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

Mar 15

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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.

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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 His books have been archived by the Library, and his recordings are available on the Internet.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.

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Gulabo – Famous Kalbeliya Dancer of Rajasthan

Mar 13

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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

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Irrfan Khan – Well Known Personality of Indian Flim Industry

Mar 12

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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.

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Mehdi Hassan – World Famous Pakistani Ghazal Singer

Mar 11

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

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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.

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Vishwa Mohan Bhatt – Renowned Classical Musician Who won Grammy Award

Mar 10

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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

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

Mar 9

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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.

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Jagjit Singh – World Renowned Indian Ghazal Singer

Mar 8

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

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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.

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Ghanshyam Das Birla – The Founder of Birla Group of Companies and FICCI

Mar 6

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Ghanshyam Das Birla was considered to be one of the richest industrialists of India. He was the person who laid the foundations of the Birla Empire; He also founded Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

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Personal Life of G.D Birla

Ghanashyam Das was born on 10th April 1894, in Pilani, Rajasthan. His father Baldev Das Birla and Grandfather Shiv Narain Birla had previously established successful industrialists.

They had set up their firms in Bombay and Calcutta by that time. After taking over from them, Ghanashyam had to face several challenges from the British and worked hard to build up a new industrial empire in India.

Established Temples, Institutions and Planetariums

Birla established educational and research institutions in Pilani, his home town, and in other places. ‘Bits Pilani’ (Birla Institute of Technology and Science) is a famous center for high tech studies and research.

He also established many temples which is popularly known as Birla Mandir, planetariums, and hospitals.

Awarded “Padma Vibhushan” in 1957

In 1957, he was awarded India’s  second highest civilian honor, the “Padma Vibhushan” by the Government of India.

Author of books in Hindi and English, like Rupaye ki Kahani, Bapu, Jamanlal Bajaj, Paths to Prosperity, In the Shadow of the Mahatma, G.D. Birla was the man behind the founding of the noted  the newspaper Hindustan times of Delhi.

He is also noted as founded of Ambassador Car of India which is manufactured by Hindustan Motors of Calcutta, a company owned by the Birla Group of Industries.

Ghanshyam Das Birla died in 1983 at the age of 90. In his honour, G.D. Birla award for scientific Research has been established to encourage scientists for their contribution in the various fields of scientific Research.

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Rajasthan Ka Ek hi Singh – Bhairon Singh Shekhawat – Former Vice-President of India

Mar 5

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Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who is popularly lauded by the millions of his supporters as “Rajasthan Ka Ek hi Singh”,  is one of the oldest BJP leaders in India.

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

Personal Life of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was born on October 23,1923 at Khachariyawas of Sikar district  in Rajasthan. His father’s name was Shri Devi Singh Shekhawat and his mother was Shrimati Banne Kanwar.

He was forced by poverty to quit his education before completing high school. He then found a job of a police constable. He became an RSS functionary from a young age.

He is married to Shrimati Suraj Kanwar and they have a daughter Shrimati Ratan Kanwar who is married to Shri Narpat Singh Rajvi, senior BJP leader of Rajasthan and a former cabinet minister in the Govt of Rajashan.

Political Career of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

In 1952, he quit his job to contest the first Assembly elections as a Bharatiya Jana Sangh candidate. The party won surprisingly on nine seats and Shekhawat was one of them. He served as the Chief Minister of Rajasthan state three times, from 1977 to 1980, 1990 to 1992, and 1993 to 1998.

In 2002, he became the 12th Vice-President of India when he defeated the opposition candidate, Sushil Kumar Shinde by a margin of 149 votes out of the 750 votes polled.

In July 2007, Shekhawat fought President elections as an independent candidate backed by National Democratic Allianceas a popular Presidential candidate next to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam; but lost to United Progressive Alliance-Left backed candidate Pratibha Patil.

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Famous Personalities of Rajasthan Who have Made a Difference to India

Mar 4

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All countries, despite cultural and religious differences, have historic figures and role models who represent their national values. These people define their country’s culture and show the world their nation’s best qualities.

These figures may be politicians, or athletes, or even authors and artists. India has been made by the contributions of several people who have made their inputs in various ages.

Famous Personalities of Rajasthan

Today we bring you the famous personalities of Rajasthan who have made a difference to India in the fields of Politics, Dance and Music, Literature, Science, Religion, Industry, Cinema etc and contributed a lot to India’s Culture and Spirit.

There are many famous personalities in Rajasthan who have made a mark for themselves in their respective fields of interest. Some of them include:

  • Bhairon Singh Shekhawat
  • Ghanshyam Das Birla
  • Gulabo
  • Jagjit Singh
  • Lakshmi Niwas Mittal
  • Maharana Pratap Singh
  • Maharani Gayatri Devi
  • Mehdi Hassan  |
  • Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt
  • Prithviraj Chauhan
  • Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore

In our upcoming articles, you will get information related to the lives of leading Rajasthani celebrities and known figures such as lives of famous film personalities, education, career, exemplary work, awards and recognition. So stay tuned with us.

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