are very tiny against the requirements for the problems. So more strong steps are required to be taken and moreover implementation of these are needed so that the tourists can return back with sweet memories.

AN : Do you think there is any space of improvement in steps taken by govt for the tourism development in Rajasthan ?

SS: A transparency and awareness among tourism professionals and government is required. I am sure a combine contribution can raise goodwill of rajasthan tourism.

AN : As we all know that there is huge

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guide column

problembeing faced by foreign tourist regarding guide (LAPKE)who doesn’t have license to work. What steps the guide association and police are taking to improve the situation ?

SS: In last decade as the number of tourists raised the number of Lapke (unauthorized tourist guide) also rose. The steps taken by Tourist Guide Associations made Government aware about these Lapke problem.

So by combine actions of the both, Police Department and Tourist Guide Associations, some Lapka’s were caught by police and some Lapka’s changed their profession. Later on, Government gave training in order to fulfill the number of tourist guides requirement. Although lapke problem is in control but hawker and some unsocial elements took places of these lapka’s.

AN : Which places are perfect to see for a complete Jaipur darshan?

SS: For a complete Jaipur Darshan, followings sites can be seen which includes, the world heritage sites Jantar Mantar (the observatory) and Amer Palace, the famous Sawai Man Singh II Museum (The City Palace), Chandar Mahal Palace, Tara Mandal, Hawa Mahal, Birla Temple, Albert Hall Museum, Jagat Seromony Temple, Cenotaphs of Maharaja and Maharani, Nahar Garh Fort, Jaigarh Fort, the Heritage walk of Pink City where a tourist can find opportunities to discover the various heritage components of Jaipur City.

only its location in map but its heritage and cultural components make it an important part of Golden Triangle.

AN : Please share with us your best memorable experience with any foreign tourist?

SS: I got opportunity to give my guiding services to the guests (Dignitaries, Politicians, business tycoons) of Government and Jaipur Royal Family. There are lots of memorable moments I have to share which I got as an experience as a tourist guide. Here

Some important suggestions from Sajjan Singh 1. Fix Priced Tag should put on Commodity available on the Shop.

2. Government should provide a safe and secure Environment to travelers.

3. Timely organizing the Refresher course for Tourists Guides.

4. Number of Guide and number of Tourists arrivals Ratio should be maintain.

5. In any tourism meetings the tourists guide representatives should be invited.

For A Guide 1. A tourist Guide should be work as a mini ambassador of the country.

2. He should be a good companion to tourists.

Tourist Guide Associations: AN : Tell us something about tourism of Jaipur?

SS: Jaipur is world famous as the name of Pink city and Paris of India. The commonness in streets, color of houses, Squares, Markets, Beautiful Buildings with unique architecture, different streets with individual identity, tunnel walk from Amer Palace to Jaigarh fort, light and sound show at Jantar Mantar and Amer Palace, The Balloon Safari in Amer, the elephant riding at Amer Palace, make Jaipur a vibrant city. The short-coming for tourists are laser show in the City palace, International Museum in Town hall (old Assembly hall) and Artist market at Jalebchowk. Apart from these, all the places which I mention in Jaipur Darshan are making Jaipur a great Tourists destination. Not

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* Jointly do efforts for the removing misleading words for the tourist guides from the hoardings on tourist places.

Last message for People of Rajathan * Every Rajasthani Should host his guest with feeling of “Ghar Aayo, Maa Jayo”

NOVEMBER2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

I wanted to share two of them, late Rajmata Gaytri devi, she used to call me through his personal driver Mr. kalu singh for her VIP guests to the city tour in that sequence once she recommended me her guest from Switzerland who was actually making a documentary movie “Around the world” and for the same he had already taken interview of Prime Minister of india Indra Gandhi and Rajmata Gaytri devi for their Sari wearing style and this Swiss Youngman needs someone who can help to him in discovering the local culture in his documentary. not only I helped him I also enjoy and learns a lots of things in next three days, finally he success fully accomplish his mission and later on this documentary was also succeeded in Europe.

It is difficult to explain that how much he was impressed with me. His name is Mr.Jean Mark Probst. Secondly I wanted to share my fifteen days tour Experience with Scientists Couple from Germany named Mr. Hans Joerj Klein & Mrs. Doretea, I mate with them at city palace. Both of them like mine honesty and analytical approach towards culture.

Later on collectively Mr. Jean Mark Probst of Switzerland and Mr. & Mrs. Klein becomes my close friends and invites me to Europe for three months, I visited them and they hosted me very warmly. Still now we are friends and we share the news. On a regular interval they visit us. So it’s one of my achievements to gain these special friends through this profession. During that visit expect these friends I come in contact with many other native peoples of those countries they used to talks with me about the Rajasthani dress (Dhoti –kurta Safa and Mojdi).

Later on by taking inspiration from those peoples quest towards traditional dresses of Rajasthan I left wearing western dresses and till now I am wearing Rajasthani dresses and I feel proud on my Rajasthani Dresses. Recently Mr.Jean mark Probst inspires me to translate a French children book named “Le Petit Prince” into Rajasthani language “Nano Rajkanwar”, so I translated it. He bears all expense.

AN : What do you provide for a half day package and a full day package in Jaipur.

SS: A half day tour of a Jaipur, it’s better to begins with Birla mandir, then Albert hall Museum, Hawa Mahal, Amer Palace and coming back see Jal mahal on the way to Jantar mantar and to Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum (the City Palace).

For full day some more place can be add in above list again begins with Birla mandir, then Albert hall Museum, Hawa Mahal, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum (the City Palace), Jantar mantar, Cenotaphs of Maharja(Gatore), Cenotaphs of Maharani then Jal mahal on the way to Nahargarh fort, Jaigarh fort and Amer Palace and light and sound show in same Palace.

Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and private travel agencies also provide some of package tour for Jaipur sightseeing.

Special report

polo The pride of Jaipur

T

he polo ground, a few players with polo sticks in their hands trying hard to post a goal, saving the ball from the opponents, is Polo. The horses change after each round of the game but the players remain the same and so does the game.

According to the excellent polo commentator Thakur I.V.Singh - “Not only holding the leashes of the horse by one hand but formulating a strategy, managing the polo stick with the other hand, striding horses leaving a cloud of dust behind and the excited faces of the riders; make Polo the worlds’ most fast paced and thrilling game.”

From February to mid-April, thousands of tourists watch this electrifying game not only taking a glimpse from behind the boundaries but also sitting leisurely on the grass surrounding the ground, in Jaipur Polo club grounds at Rambaag Palace. The royal family’s love for Polo, the presence of 61cavalry Polo players from the army and the financial support of the corporate world has

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In the past Polo was played in Persia and China. It attained maturity in the cold regions of Himalaya such as Gilgitt, Chittral, Ladakh and Manipur and was known as ‘Chaugan’

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

secured Jaipur Polo a distinct recognition in the domain of tourist sport.

In the past Polo was played in Persia and China. It attained maturity in the cold regions of Himalaya such as Gilgitt, Chittral, Ladakh and Manipur and was known as ‘Chaugan’. Akbar endorsed it and promoted it among Rajput lords as a game in Agra.

Polo is illustrated in the Jaipur portraits and wall paintings and are the proof of its popularity among the Rajputs.

The entry of the British army in India gave a modern touch to Polo, British used to play Polo riding on small ponies. Post World War I, international rules were set for Polo and the same rules are followed in Polo till date.

In Jaipur around 1862, when Indian Polo Union was formed, Polo was already very popular. Jaipur team used to play against the British and India Cavalry teams like 11th Lancers, Central Indian cavalry, Inskilling, Drain Gardens etc. Jaipur Polo group, constituted in year 1933, gained international

recognition.

