Rajasthan

• 14 Feb 2022

62nd Annual Art Exhibition Inaugurated

Why in News

• On February 13, 2022, the inauguration ceremony of the 62nd Annual Art Exhibition was held in the Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi complex at Jhalana in the chief hospitality of Dr. BD Kalla, Minister of Art and Culture of Rajasthan. On this occasion, 10 artists were awarded by the minister for their best works.

Key Points

• It is noteworthy that after observing 584 artifacts, these 10 best artifacts were selected by the department. These artists were given a trophy, memento as well as a prize money of Rs 25,000.
• It is to be noted that on November 16, 2021, the State Art Awards for the 62nd Annual Art Exhibition were announced by the jury of Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi.
• The ten artists whose artworks have been awarded in the exhibition are as follows-
  
  • Richa Maheshwari (Kosmos)
  • Kamal Kishore Joshi (Meghraj)
  • Dr. Mani Bhartiya (Landscape)
  • Yogendra Singh Naruka (A Marriage Party)
  • Durgesh Kumar Atal (Plover)
  • Nirmal Yadav (The Lunar Shades)
  • Kumudni Bharwa Soni (Kahan Ghumen Kahan Jaayen)
  • Rajendra Prasad Meena (Movement of Joy)
  • Sunil Kumawat (Hope-3)
  • Ritu Shekhawat (Flowing Whirlpool)
• Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi is the premier fine arts institute of the Government of Rajasthan to promote, spread and develop the fine arts culture of Rajasthan. It is a non-profit, autonomous body, financed by the Ministry of Art and Culture, Rajasthan.
• The main objective of the Department of Art and Culture is to provide a national and international platform to the artists of the state and encourage their talent.
• Minister Dr BD Kalla said that each region of the state has its own unique identity in the field of art and culture. In future, provision will be made to give NFT tokens to all the artists so that if their artwork is sold anywhere, a part of its value must reach the artist.

Haldighati War

Why in News

• Recently, a controversy has arisen again regarding the victory of Maharana Pratap in the Haldighati war.

Key Points

• In fact, history is being taught at Mohanlal Sukhadia University in Udaipur, Rajasthan, that Akbar had won the Haldighati battle, while many historians are against it. According to him, the evidence has proved that Maharana Pratap had won the Haldighati battle.
• After this controversy, the chairman of the Department of History in the university, Prof. Digvijay Bhatnagar has clarified about Akbar's victory in the Battle of Haldighati with reference to his book 'Outline of History of Rajasthan' that this book is based on the earlier published books of historians, which he has only edited. In such a situation, soon a new book will come with an amendment in which Maharana Pratap's victory in the Haldighati war will be mentioned.
• It is noteworthy that the Battle of Haldighati was fought on 18 June 1576 between Maharana Pratap of Mewar and the army of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
• Akbar's army was led by Raja Man Singh I of Amber, while Maharana Pratap was supported mainly by the Bhil tribe in this war.

Maru Mahotsav 2022 Launched

Why in News

• On February 13, 2022, Minority Affairs, Waqf, Sub-Inspection, Agriculture Irrigated Area Development and Water Utilities Minister Shale Mohammad and RCA President Vaibhav Gehlot inaugurated the four-day Maru Festival by flying a golden balloon in the sky at Pokhran, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

Key Points

• This time the tourism department has named the Maru Mahotsav as 'Umeedon Ki Udaan'.
• Minority Affairs, Waqf, Colonization, Agriculture Irrigated Area Development and Water Utilities Minister Shale Mohammad also inaugurated the grand procession by flagging off the program organized on the sail of Salamsagar pond.
• In the procession, BSF braves, BSF women contingent, Mangal Kalash Yatra of girls and women riding on decorated camels and various tableaux were the center of attraction.
• Along the way, groups of artists performed folk dances like Kalbelia, Horse, Kachhi Ghodi, Gair etc.
• In this culture festival, Celebrities Night, events on the sandy dunes of Pokhran Khudi and Sam along with Marushree, Miss Mumal, Mustache Competition, Safa Dam, Mumal Mahindra, Camel Shringar and Shaan-e-Marudhara, Panihari Matka Race competitions were also organized.
• Mr and Miss Pokhran competition was held in the main program of Maru Mahotsav. Nikita Rathod won the title of Miss Pokhran and Bharat Bohra won the title of Mr. Pokhran. Among these participants, Khushi Gaur of Girls College Pokhran participated in the competition despite being a disabled person.
• Durjan Singh Bhati was the winner in the Safa Bandho competition of the main event. Team Kapil was the winner in Rassa Kasi. Vikram Joshi won the title of Mallashree and Rukri won the Matka race.
• Along with this, Tanisha Khatri was the winner in the Mehndi competition, Jasoda in Mandana and Khushboo in the Rangoli competition. The first day's program culminated with a group performance by Padmashree Anwar Khan and the artists of Langa Party.
• The winners were awarded by Minority Affairs Minister Shale Mohammad and RCA President Shri Vaibhav Gehlot and other guests.
• An exhibition was organized in the main function premises. In this, an exhibition of weapons provided by the BSF to the soldiers engaged in security on the first line of the country was put up. Other weapons including 7.66 mm gun, assault rifle, X-95, INSAS, LMG, 84 mm GRL, barista were displayed here. Along with this, exhibitions related to Pokhran Development Institute, Urmul, camel milk, cleanliness, environmental protection, handicrafts etc. were organized.
• It is noteworthy that on February 7, 1979, the then Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had inaugurated the Maru Mahotsav.