Rajasthan Blog

All you need to know about Rajasthan

Archive for March, 2010

Sudhir Tailang – Famous Cartoonist of India

Mar 18

Posted by mystaterajasthan in about rajasthan, famous people rajasthan | No Comments

Cartoon is a rare creation that wraps art, portraiture and comment in the same picture. It appears funny but the message it delivers is hardly that.

Catoonist_sudhirtailang

There are many famous cartoonists who specialize in drawing cartoons by applying the traditional method of sketching rough pictures by pencil. Often cartoonists work with intention of online publication an increasingly demanding work in digital media.  Though there are many famous cartoonists in india and Sudhir Tailang is one of them.

Personal & Career Profile of  Sudhir Tailang

Sudhir Tailang was born in Bikaner Rajasthan.  Tailang, who made his first cartoon in 1970, started his career with the Illustrated Weekly of India, Mumbai, in 1982. In 1983, he joined the Navbharat Times in Delhi.

For several years he was with the Hindustan Times, while also doing short stints with the Indian Express and the The Times of India. His present assignment is with the Asian Age.

Launched Book of Cartoons Titled “No, Prime Minister”

He also launched a book of cartoons titled “No, Prime Minister”, a set of cartoons on the current Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh.

This book  includes his cartoons on the prime minister from the Hindustan Times, where he worked for about two decades. Sudhir Tailang is also the creator of the documentary Abu, The Philosopher.

Awarded Padma Shri in 2004

He was awarded Padma Shri in 2004 for his contribution to the art of cartooning.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Gangaur 2010 – an Important and Colorful Festival for Women of Rajasthan

Mar 17

Posted by mystaterajasthan in festivals fairs rajasthan, latest events rajasthan | No Comments

Gangaur is one of the most important festivals in Rajasthan.

gangaur-rajasthan

It is celebrated in the month of chaitra (March-April), the first month of the Hindu calendar. This month marks the end of winter and the onset of spring. This year Gangaur festival will be on 18 March, 2010.

Honoring the Goddess Gauri

Gangaur is all about honoring the goddess Gauri. A manifestation of Parvati (Lord Shiva’s wife), she represents purity and austerity.

The word ‘Gangaur’ is literally made up of two words, ‘Gana’ and ‘Gaur’. ‘Gana’ is synonymous with Lord Shiva and ‘Gaur’ which stands for Gauri or Parvati.

It’s believed that Parvati returned to her parental home during Gangaur, to bless her friends with marital bliss. On the last day, Parvait was given a grand farewell by her loved ones and Lord Shiva arrived to escort her home.

The festival is predominantly for women, who dress up in their best clothes pray for a husband of their choice, or the welfare of their husbands.

Traditional Procession of Gangaur in Jaipur

A traditional procession of Gangaur commences form the Zanani- Deodhi of the City Palace, passing through Tripolia Bazaar, Chhoti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, Chaugan stadium and finally converges near the Talkatora. The procession is headed by a colorful pageantry of elephants, old palanquins, chariots, bullock carts and performance folk artistes.

In Jaipur, a sweet dish called ghewar is popularly distributed amongst friends and relatives.

Boat procession in Udaipur

In Udaipur, there’s a boat procession on Lake Pichola, and fireworks. Women balance several brass pitchers on their heads add to the interest. The occasion ends with fireworks on the banks of the lake.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lakshmi Niwas Mittal – Fifth Richest Person in World

Mar 16

Posted by mystaterajasthan in about rajasthan, famous people rajasthan | 2 Comments

Lakshmi Niwas Mittal is a London-based Indian billionaire industrialist who is well known as  ‘Steel King’  across world.

mittal

Personal Profile of Lakshmi Niwas Mittal

Lakshmi Mittal  was born in Sadulpur village, in the Churu district of Rajasthan. He studied accounting and business at the prestigious St. Xavier’s College of Calcutta.

Career Growth of LN Mittal

He began his career working in the family’s steelmaking business in India, and in 1976, when the family founded its own steel business, Mittal set out to establish its international division, beginning with the buying of a run-down plant in Indonesia.

Since 2005, Mittal has been the richest person residing in the United Kingdom, the richest person in Asia and the fourth richest person on the planet.

He is the President of the Board of Directors and CEO of ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest producer of steel. In March 2008, Mittal was reported to be the 4th wealthiest person in the world by Forbes Magazine.

Fifth Richest Person in World

As of 2010, Mittal is the fifth richest person in the world. He is also the richest person in the Europe with personal wealth of US$28.7 billion or £19.04 billion in 2010.

He presently lives in Kensington, London. His residence at 18-19 Kensington Palace Gardens which was purchased from Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone in 2004 for £57 million (US$128 million), making it the world’s most expensive house at the time.