Established in the year 1933 the Polo group attained international fame. Erstwhile late king Savaii Maansinghji took Jaipur Polo team to England where it won all the eight matches and set new world records of winning all the matches in a row. Late king Maansinghji II was one of the world’s finest Polo players of 7th decade. When British queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip came to India in 1961, they specially planned a stay in Jaipur and a polo match was held where Prince Philip and king of Jaipur participated as players.

Jaipur Polo won the world title continuously from 1930 -1938. World War II was a big blow to this game. Immediately postindependence in 1950, Indian Polo Union invited World’s best Polo team, Argentina, to play in Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai. Victoria (Australia) Palm Beach and Brazilian army Polo teams came to Jaipur in year 1984-85.

King Lieutenant colonel Bhavani Singh, major Kishansingh, Kanwar Vijaysingh Rao and King Hanumant Singh were part of the team which was sent to France to participate in the world championship. In the year 1957, this team conquered the renouned teams like England, Argentina, Spain, Mexico and France to become the world champions.

The royal family of Jaipur has contributed significantly for the development of polo in India. The Late Savaii Maansingh II breathed his last on 24th June 1970 during a game of polo at Sairain Centre Polo ground in England. His wife, the Rajmata, Gayatri Devi, who was considered one of the most stunningly beautiful ladies in the world, was not only a very good polo player but also amongst the

Jaipur Polo won the world title continuously from 1930 -1938. World War II was a big blow to this game. Immediately post-independence in 1950, Indian Polo Union invited World’s best Polo team, Argentina, to play in Delhi, Jaipur and Mumbai

best polo commentators of her times. It is believed that the late king’s love for polo fascinated this erstwhile princess of Cooch Behar towards him and shaped the foundation of their marriage.

Erstwhile king of Jaipur, Brigadier Bhavani Singh and his brother Kumar Jaisingh have been excellent polo players. The fact that polo has survived for so long in Jaipur, India, is because of the passion for the game that Rajmata Gayatri Devi and Maharaja Bhavani Singhji shared. It was not only Prince Philip who made a personal visit to Jaipur to paly polo but also the future King, Prince Charles, stayed in Jaipur for many days, in 1980, with the sole intention to play the game.

During the Jaipur Polo session various such contests as the Mysore cup, President Cup, Kota Cup and Savaii Maansingh Gold Cup are structured. The excellent players of the Khatipura based 61st Cavalry Polo ground have contributed significantly in keeping this game alive in Jaipur. The Jaipur Polo sessions are full of passion because of these army players. Some of the country’s renowned players Raajkalan, H.H.Sodhi and V.P.Mehra played back. On the other hand Colonel Garcha, R.S.Barar played forward. It was a treat to watch young lieutenant Bhavani Singh and Arvind Singh from Udaipur, play at the Jaipur Polo Grounds.

Because of a dearth of good horses and it being a lavish game polo is losing its sheen, however, the audience relish excellent cut shots and exciting under-the-neck shots during Jaipur Polo sessions because some of the best players of polo play the game here, this is something which is a thing of pride for the Pink City.

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recommended hotel

Chokhi Dhani An Evince Of Rajasthani Culture Chokhi Dhani is a unique Village Resort that showcase the spirit of Rajasthan. It is a prototypical village that offers an ideal rural experience and a fulltu display of Rajasthani culture & hospitality. A nice place to sit and enjoy a peaceful time. We can see the culture of Rajasthan in full splendour. Away from the modern life the old-world charm in the resort showcase the right blend of traditions and modern amenities in a typical ethnic environment.

L

ocated on the suburbs of Jaipur, The Pink City of India, is Chokhi Dhani, replication of ethnic Rajasthani Village.

Spread on more than 18 acres of land, Chokhi Dhani is synonymous with Rajasthani Culture since 1989. In 1989 with Chokhi Dhani Village, as a part of ambience for a restaurant, over the years it has evolved as a tasteful and authentic symbol of ethnic village life of this most colorful state in the country. Built on typical Rajasthani theme, embedded with its rich heritage and lifestyle, it is a place where festivity never ends. Tradition infused with illustrious Rajasthani Hospitality makes Chokhi Dhani an unavoidable choice. Every day thousands

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of Inbound and Domestic Tourists and corporate clients congregate for a memorable experience.

In Chokhi Dhani Village you will find a different theme for each day, a festive celebration every time in a different manner with a purview of real rajasthani village culture in fun, entertainment, games, thrill, shopping, rajasthani diet, Rajasthani Kalbeliya Dance or Ghoomer or other folk dance , music and much more to look... to feel... to breathe... to taste... to experience.... whereas Chokhi Dhani Resort is not merely a modern resort with many facilities, but an experience to the Royal culture of Indian history. Warm hospitality in line with the Rajasthani tradition

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of “Padharo Mhare Des� transports you to the era of Thakurs, the village lords. It is an ideal place for a perfect vacation. It provide all facilities and services of any modern resort like Business meeting hall, Banquet Hall, Recreational facilities, Health Club, Swimming Pool, Spa, Steam and Sauna baths, Jacuzzi, a Gym and Massage facility, Beauty Parlor, Discotheque, Bar, Multicuisine Restaurant and more and some special facilities which you will find nowhere like Rajasthani special thali (Rajasthani Diet) in pure Ghee, Indian Hukkha, Traditional welcome with Tikka and Arti, Folk music which makes your feet dance, Ethnic decoration all around and in all cottages and Haveli Suites

and moreover the respect, love and care which an Indian gives to his guest... treated as God. CHOKHI DHANI RESORT It has 59 cottages, 33 royal cottages, 8 Haveli suites, 4 Conferences Halls, Ethnic and Multicuisine Restaurants, Outdoor Barbeque, Sheesha Lounge, Chandi Mahal Bar, Rhunjhun - Discotheque cum Bar, Kesariya - The Sansha Spa - all in Rajasthani village culture.

Chokhi Dhani is an ideal place for a perfect vacation or a business meeting or a royal wedding. It has multiple facilities fulfilling all the needs of its esteemed guests, especially those that are needed to make a guests’ stay, a memory.

Its quest for continuous improvement in terms of quality services & standards assures the guests that their comfort is in right hands. Chokhi Dhani Resort, literally meaning the “Fine Hamlet”, is a 5 star ethnic village resort - the only one of its kind in the country.

Embedded with the richness and variety of Rajasthani culture is Kotri, the Lobby. It brings a churn of the ethnicity that lies in Rajasthan, mud plastered walls, paintings, murals, beautifully carved furniture and artifacts.

All Resorts and Cottages are spacious, air-conditioned, with attached washrooms, running hot & cold water, telephone, in-room safe, teakettle, mini bars, etc. Richly and tastefully adorned with ethnic decor, they offer all comforts of a 5 star hotel plus the unique ambience that we are famous for.

A multicuisine restaurant in the ambience of live soft music is the unique Bindola Restaurant, aesthetically treating your taste buds and also your mind with the right kind of decor.

An abode that shines like moonlight in darkness, Chandi Mahal Bar has thousands of mirrors in its ceiling reflecting light.

Beadwork curtains, green marble floor & gilt furniture - a recreation of Udaipur’s beautifully mastered art and architecture adds up to the perfect mood that one expects in a bar.

Sun basking or just enjoying the blowing wind in open; the pleasure of eating delicious food in the premises of a tiled courtyard, the Chaupal is another such place.

Having 4 conference halls, the resort, with its ambience of a typical Rajasthani village, is also fully equipped to handle all your business needs. From small meetings to seminars of up to 250 persons, all arrangements can be handled with professional efficiency and warmth of service that is the hallmark of Chokhi Dhani.

To infuse some excitement and thrill into your stay at Chokhi Dhani, a recreational canter has been created, with gaming zone imbibing Virtual Games, Pool Games & a well-decked discotheque. Also Tennis can be played in the adjoining outdoor Tennis court To experience swimming with a difference, Chokhi Dhani is the right place. A dip in the sunken pool of the Kings, Kund offers the same. To keep you fit and to give the best of massages, Sansha Spa is the most authentic Kerala Ayurveda & rejuvenation center. Equipped with Steam and Sauna baths, Jacuzzi, a Gym and Massage facility & for beauty care and treatments of its guests, it also has a fully equipped Salon / Beauty Parlor Not only these, but world-class facilities, tasteful food, ethnic and royal look everywhere, eye-catching greenery and much more... will leave a deep impact which you will experience when you stay at Chokhi Dhani - The Pride of Rajasthan & India!

The warmth of service will make your stay one of the most comfortable and full of fond memories, making you come back to us again and again.

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

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recommended hotel

Chokhi Dhani Village Chokhi Dhani Village has been the mirror of Rajasthani culture since 1989. Started as part of ambience for a restaurant, over the years it has evolved as a tasteful and authentic symbol of ethnic village life of this most colorful state in the country. Today, the name of Chokhi Dhani is synonymous with Rajasthani culture throughout the country.

Spread over 10 acres of beautifully landscaped area for a rustic look, it is dotted with machaans & platforms where different folk artists perform concurrently. A village fair is created every evening as an ongoing celebration of the rich & vibrant cultural heritage of Rajasthan.

The display of traditional huts and workmanship will take you back to the times when splendor was unpretentious. Experience the rich warmth and rustic charm of a typical Rajasthani Village at Chokhi Dhanithe festivities never end here !!!

Live dance and music performance all through the evenings is one of the major attractions at Chokhi Dhani Village. The exposure that the local folk artistes have received has revived many of the arts and crafts that were getting all but forgotten in these modern times. Few visitors can resist the temptation to join the artistes and dance with the music.

The magic show, the puppet show, acrobatics on a bamboo without the protection of a safety net beneath, the astrologer, the fortune teller parrot all made the visitors spellbound.

The artificial forest with roar sounds of animals and tribes, boating, horse riding, camel riding, elephant riding and much more are here to rejuvenate you and your family.

The Chokhi Dhani Village also has a photo studio with traditional look, a national art and craft market, a museum and many more places showing rajasthani village culture , villagers’ lifestyle with a dining hall, renowned for the mouth watering and typical Rajasthani food. A place where you will

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enjoy to come and forget to leave... where you will get rid off your worries and you will drown with Rajasthani art, culture and respect for the guest.

Chokhi Dhani is a concept to join the rajasthani tribs from the world. Nowadays tourists are very much aware of rajasthan and its culture. But still they are far-far away from its roots. They know only a state of Kings... a place of snake charmers... and an emerging handicraft’s industry. But real rajasthan is still there in villages, the paintings..., art Bani Thani..., the wall decorations..., the cow dung plaster..., the pure food..., the fresh air..., the evening perfomances, the enthusi-

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

asm, the ‘manuhar’ (mouthful catering), the traditions, the costumes and at last but not least the feelings.

How to reach?

Chokhi Dhani is some 30 km from the main city. It can be easily reached by public or personal vehicles.

Places to see There is a ticket of ` 500 per person and includes the entry fee and a meal.

There were three kinds of ticket in Chokhi Dhani that included the meal charges. There are so many shops selling different Rajasthanis cuisine.

It is like a big rural party. One can buy clothes, eat almost anything, for entertainment there are magic shows, dance programs, and a lot of things.

Horse ride, came riding or bullock cart, whatever you want, is available here.

Boat riding is also an option.

Wherever we moved our eyes something were happening. Kalbelia dance, magic show, palmistry, camel cart, horse riding, foreigners are dancing with small children, boating, bullock cart, a tree decorated with lamp, haveli like small houses, paintings on the wall etc. etc. etc.

You can enjoyed a lot and the last thing. In is single sentence we can say that THIS IS A TRULY AMAZING PLACE. If you ever go to Jaipur never miss Chokhi Dhani, even you can plan a trip of Jaipur just because of this place. It is a most fascinating place of entire Chokhi Dhani. Havelis of different shape and sizes, beautifully designed and made of solid material like cement, still appeared like they are made of clay. With dim lighting they were looking so natural.

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CULTURAL PRIDE

RHYTHMS OF RAJASTHAN is an Initiative to collaborate with the various folk performing artists of Rajasthan. This project conceived in Jodhpur, Rajasthan by Nitin Nath Harsh a folklore promoter of Rajasthan. Nitin is working with over hundred of folk artists of Rajasthan from last 10 years.

He began his career in folklore of Rajasthan with legendry folklorist Late Padam Bhushan Komal Kothari.

The “Rhythm of Rajasthan” has a vision and mission to ensemble the top class folk performing artists of Rajasthan to come up with different performNitn Nath Harsh ing art genre to showcase their talent at national and international platforms In ‘09 and ‘11 RofR met with rave reviews on their cross Canada and US tours, that included performances at the Hollywood Bowl (opening for global superstar A.R.Rahman), the Kenney Centre (Maximum India), the 11th Chicago World Music Festival and the 5th Annual New York Gypsy Festival at the World Music Institute, and many other dynamic performances across the US and Canada.

The Rhythms of Rajasthan have proven time and time again that their performances are exciting forays into the musical and cultural heritage of Northern India and have captivated audiences worldwide. Rajasthan The Golden Desert (RTGD) caught up with Nitin Nath Harsh for a chat on the group’s past, present and future.

my career in Rajasthan’s performing arts with Late Padama Bhushan Komal Kothari.

In the early years, I was engaged mostly in the research and documentation of different folk performing arts of Rajasthan. Working for Komal da’s organization for six years, I documented approximately 300 hours of Video on different art forms. Later on, I decided to continue my career on same path which I feel was highly inspired by Komal Kothari. In 2007, I founded Rhythm of Rajasthan, which aims to promote top-class performing arts of Rajasthan including musicians, dancers, poets, acrobats and puppeteers.

RTGD: How did the idea of the group come about?

Nitin: While working on documentation of these Rajasthani artists, I was continuously impressed with the Rhythms. Rajasthani Folk Music has a very unique and versatile

RTGD: Tell us about your early days. How did you start off this group?

Nitin (For Rhythm of Rajasthan): I started

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NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

rhythm which reflects the essence of the vibrant land of the Thar Desert. So I named my project “Rhythm of Rajasthan” RTGD: How do you choose performers that come under ROR? Nitin: With the work I had done with Komal da, I got in touch with every talented folk performer in Rajasthan. I know now which musician is good on instrumental and who is better at supporting the group. I now have a clear vision on how I can assemble the best group according to performance necessity.

RTGD: How does the collaboration work?

Nitin: Time to time, I organize workshops and field tours to collaborate with new musicians. Occasionally I do studio recording for promotional work.

RTGD: Who would be the group’s biggest influences in music and in life?

A

Nitin: For me and my musicians, the only influence is Komal Kothari, because almost three generations of musicians have worked with Komal da. Whether we perform in India or internationally, we always remember him as our mentor (Guru).

RTGD: What was it like working with the legendary Komal da?

Nitin: It was a life changer. When I first contacted Mr. Kothari, I was not aware of his background. I joined him under technical: video shoot and editing. But later on, he pushed me into field research and documentation. And I spent 2 years doing various field recording projects. He also promoted my National and Foreign Documentary Project and sent me to participate in few International Conferences and Training workshops.