Awards

Mittal was awarded Fortune magazine’s “European Businessman of the Year 2004” and also “Steelmaker of the Year” in 1996 by New Steel, and the “Willy Korf Steel Vision Award” in 1998, for outstanding vision, entrepreneurship, leadership and success in global steel development from American Metal Market and PaineWeber’s World Steel Dynamics.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Kanhaiyalal Sethia – Popular Rajasthani Poet who was Awarded Literary Geniuses of the 20th Century

Mar 15

Posted by mystaterajasthan in about rajasthan, famous people rajasthan | 2 Comments

Kanhaiyalal Sethia is one of the most popular of Rajasthani and  Hindi poets. He has published 18 books in Hindi and 14 books in Rajasthani.

Poet_Kanhiyalalsethia

Personal Profile of  Kanhaiyalal Sethia

He was born in Sujangarh, Churu District in the Indian state of Rajasthan. His father’s name was Chhagan Mal Sethia and mother was Smt. Manohari Devi. He has two sons Jay Prakash and Vinay Prakash and also a daughter named Smt Sampat Devi Dugar.

Patriotic Fervor for Rajasthan

The poetry of Kanhaiyalal shows his patriotic fervor for Rajasthan. His poems reflect the silent changes taking place in rural life of Rajasthan. Some of his poems are full of religious and spiritual overtones.

His first collection Ramaniyai ra soratha, was written in the traditional style of didactic poetry rich in images and similes. His other books of poems are Minjhara, Kum kum, Lilatamsa, Dhara kuncam dhara majalam, Mayada ro helo, Sabada, Satavani, Aghori kala.

Dharti Dhoran Ri – The Anthem Song of Rajasthan

His two Rajasthani poems are world famous and have attained cult status. “Dharti Dhoran Ri” is recognized as the Anthem Song of Rajasthan through out the world.

Internationally acclaimed film maker Gautam Ghosh has made a documantary based on this poem Titled “Land Of The Sand Dunes” which was awarded the”Swarna Kamal”( Golden Lotus ) by the Govt Of India.His other poems which are extremely well known are ” Pathal’R'Pithal”,”Kun Jameen Ro Dhani” which are in the hearts of more than 100 Million Rajasthanis living throughout the world.

Awarded Literary Geniuses of the 20th Century

Kanhaiyalal Sethia received the Sahitya Akademi award for the poem Lilatamsa. He has also won Jnanapitha Moortidevi Award in 1986, Surajmal Misrana Sekhar Award in 1987.

The United States Library of Congress has chosen him as one of the literary geniuses of the 20th century. His books have been archived by the Library, and his recordings are available on the Internet.

He died in Kolkata, West Bengal in year 2008.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Gulabo – Famous Kalbeliya Dancer of Rajasthan

Mar 13

Posted by mystaterajasthan in about rajasthan, famous people rajasthan | 2 Comments

Rajasthan has been a heaven of various folk art forms. A medieval history includes the existence of princely states, which provided patronage to these art forms and their artists. Vibrant, vigorous and graceful, the dances of Rajasthan evoke the desert in all its moods.

Famous Kalbeliya Dancer  – Gulabo

Gulabo is a famous Kalbeliya dancer of rajasthan who well known as ‘Gulabi Sapera’  across world.

Kalbeliya Dance Features

The Kalbeliyas, is a snake-charmer community from Rajasthan, which performs the Kalbeliya dance. They rely heavily on this dance performance for their living.

The Kalbeliya women dancers wear long, black coloured, drindled-skirts heavily worked with embroidery and light-coloured thread along with small pieces of mirrors. This costume draws the attention in a somewhat strange way.

Part of International Culture & Jazz Band

Gulabo lives in Jaipur, where many other Kalbeliyas have begun to live rooted lives, sending their children to schools and looking at opportunities modern India offers.

She is part of the international culture and music circuit, part of jazz bands and a performer in films. She is also a visiting teacher in Copenhagen, Denmark every year, to train children there in body-awareness and dance.

Check out the  catalog of  Gulabo’s  Performance

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Irrfan Khan – Well Known Personality of Indian Flim Industry

Mar 12

Posted by mystaterajasthan in about rajasthan, famous people rajasthan | No Comments

Irrfan Khan is a famous actor of indian film, television  and theater industry.

Personal Profile of Irrfan Khan

Irffan Khan was born on born 7 January 1962  in Jaipur, Rajasthan into a Muslim Nawab family. His Mother is Sayeeda Begum, from Tonk Hakim Family and Father Late Yaseen Khan Jagirdar of Khajuriya village near Tonk district of Rajasthan.