RTGD: Any promising young artists in the current scene, who you think can carry forward the torch of Rajasthani music?

Nitin: Yes, I am very impressed with Shakoor Khan Langa. He is a multi-instrumentalist musician. He plays the Algoja (Double Flute), Morchang and Khartaal.

I worked with his father too, Habib Khan Langa. He was also a multi-instrumentalist who played the Sindhi Sarangi, Algoja and Morchang.

RTGD: Lastly, any words of advice for the young aspiring musicians out there?

Nitin: Rajasthani folk music has survived only with the help of the traditional “Jajmani� patrons systems. For centuries, these musicians are performing their music for their patrons in villages. This tradition keeps them connected to their roots and also enriches their culture.

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event time WHAT: Jodhpur RIIF Festival WHEN: 21st to 26th October 2013 WHERE: Jodhpur

Photo Courtesy: Mohd. Sharif

Five day festival of RIFF completed at the majestic Mehrangarh Fort and in the ‘blue city’ - Jodhpur last 21st October. Jodhpur RIFF is a partnership project involving two heritage trusts Mehrangarh Museum Trust and Jaipur Virasat Foundation.

Since last seven years, it is continues to bring together interlinked and distinct musical strands to create a full programme around the exceptional variety of Rajasthani traditional and global roots music.

This genre-independent festival includes unique events from dawn to dusk, from devotional concerts to hip club nights and exciting collaborations between Rajasthani and Nordic, British, West Asian and Australian artists… serene folk and classical mornings, interactive daytime immersive sessions, unusual dances and beautiful evenings in the famous ‘Desert Lounge’… all under the full moon sky.

38

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

WHAT: Marwar

Festival WHEN: 16th October WHERE: Jodhpur

In Marwar festival cultural performances, music and dance were the order of the day.

Besides the song and dances that are the hallmarks of the Marwar Festival, the audience is regaled with Rajasthani folklore that keep the myths and beliefs of yester years alive.

Competitions and activities like dance, music, costumes, turben, horse riding and polo complete the scintillating event.

Ranakpur Festival held at the world famous Ranakpur Jain temple located in Desuri tehsil in the Pali district of Rajasthan from 18th to 21st October.

Department of Tourism, Rajasthan in association with the district administration of Pali organized this festival which comprises holy chanting, cultural programmes, conventional Kathak performances and Classical Bharat Natyam and Rajasthani folk performances as well as renditions by renowned vocal artists and dance performers.

Photo Courtesy: Mohd. Sharif

WHAT: Ranakpur Festival WHEN: 18th to 21st October WHERE: Ranakpur (Pali)

Photo courtesy: Narpat Rawal Sadri

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

39

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jharokha

Dholavira

Remains Of Houses

....where they built the world’s first private toilets, the world’s first stadium and the oldest street signboard in history

 Aparna Joshi

T

he tar melts on the long winding state highway in Kutch under an unforgiving sun.

The road, flanked on both sides by the bleached expanse of the Rann, with not a tree in sight to break the monotony, leads to the border of the country. It’s the border on the jagged edges of Gujarat where the Arabian Sea sends in long fingers to caress the Gulf of Kutch. It’s here, tucked into the folds of land that time forgot, that Dholavira stands.

Most travellers have their fill of Kutch with Bhuj and its surrounding government propped villages where artisans dutifully churn out lavishly coloured embroidered extravaganzas. A few daring souls have begun trudging up to the White Rann, after having watched Amitabh Bachchan do his spiel for Gujarat tourism on the telly. But very few brave the unending roads that take you through Bhachau, Rapar, Amrapar and then on to the last post – Dholavira.

This is where, over 5000 years ago, urban civilisation in the Indian subcontinent began.

Seven times was it peopled, abandoned, rebuilt and deserted. Seven times did those strange people we call ‘Harappans’ build

their homes here, in various fashions, established a mind boggling system of governance and water management and lived in apparent peace. No wars were fought here.

Or at least no evidence has been left behind.

By the beginning of July, the harsh sum-

From this issue onward, we are introducing our new column “Jharokha”, which looks at interesting places in states neighbouring Rajasthan

mer sun relents enough to let in a few monsoon breezes, but no overpowering showers are anyway expected here – it’s the desert region after all. The first glimpse of the excavated site of Dholavira is a pure humbling experience. You walk over a now empty water reservoir, deep and vast, to encounter a stone wall that was once part of an imposing citadel. The dog leg entrance still stands, reminding you that even if the people were peaceful, they were not averse to a strong mechanism of defence from sudden attack.

The very limestone and sandstone used to build the massive edifices emanates warmth – they tell the stories of the people who quarried limestone a few miles away and shifted the blocks here to be carved into mathematically precise pillar holders, foundations for the citadel and platforms. When Ravjibhai Solanki, who has been part of the excavations since they began in 1989, shows you the grooves made by ropes pulling up water from the massive well 4000 years ago, you cannot help the goosebumps.

There’s more. The first reservoir you were overwhelmed by was just one of 16 such, encircling the entire city. Rainwater and the monsoon fed Manhar and Mansar rivers, chaneled and filled the reservoirs in turn and sourced water into the well. The well in

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

41

jharokha

Underground drainage system and manhole for cleaning

turn channelled water into a nearby underground ‘cooling tank’ where filtered water was let in and stored amid stone slabs that hid a second layer of earthen plaster which helped cool the water till the folks came to collect it. Another channel took water to an underground shower where folks would walk down to enjoy either a refreshing summer shower or a ritual bath, and a stone slab at the bottom could be unplugged to drain and clean this bathroom from time to time.

All this, remember, in an area that barely notches up 200 mm of rainfall per annum.

The Dholavirans were cousins to the citizens of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro, both cities we know so well thanks to our history books. But it still surprises many to learn that neither city lies in India today. Which is why we should probably be even prouder to have discovered a city like Dholavira – which despite the ravages of time, stands tall and ready to tell its story – should you care to listen. Sift a few layers of sand and you can easily come across tiny carnelian beads – those remarkable vermilion fired versions of agate – that were Dholavira’s principal item of export in the form of jewelry. Look

42

First glimpse of excavated Dholavira

closer and you could find a tiny piece of a terracotta bangle – perfectly formed with tiny notches all over its delicate pink surface.

Whose hand did it adorn? Male or female?

Pottery sherds found at Dholavira even today

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

Worker or housewife? Scientist or artist? We know so little.

But the extensive work done at Dholavira done by the Archaeological Survey of India over 15 years allows us a fair glimpse into what may have been, all those centuries ago.

Houses, with three to four square rooms, each with a bathroom and toilet attached, can be easily made out. The famous drainage system of the Indus Valley civilisation, is in full evidence here – sewage pots outside each bathroom to store waste, curved nallahs, straight drains, covered drains, slabs to carry out excreta – you couldn’t fault the hygiene habits of the Dholavirans. Remember, all this at a time, when the rest of the known world was probably still to know the advantages of regular baths and personal hygiene and a private toilet!

They have left us pottery, terracotta figures, ivory beads so tiny a breath could blow them away, but we don’t know how they achieved the scientific knowledge required to build the huge reservoirs, those interlinking channels, the mathematically accurate ratio for building everything from bricks to beads and we don’t know if they wor-

One of the immense reservoirs, cut from single rock

shipped any gods as we know gods today.

We know they traded, and that they traded far and wide – all up to Mesopotamia and Egypt and probably colonised those regions – but we don’t know how they built up awesome navigational skills in order to do that.

Stand on the edge of the citadel on a clear summer morning and there, in the distance, a mere 50 kms away across the Rann, is Pakistan, says Ravjibhai. Somewhere in the midst, the long forgotten Saraswati used to flow here. Back then, muses Ravjibhai, you could perhaps walk up to Harappa from here.

Dholavira overwhelms you with its imposing citadel of rock and the bailey that surrounds it...those magnificent water structures take your breath away. But walk down the eastern entrance to the citadel and there are more global ‘firsts’ awaiting you – a 10 feet long signboard with huge signs now lies covered and protected against the elements . But once upon a time, it proclaimed something important – a welcome to the city, perhaps, or the entrance to an important household? No one would know till the Indus script stays elusive.

Just across sprawls a huge ‘stadium’ – a

Impressive eastern entrance of fort citadel

Circular houses-what they went back to after decline of harappan civilisation

huge open ground flanked by seating arrangement where the Dholavirans converged- for what? Sporting events? Bullock cart races? Or industrial expos of their wares for visiting overseas merchants? Any one or probably all of these. The first stadium

Amazing precisely cut ‘pillar holders’

of such proportions probably anywhere in the world, avers Dr R S Bisht, who led the excavations.

Back in the trim little museum that sits snugly beside the entrance to the site, an excavated stone slab proudly shows notches cut into it for a board game – not dissimilar to the ludo games we are familiar with today.

Again, another first? So many questions, such few answers. Most of the dice uncovered during excavations have been carted away to the National Museum in Delhi but they bear an uncanny resemblance to their modern contemporaries.

Why did a civilisation so advanced for its times, have to fade away? Why did we, as a people retain such few memories of the immense advancements they made? Why did the Harappans go back to a primitive way of life? Do we somewhere in our genetic makeup still carry traces of the Harappans?

Just as our collective conscious still remembers the board game we played back then, do we still carry some hidden memories within us? Are they still practised by some of us who still live closer to nature in parts of the country where the Harappans lived?

So many questions, such few answers.

HOW TO REACH AND WHERE TO STAY

D

holavira is truly the back of beyond, and it takes five hours by road either from Bhuj or Ahmedabad. The roads are exceptionally good right up to the excavated site, but one cannot expect much by way of fancy lodging and boarding. The state government has a property – Toran – which has put up cute circular cottages with high conical ceilings, and these come comfortingly

equipped with airconditioning should you be travelling in the summer months. The best months to visit Dholavira are from November till March. It can be biting cold at night, but you can also enjoy the Kutch

festival that draws hordes of foreign tourists during the season.

Public transport is effective till Rapar where state transport buses ply regularly, after that you are on your own. It’s better to hire your own vehicle from Ahmedabad and plan for an overnight stay. The site and museum would take up at least one whole day to get you well and truly soaked in its magnificence.

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

43

OFFBEAT

POSTCARD

44

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

Live of performacnce Rajasthan’s famous Ghoomar dance NOEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

45

fort & palaces

Cooking Is My

Passion...

RTGD : What made you want to become a chef?

Pushpendra : I had a passion for cooking since childhood. Therefore I decided to become a chef. So in the year 2005 I completed my Graduation (B.Sc.) in Hotel Management. It was not after seeing anyone that I decided to become a chef.

Chef Pushpendra Home Town : Jodhpur Working Place : Jaipur

RTGD : Do you have taken special training for become a chef and your first job experience?

Pushpendra : Yes, after completing B.Sc. I took training in Institute of Taj Hotel at Jaipur and Udaipur. Then associated myself with the catering industry and joined Amar Caterers at Jodhpur to gain work experience.

RTGD : Why do you think Rajasthani food is so popular in worldwide?

Pushpendra : Well, Rajasthan is famous worldwide, So Rajasthani cuisine has its own peculiar significance. It has been seen that many foreign tourist’s have a craze towards Rajasthani food. Large number of foreigners can be seen learning to make Rajasthani dishes in special cooking classes during their Rajasthan visit. Rajasthani cuisine is tasteful and nutritious as well.

Proficiency : Veg, Non veg and etc... : Mostly Veg Achievments: Secured 3rd position in International ICA Competition. Also got a top position in AAHAR Fair held in delhi

RTGD : What is the dish that you most enjoy creating?

Pushpendra : LASAGNA (an Italian dish) is my favorite and I love and enjoy making this dish.

RTGD : Do you teach or trained people?

Pushpendra : Yes, I run my own institute with name Cuisine Caterers in Jaipur.

Where we train large number of students.

RTGD : Which other chefs do you most admire or who is your role model?

Pushpendra : Well, Jairaj Sabnani is my role model in this field. I have learnt a lot seeing him.

RTGD : What are the challenges in teaching people how to cook?

Pushpendra : Actually, sometimes we have to face challenges. Because there are number of trainees, mostly ladies, who keep on working on their own recipes. It is very difficult to impart training to them sometimes.

RTGD : What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to someone thinking of becoming a chef?

Pushpendra : My only advice is that, with cooking as a hobby, a person should have an urge to learn and excel oneself in this field. There are ample opportunities in this field, thus the only need is to be self determinant to become successful.

44

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

Chef’s Corner

Pittod Ingredients:

For garnishing :

minutes on low flame in a sauce pan.

* Water 2 cup

Pour on working table and flat it .cut 2

For rolls :

* Lemon juice 2 tsp

inch straps and make rolls .

* Gram flour 1cup

* Green chili 2 no.(2 inches cuts)

* Curd 1cup

* Coriender leaves 1 tbsp (copped)

Garnishing :

* Turmeric 1/2 tsp

* Fannel seeds 1 tsp

Heat oil in a pan and add all dry spices

* Cumin seeds 1 tsp

* Musterd seeds 1/2 tsp

and cook 1 minutes add green chili

* Hing a pinch

* Oil 1 tbsp

sticks and fry it.

Pour water, lemon juice, salt, coriender

* Salt 1 tsp * Oil 1tbsp

Method :

and this mixture pour on pittod rolls

Mix curd, gram flour, cumin seeds, oil,

and serve it ....

salt, turmric, hing, and cook for 5-6 Courtesy:

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Chef Pushpendra

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FILM LOCATION

Shuddh Desi Romance

Shaam gulabi, sehar gulabi Pehar gulabi, hai gulabi ye shehar Film makers are always attracted towards Pink City, Jaipur. Eminent film directors like K.Asif, Satyajeet Ray, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Rohit Shetty, Anil Sharma & Maneesh Sharma have pictured Jaipur in their imaginations and recorded it in their films.  Akshaya Pande

W

ant to see the cameras rolling...

You no longer have to go to Mumbai. The royal splendour of Rajasthan has always attracted not only bollywood but hollywood as well. The backdrop of hills, flora and fauna makes it an excellent place for film shooting and music videos. Jaipur, the capital, itself witnessed many cameras, eminent directors and renowned actors for last several years. Many blockbusters had their memories while shooting in Jaipur. From “Mughal-e-Azam” to “Shuddh Desi Romance”, many films have been shot in Jaipur and it has always been a director’s favourite location.

Veer, Bol Bachcan, Ajnabee, Delhi-6, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Bhool Bhulaita, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Sonar Kila and recent relaease Shuddh Desi Romance are some of the prominent movies been shot in Jaipur. Moreover hollywood movie Kate Winslets starrer Holy Smoke has some locations of Pink City. While this is all current news, let’s go into flashback mode and recount the 1995 Akshay Kumar starrer “Sabse Bada Khiladi” and its song “Bholi bhali ladki”, which was extensively shot in Jaipur’s Birla Mandir. Remember the “Masti ki

48

paathshala” song from “Rang De Basanti” It was shot at the Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur, and after this song, the Nahargarh Fort became the hotspot for all who visited the city.