He was studying for his M.A.degree when he earned a scholarship to study at National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi in 1984. He is married to Sutapa Sikdar, a writer and has two children.

Irrfan Khan’s Career

He made his debut in Bollywood with the film Salaam Bombay. Irrfan has also acted in TV serials such as Banegi Apni Baat and Chandrakanta.

In 1991, Irrfan appeared in the critically acclaimed film Ek Doctor Ki Maut. In 2003, Irrfan Khan played the title role in the critically acclaimed Maqbool, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Even after becoming a successful actor in bollywood, he has not severed his ties with television. He used to anchor a show ‘Mano ya na mano’.  He had hosted another programme called “Kya Kahen” which was on the similar lines of Mano Ya Na Mano like Superstition and Extra Sensory Perception etc.

International Success

His international recognition came when he portrayed the role of a Non Resident Bengali Professor in the USA in the lead role of the English movie The Namesake directed by Mira Nair.

He has a small role in the award-winning Slumdog Millionaire, but has earned him more recognition with the film’s success

Recognition and Awards

He received recognition for his roles in The Warrior (2001), Maqbool  (2003), Haasil  (2004), The Namesake (2006), A Mighty Heart (2007), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), Billu (2009) and New York (2009)  and Vodafone  commercials ads.

He has won two Filmfare Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an Independent Spirit Award nomination.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Mehdi Hassan – World Famous Pakistani Ghazal Singer

Mar 11

Posted by mystaterajasthan in about rajasthan, famous people rajasthan | No Comments

Mehdi Hassan is a famous Pakistani  ghazal  singer who is well known as “King Of Ghazal”.

fp9

Personal Life of  Mehdi Hassan

Hassan was born in the village of Luna in Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan in 1927 into a Sunni Muslim family of traditional musicians. He claims to be the 16th generation of hereditary musicians hailing from the Kalawant.

His father Ustad Azeem Khan and uncle (’chacha’) Ustad Ismail Khan were notable classical singers of their time. Mehdi Hassan started learning classical music and voice production within the framework of classical forms of Thumri, Dhrupad, Khayal  and Dadra, at a very young age from his father.

It is said Mehdi Hassan started to perform with his elder brother Ghulam Qadir Khan as Darbari Gawayya and the first concert of Dhrupad and Kheyal at the darbar of Maharaja of Barodah.

After the independence, 20 years old Mehdi Hassan and his family migrated to Pakistan and settled in Cheecha Watni, district Sahiwal. He is  married and his son Asif Mehdi is also a ghazal singer.

Undisputed Emperor of Ghazals

His unsurpassed vocal range and his mastery over even the most difficult of raags makes him the undisputed emperor of ghazals. His popularity, appreciation and continued success among masses over five decades makes him on par with Noor Jehan in the league of the greatest Pakistani singers of all time.

Mehdi Hassan also had a passion for Urdu poetry and started to experiment by singing ghazals on a part time basis. He cites radio officers Z.A. Bukhari and Rafiq Anwar as additional influences in his progression as a ghazal singer. They gave him ample opportunities to display his mastery over the ghazal on radio. He sang ghazals of all the renowned Urdu poets and soon his innovative style was soon appreciated by both the masses and discerning audiences.

Awards and Recognitions

He has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. The government of Pakistan has awarded Mehdi Hassan the pride of performance as a recognition to his services rendered to music, and he was also recently awarded a life achievement award by Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation.

Besides the Nigar Film and Graduate Awards from Pakistan, he was presented the Saigal Award in Jalandhar, India, in 1979, whereas the Gorkha Dakshan Bahu Award was given to him in Nepal in 1983.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Vishwa Mohan Bhatt – Renowned Classical Musician Who won Grammy Award

Mar 10

Posted by mystaterajasthan in about rajasthan, famous people rajasthan | Comments off

Vishwa Mohan Bhatt is one of the world’s most renowned classical musician. He  has mesmerized the world with his  “Mohan Veena” and the “Grammy Award”.

Vishwa Mohan Bhatt’s Mohan Veena

He has attracted international attention by his successful combination of the western Hawaiian guitar with his perfect assimilation of sitar, sarod & veena techniques, by giving it a evolutionary design & shape and by adding 14 more strings helping him to establish the instrument MOHAN VEENA to unbelievable heights.

With blinding speed and faultless legato, Bhatt is undoubtedly one of the most expressive, versatile and greatest slide player s in the world.

Personal Life of Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

Vishwa Mohan Bhatt was born on July 12, 1952. He is married to Padma and lives in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, with his two sons and his wife. His elder son Salil Bhatt is a renowned Mohan veena player, while his younger son Saurabh Bhatt is a well known composer.