More Interestingly, when it comes to period films, Jaipur is a sure shot winner. In 2005, JP Dutta’s “Umrao Jaan” was filmed in the City Palace, and in 2007, the shooting of Goldie Behl’s “Drona” commenced at the Lalgarh Fort in Bikaner, and moving through

Delhi 6

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

Mumbai’s Film City to Namibia in Africa, it returned to Jaipur for the climax. Likewise, Indian epic film “Jodha Akbar” was shot at several places in North India including Rajasthan, Agra and Ajmer. Remember the scene in which Jodha is cooking for Akbar, she uses the same kadhai which is placed in the Amber Fort. Amber Fort is also pictured during the narration of the movie.

Many Interesting Instances are there

Mughal-e-Azam

Over the years, as the film industry has developed, the various exotic locations across Rajasthan have been featured in a wide number of movies which has made the directors to come Jaipur. The Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor’s starrer Delhi-6 was mostly shot in Jaipur. As per the story “Delhi 6” was set in the walled city of Delhi, but in 2007, director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Some of the films shot in Jaipur

Veer

recreated the Old Delhi locations in Jaipur and shot most of the movie in Sambar, few kilometres from Jaipur.

In 2009, Salman Khan starrer “Veer” was shot at the Amber Fort, and though later, there was a controversy as the wall of the fort collapsed during the shoot. In 2008, Vinay Shukla’s “Mirch” was shot briefly at the Panna-Meena Baudi – a place near Amber Fort.

Being a historical city, it offered the kind of location which every director wanted for their film. And it will not be exaggerating to say that Jaipur will always remain as the spectacular spot for movies and serials.

• Mughal-e-Azam (1960) • Sonar Kella (1971) • Chor Machaaye Shor (1974) • Sabse Bada Khiladi (1995) • Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998) • Holy Smoke! (1999) • Ajnabee (2001) • Rang De Basanti (2006) • Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) • Delhi 6 (2009) • Veer (2010) • Trishna (2011) • Bol Bachchan (2012) • Shuddh Desi Romance (2013)

Prime Locations

• The City Palace • Jantar Mantar • Hawa Mahal • Govind Dev Ji Temple • Ram Niwas Bagh • Dolls Museum • BM Biral Auditorium • Jain Temple • Moti Doongari & Laxmi • Narayan Temple • Galta Ji • Nahargarh • Amer Fort • Old City • Sanganer • Sambhar

Bol Bachchan NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

49

feature

DANCING To The Tunes

An age-old custom, the Kathputli art tradition is an integral part of Rajasthani art and culture. No village fair, no religious festival and no social gathering in Rajasthan is complete without the Kathputli show. Despite the advent of modern technology, it is only the love of the people all over that the art of Kathputli has survived the test of time  Rahul Sharma

T

he literal Hindi translation for the word ‘puppet’ is kathputli, but this can be misleading. All kathputlis are puppets but all puppets are not kathputlis, which is the name for the stylistically distinct, traditional string puppets of Rajasthan.

Kathputli is a puppet made of kath or wood and the puppeteers are called Nats or Bhats, a wandering community from Rajasthan who perform their khel or show during the dry season and return to their villages to cultivate the fields after the rains.

The puppeteers believe in the divine origin of their art and claim to have been the chief performers during the reign of the legendary King Vikramaditya, whose life and achievements they extol.

In Rajasthan puppet performances, the stories are mostly about the exploits of local heroes, unlike other Indian puppet traditions that revolve around the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. One hero who appeared often in the State’s puppet performances was Amar Singh Rathore, the ruler of Nagaur in the 17th century, who was a great patron of the Bhat community. The kathputli tradition traces its origin to Nagaur.

52

By tradition, the puppet performances comprise 52 puppets in the puppeteers’s repertoire. Any less would be considered an incomplete puppet performance. The story of Amar Singh Rathore would be told to small groups in localities within the four walls of the mohalla or neighbourhood, ensuring the participation of the entire audience. The puppeteer would be an actor and also a puppet manipulator. Today, however the puppet performance relegates Amar

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

Singh Rathore to the background and tricks and turns once performed for royal amusement take the centrestage. There is the magician, the acrobat, the dancer Anarkali, the drummer Kharbar Khan, a horse rider with lit torches in his hands, and a snakecharmer.

Also among the cast of characters are the juggler and the Bahurupia, with two faces either carved back to back or so devised that

with clever manipulation, one face is covered while the other is exposed.

The kathputlis heads and headgears are carved from mango wood with large, stylised eyes. They are up to 60 cm tall, wearing costumes made in the period Rajasthani style as seen in phad paintings. Their bodies are made of cloth and stuffed rags. With a few exceptions, kathputlis are made without legs, and from waist down wear a long pleated skirt of light material. Traditionally, kathputlis were carved by craftsmen in Sawai Madhopur, Bassi and Udaipur, but the Bhats now make their own puppets.

A kathputli performance is presented by placing two charpoys (string beds) vertically and tying bamboos across them. The front cloth curtain with scalloped arches is known as the tibara or Taj Mahal. It hides the manipulator’s body and feet during the performance. The puppeteer often improvises his narrative on the spot to hold the attention of his audience, while his wit and comments enliven the performance.

He speaks for the kathputli characters in a squeaky voice with a bamboo whistle known as boli, thereby creating a unique puppet language. The dholak player converses with kathputlis so that the audience can follow the course of the drama. This dialogue is cleverly coordinated with songs sung by the women of the family to the accompaniment of the dholak. kathputlis are usually manipulated with only a string, one end of which is attached to the kathputli’s head and the other to its back.

Most string puppet traditions around the world use a cross for manipulation; the weights in the puppet’s torso, feet and

The kathputlis heads and headgears are carved from mango wood with large, stylised eyes. They are up to 60 cm tall, wearing costumes made in the period Rajasthani style

hands help the puppeteer to create movement. It is the sheer skill in the manipulator’s fingers that create the movements.

The string is looped around the puppeteer’s fingers and all movements are generated by a series of jerks on either end. A bracelet of bells or ghungrus, is worn by the puppeteer on his wrists.

The dancing girl is a special type of kathputli – it has four strings and its limbs are sewn in such a manner that a range of movements such as the swinging of the hips and the arching backwards during a dance can be produced. The puppet has a needle concealed in its fingers that attaches itself to her pallu or her ghagra. Thanks to this device, the puppet can coquettishly cover and uncover her face.

For almost 400 years now, the kathputli-wallahs have travelled far and wide throughout India, performing with their puppets and leaving behind vivid memories of their dramatic performances, that may be the best known and the most remembered of the 20 or more traditional forms of puppetry.

Today, there is a museum and a centre for puppetry at the Lok Kala Mandal in Udaipur.

In New Delhi, there is a large settlement of kathputli puppeteers at the Shadipur Depot, also called the kathputli colony. Five-star hotel guests and crowds at Surajkung Mela and Dilli Haat have replaced the mohalla audiences for puppet performances, which are any case a watered down version of the past. Yet one can see the infusion of the modern techniques and ideas in many, and it can be as heartwarming as it was centuries ago.

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NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

53

upcoming events

Pushkar Fair, Ajmer 2-10 Nov. Chandrabhaga Fair, Jhalawar 9-11 Nov

Hanumangarh

Bikaner Alwar Bharatpur Jaisalmer

Nagaur

Jaipur

Jodhpur

Kota

Udaipur

Pushkar Fair, Ajmer

2-10 November

Gangaur Fair, Jaipur

6-7 April

Chandrabhaga Fair, Jhalawar

9-11 November

Mewar Festival, Udaipur

6-8 April

Winter Festival, Mount Abu

29-31 December

Mahaveerji Fair, Mahaveerji

12-18 April

Camel Festival, Bikaner

18-19 January

Summer Festival, Mount Abu

15-17 May

Brij Festival, Bharatpur

02-04 February

Teej Fair, Jaipur

2-3 August

Nagaur Fair(Ramdeoji Cattle Fair) 10-13 February

Kajli Teej, Bundi

15-16 August

Desert Festival, Jaisalmer

16-18 February

Dussehra Festival, Kota

4-6 October

Baneshwar Fair, Hanumangarh

14-18 February

Matasya Festival, Alwar

4-5 October

Elephant Festival, Jaipur

19 March

Marwar Festival, Jodhpur

10-11 October

Keladevi Fair, Karauli

31 March

54

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

FLIGHT SCHEDULE Departure (Delhi)

Airlines

Days

Arrival

Flight Num

(Jaipur) 07:00

Spicejet

Daily

08:00

SG133

07:05

JetKonnect

Daily

08:05

9W2249

10:25

JetKonnect

Daily

11:30

9W2251

12:00

Air India

Daily

12:50

AI612

15:30

Jetair

Sun

16:15

9W2625

18:40

Jetair

Daily Ex Sun

19:40

9W2625

Airlines

Days

Arrival

Flight Num

Departure (Mumbai)

(Jaipur) 05:40

Indigo

Daily

07:15

6E207

05:45

Jetair

Daily

07:30

9W2055

09:00

Air India

Daily

10:40

AI611

11:20

Indigo

Daily

13:00

6E296

14:55

Go Air

Daily

16:35

G8391

18:10

Spicejet

Daily

20:10

SG218

19:15

Jetair

Daily

20:50

9W2053

20:10

Indigo

Daily

21:50

6E217

Airlines

Days

Arrival

Flight Num

Departure (Bangalore)

(Jaipur) 11:00

Indigo

Daily

13:25

6E441

12:20

Go Air

Tue

16:35

G8391

12:40

Go Air

Daily Ex Tue

16:35

G8391

18:15

Go Air

Daily

21:45

6E152

(Chennai)

Airlines

Days

Arrival

Flight Num

07:10

Spicejet

Sun

11:10

SG912

07:10

Spicejet

Daily Ex Sun

12:35

SG912

14:05

Indigo

Daily Ex Tue/Sat

18:15

6E237

(Hyderabad)

Airlines

Days

Arrival

Flight Num

(Jaipur)

Flight Num

Departure (Jaipur)

Departure (Jaipur)

08:50

Spicejet

Daily Ex Sun

12:35

SG912

09:10

Spicejet

Sun

11:10

SG912

19:50

Indigo

Daily

21:45

6E152

Airlines

Days

Arrival

Departure (Kolkata)

(Jaipur) 05:30

Indigo

Sun

07:40

6E238

07:55

Indigo

Daily Ex Sun

09:35

6E238

14:40

Indigo

Daily

16:55

6E208

*Please confirm final schedule with the respective airlines

Jai Garh Fort

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

55

HOTEL DIRETORY

JAIPUR HOTEL DIRECTORY NAME OF HOTEL

ADDRESS

CONTACT NOS.

EMAIL

Amer City Heritage

B-2, Near Brahmpuri Police Station

2670427

hotelamercity@gmail.com

Aurum Hotel

175, Vishnu Marg, Officers Campus,Khatipura

141 235 5080

sales@aurum-india.com

Apple Inn

E-7, 36, Nirman Nagar, DCM, Ajmer Road

9571073777, 9571079777

htlappleinn@gmail.com

Alsisar Haveli

Sansar Chandra Road

(91-141-5107175) (91-141-2364652)

alsisar@satyam.net.in

Bella Casa

1, Ashram Marg, Tonk Road Junction

0141-2720532

resv@hotelbellacasa.com

Bhim Vilas

1 GopinathMarg, Behind G.P.O

141-2370614

bhimvilas@gmail.com

Bharat Mahal Palace

16, Parivahan Marg, C-Scheme, Near Civil Lines

(91-141-2365498)

bharatmahalpalace@rediffmail.com

Blue Heaven

Pareek college road, Banipark

141-4050700

info@blueheavenhotelsjaipur.com

Bissau Palace

Chandpole

0141-2304371,2304391

bissau@sancharnet.in

Castle Kanota

Village Kanota, Agra Road

141-256 1291, 256 3448

info@hotelnarainniwas.com

Castle Kalwar

Post Office Kalwar

141-2589452

castlekalwar@gmail.com

Cambay Spa & Resort

SP- 36B, RIICO Industrial Area, Opp. Le Meridien Hotel, Delhi-Jaipur Highway

(91-1800-2336655) (91-0141-4026269)

reservation@thecambay.com

Chirmi Palace

Dhuleshwar Garden, Sardar Patel Marg, C-Scheme

0141-2365063

info@chirmi.com

Chokhi Dhani Resort

12th Miles, Tonk Road, Via Vatika

(91-141-2770555)

cd_dso@chokhidhani.com

Comfort Inn Hawa Mahal

Civil Lines, Ajmer Raod

0141-5108897-8

hotelhawamahal@yahoo.com

Comfort Inn Hawa Mahal

Ajmer Road, Civil Lines,

(91-124-4567121)(91-124-4567111) rsodelhi@choicehotelsindia.com

Country Inn and Suites By Carlson

Khasa Kothi Circle,

(91-0141-5103300)

prem@cdmsindia.com

DeraRawatsar

D -194/C, Vijay Path,Behind Sindhi Camp Bus Station, Bani Park

141-220 6559, 220 0770

service@derarawatsar.com,

Divine-The Boutique Hotel

Govind Marg, Raja Park

141 4677677

info@divinejaipur.com

Dodas Palace Hotel

388-389, Lane No. 2 , Raja Park

0141- 2620870,

info@hoteldodaspalace.com

Devraj Niwas

Near MotiMahal Cinema, Bani Park

9001277333

info@devrajniwas.com

Dera Mandawa

New Mandawa House, Sansar Chandra Road

141-5118490

info@deramandawa.com

Empire Regency

D-1, Madho Singh Road, Near Collectrate,

0141-5103666

hotel_empire2006@yahoo.co.in

Fort Rajwada

No-1, Hotel Complex, Jodhpur Barmer link Road

02992-253233,253533

sales@rajwadafort.com

Gorbandh Palace

1, Hotel Complex, Sam Road

02992-253801-10

crs@udaipur.hrhindia.com

Hari Mahal Palace

Jacob Road, Civil Lines,

(91-141-2221399)

info@harimahalpalace.com

Holiday Inn

Amer Road

(91-0141-2672000)

reservations@inreachhotels.com

Hotel Barwara Kothi

5 Jacob Road, Civil lines

0141-2222796

desingh@barwarakothi.com

Hotel Clarks Amer

Jawaharlal Nehru Marg,

(91-011-23706050)

clarks@bol.net.in

Hotel Diggi Palace

Diggi House, S.M.S Hospital Road

0141-2373091,2366120

diggihtl@datainfosys.net

Hotel Golden Tulip

Nirwan Marg. Bani Park

0141-4051100

info@goldentulipjaipur.com

Hotel Mansingh

Sansar Chandra Road

(91-011-23450015) (91-011-23450055)

sales.delhi@mansinghhotels.com

Hotel Mansingh Tower

Sansar Chandra Road,

(91-141-5118771)