Awards – Grammy Award Winner

He won the highest music award of the world, the Grammy Award in 1994 along with Ry Cooder for their World Music Album, ‘A MEETING BY THE RIVER’ enhancing his celebrity status not only as a star performer but also as an improviser and a soulful composer.

He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1998 and the Padma Shri in 2002.

Check out the  catalog of  Vishwa Mohan Bhatt’s Performance

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore – An Eminent Shooter Won First Individual Silver Medal for India in Olympics

Mar 9

Posted by mystaterajasthan in about rajasthan, famous people rajasthan | No Comments

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the eminent shooter came into the spotlight when he won the first individual silver medal for India in the Men’s Double Trap shooting event at the Summer Olympics of 2004 in Athens.

Personal Life of Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was born on January 29, 1970 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan in an army background. While his father, Laxman Singh Rathore, is a Col. in the Indian Army and his mother, Manju Rathore, is a teacher.

Rathore was such an able cricket player that he was about to be selected in the Madhya Pradesh state cricket team for the famous Ranji Trophy in India. However, since he was only in class 10 at that time, his mother discouraged him to go in the team, as she wanted him to complete his preliminary education. Eventually, Rathore was not selected for the team.

He, then, appeared in the National Defense Academy examination and cracked the test. Subsequently, as army personnel, Rathore continued to show his talent in the Indian Army as well.

He fought against separatist militants in Indian-administered Kashmir in Kargil War 1999. While he was posted in Mhow, he started shooting. He took up competitive shooting only in 1998 just after his marriage  to Dr. Gayatri an army doctor. They have two children a son, named Manav, and daughter, named Gauri.

Won Various Shooting Championships

In addition of winning Olympics Silver medal, In 2005 Commonwealth Shooting Championships in Melbourne, he was the member of the winning team in the double trap event. He won the gold in the individual and team events in Men’s double trap at the 2005  Asian Clay Shooting championships at Bangkok.

Awards & Honors

  • As Major in the Indian Army, Rathore was conferred with the ‘Sword of Honor’ from Indian Military Academy in 1990.
  • Lt. Colonel Rathore was rewarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), a gallantry award for services he has provided, especially for        fighting terrorists in    Kargil war.
  • Rathore was conferred with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honor in India, for the year 2004.
  • Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore also received the Padma Shri.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Jagjit Singh – World Renowned Indian Ghazal Singer

Mar 8

Posted by mystaterajasthan in about rajasthan, famous people rajasthan | 1 Comment

Jagjit Singh, the famous Ghazal singer, is also known across the world for his soulful voice.

fp4

Personal Life of Jagjit Singh

He was born on 8th February, 1941 at Sri Ganganagar district  in Rajasthan. His father Sardar Amar Singh Dhiman was a Government official and his mother Sardarni Bachchan Kaur had a religious family background. He had four sisters and two brothers and he is known as Jeet by his family.

Education

He went to Khalsa High School in Sri Ganganagar to study science. After matriculation at Government College, Sri Ganganagar he went onto DAV College, Jalandhar  to graduate  in arts. He is a post-graduate in history from Kurukshetra University.

Expertise in Various Indian Classical Forms

Jagjit Singh’s association with music goes back to his childhood. He learnt music under Pandit Chaganlal Sharma for two years in Ganganagar, and later devoted six years to learning Khayal, Thumri and Dhrupad forms of Indian Classical Music from Ustad Jamaal Khan of the Sainia Gharana school.

Musical Career

In 1969 he got married with the popular singer Chitra Singh. They both produced numerous soulful and melodic Ghazals which were enjoyed by a wider audience. Some of the popular albums of the couple were Ecstasies, A Sound Affair and Passions.

Around 1970′s, the world of ghazals was dominated by renowned names like Noor Jehan, Malika Pukhraj, Begum Akhtar, Talat Mahmood and Mehdi Hassan. Jagjit Singh made the efforts to come with his first album titled “The Unforgettables”, which was a collection of semi-classical Indian music.

The different melody and freshness in Jagjit’s voice appealed to all and he was recognized by the industry.

His later albums named Hope, In Search, Insight, Mirage, Visions, Kahkashan (Galaxy), Love Is Blind, Chirag (Lamp), etc. have made him the top Ghazal singer in the country and a favorite among fans.

Apart of albums, he also sung many devotional and hindi movie songs. Popular films include Arth, Saath Saath, Premgeet, Tum Bin, Sarfarosh, Dushman and Tarkeeb.

Awarded “Padma Bhusha”  in 2003

He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2003, the third highest civilian honour, for his contribution to music by the Government of India. In 2006 he was also awarded Teacher’s Achievement Awards.

Tags: , , , , , , ,