mkjain.jpr@mansinghhotels.com

Hotel Savista Retreat

Vill. Sanjharia, Post- Thikaria, Via-Bhankrota

9829214453

info@savista.com

Jai Mahal Palace

Jacob Road, Civil Lines,

(91-141-2223636)(91-141-2220707) trn@tajhotels.com

Jaipur Palace

Sahakar Marg, Tonk Road,

(91-0141-2743161)

hjpj@sancharnet.in

Jasvilas

C-9, Sawai Jai Singh Hghway, Bani Park

0141-2204638

info@jasvilas.com

Karnot Mahal

34, Karnot Mahal, Ramganj Chaupar

0141-2610703

reservations@karnotmahal.com

KK Royal

Ajmer Road, Near Phool Badi,

(91-141-4055000(91-0141-4055055) royal@kkjaipur.com

Lal Mahal

Lal Mahal, Jamwa Ramgarh

09928012002, 09928012003

Lalmahalpalace@yahoo.com

Las Vegas

Sahkar Marg, Near State Motor Garage

0141-2744131

hotellasvegas@yahoo.co.in

Le-Meridian

1, RIICO Kulkas

0141-5114455

info@lemeridianjaipur.com

LMB Hotel

Hotel LMB, Johari Bazar,

(91-141-2578276)

info@hotellmb.com

Madhuban

D-237, Behari Marg, Bani Park

0141-2200033,2205427

madhuban@usa.net

Maharani Palace

Opp. Polovictory Cinema, Railway Station Road,

(91-141-2204378)(91-141-2202112) maharanidel@bol.net.in

Maharani Plaza

Opp. Sindhi Camp Bus Stand, Railway Station Road,

(91-11-26561547)

maharanidel@bol.net.in

Mandawa Haveli

Sansar Chandra Road,

(91-141-5106081)

reservation@castlemandawa.com

56

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

Mayrya Palace

S-35A, Arvind Marg. Jai Club, M. I Road

0141-5101414

generalmanager@hotelmauryapalace.com

Megh Niwas

C-9, Jai Singh Highway, Bani Park,

0141-2202034-36

email@meghniwas.com

Naila Bagh Palace

Moti Doongri Road

0141-2607492

reservation@nailabaghpalace.com

Nana Ki Haveli

Fateh-Tiba, Moti Dungri Road

0141-2615502

nanakihavelijaipur@yahoo.com

Narain Niwas Palace Hotel

Kanota Bagh, Narain Singh Circle,

(91-141-2561291)

info@hotelnarainniwas.com

Om Tower

Church Road Crossing, M I Road,

(91-141-2366683)

omtower@yahoo.com

Park Plaza

C-59, Prithviraj Road, C-Scheme

0141-2360202

ppj@parkprime.net

Pink Pearl Hotel And Fun City

8th Mile, Jaipur Ajmer Highway, Ajmer Road

(91-9313281331)(91-11-41528605)

cd_dso@yahoo.co.in

Rajmahal Palace Hotel

C Scheme, Sardar Patel Marg,

(91-141-4143000)

lphelpdesk@yatraonline.com

Rajputana Palace Sheraton

Palace Road

0141-5100100

rajputana.sheraton@itcwelcomgroup.in

Ramada

Govind Marg, Raja Park,

(91-141-4066666)(91-141-4066600) resv@ramadajaipur.com

Rambagh Palace

Bhawani Singh Road,

(91-141-2211919)

Ratan Haveli a Heritage Hotel

240, Ratan Haveli, Gatore Road, Brahmpuri

(91-141-2671027)(91-141-2671596) ratanhaveli@gmail.com

Royal Orchid Central Jaipur

A-26, A-2, Jai Singh Highway, Bani Park

(91-0141-4051234)

Samode Haveli

Gangapole, Near Jorawar Singh Gate, Amer Road

0141-2632407,2631942

reservations@samode.com

Sheraton Rajputana

Palace Road,

(91-011-41664444)

sheratonrajputana@itcwelcomgroup.in

Shiv Vilas

Kukas, Jaipur Delhi Highway,

(91-141-2531100)

sales@shiv-vilas.com

Somode Bagh

Luxury Tented Accommodation Fatehpura Bansa

01423-240235

reservation@samode.com

Somode Palace

Samode

01423-240013,14,23,

reservations@samode.com

Spice Court

Civil Lines

0141-2220202

The Fern-An Ecotel Hotel

3, Airport Plaza, Near Durgapura, Tonk Road

(91-0141-4121212)(91-01414121200)

The Mundia House

A-110, Bhan Nagar, Queen’s Road,

0141-2351117

The Oberoi Rajvilas

Goner Road,

(91-141-2680101)

reservations@oberoigroup.com

The Raj Palace

Zorawer Singh Gate, Amer Road

(91-141-2634077)

gm@rajpalce.in

The Wall Street Hotel

C-7, New Colony, M I Road, Near Panch Batti Circle

(91-0141-3928188)(91-01415188288)

sales@thewallstreethotel.com

Trident, Jaipur

Amber Fort Road, Opposite Jal Mahal,

(91-141-2670101)(91-141-2670303) reservations@oberoigroup.com

Umaid Bhawan (A Heritage House)

D1 -2A, Behari Marg Park, Bani Park

(91-9314503423)(91-141-2207445)

trn@tajhotels.com rooms@royalorchidhotels.com

resv@fernhoteljaipur.com

reservation@umaidbhawan.com

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT

57

PACKAGE TOURS

Golden Triangle ( 5 Days ) Visit : Delhi, Agra, Jaipur Inclusions :04 Nights accommodation.

Daily Buffet/ fixed Menu breakfast.

An air-conditioned car for Sightseeing and excursions as per our brochure itinerary.

Elephant Ride / Jeep Ride at Amer Fort All Currently applicable taxes with 3.09% Government service tax.

Price : RS 16,283.00 per person http://www.sotc.in/

Desert Crossing

Golden Triangle Tour Package

Rajasthan Tour Packages (7 Days /6 Nights)

(05 Days /04 Nights)

Duration:- 06 Nights / 07 Days Destinations Covered:- Delhi - Jaipur - Pushkar - Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur Assistance on Arrival & Departure.

Accommodation on twin Sharing Basis as Per Plan.

Exclusive Non a/c vehicle for transfers & sightseeing. Please brief to guest that vehicle will not be at disposable it will available to guest as per itinerary only.

All permit fees & hotel taxes.

Visit : Agra, Delhi, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur. 04 Nights Accommodation as per itinerary. Daily Breakfast in the hotel. Dinner at ethnic village “Chokki Dhani� at Jaipur. AC vehicle with driver as per itinerary for all transfers and sightseeing. Driver allowance, parking, toll and interstate taxes.

Services of English speaking guide for sightseeing.

http://www.goindiaholiday.net/

http://www.waytoindia.com/

Package Tours

(06 Days /05 Nights) Visit: Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer

PADHARO JAISALMER (3 Days /2 Nights)

Cost Includes: Accommodation for 05 nights / 06 days on twin / double sharing basis.

Daily buffet breakfast.

All transfers and sightseeing by Ac car as per the itinerary.

Fuel charges, driver allowance, toll & parking.

Our best selling package. Padharo Jaisalmer tour package is a 2 nights and 3 days Jaisalme tour package where you will able to see the complete Jaisalmer city and the sand sun dunes. The package include Hotel & Desert camp accommodation and all meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner), along with tea/ coffee & snacks at the desert camp and complete transportation from pick up to drop from the railway station & airport.

www.arzoo.com

http://jaisalmertourpackage.in/

* For all above tours packages, please visit respective websites

Welcome Tour Operators

Place your best tour package ad here and get maximum response.

For details, contact:

+91 9269136780 or email: ads@rtgd.in 58

NOVEMBER 2013 RAJASTHAN THE GOLDEN DESERT