Press Release
On the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Jaipur’s founder, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, a discussion and poetry recitation was organised at Sarvatobhadra Chowk of City Palace. In the programme, eminent scholars highlighted the work and personality of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. On the occasion, the Rajasthani poets enthralled the audience with mesmerising poetry recitation in Dhundhari language. The programme commenced with a floral tribute and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp before a portrait of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The event was organised under the auspices of the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, on the intiative of its Chairman, His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh.
The Executive Trustee of MSMS II Museum, Rama Datt, in her welcome address said that it is a matter of pride for all of us that the city of Jaipur, founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, has been recognised as a World Heritage City by UNESCO. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II was an extraordinary personality who had remarkable knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, astrology and architecture. He also built Jantar Mantar observatories at many places in India including, Jaipur. Retired Principal of Sanskrit College, Subhash Chandra Sharma highlighted the history of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. He talked about how Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II took over the reins of the State at the young age of 11 years and he received the title of ‘Sawai’ from Aurangzeb. He also emphasised that Sawai Jai Singh II was the first ruler who performed ‘105 Kundiya Yagya’.
Senior journalist Jitendra Singh Shekhawat remarked that after Prithviraj Chauhan, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II was the first ruler to unite Hindu leaders in support of Hinduism. He also shared that a new book on the preservation of Sanskrit literature and the Vedic scholars of Jaipur will be released soon. Art and Culture OSD at City Palace and a renowned Vedic painter, Ramu Ramdev through his paintings threw light on Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II’s biography, Jantar-Mantar and ‘Ashvamedha Yagna’. He shared that Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh was a passionate patron of the arts, inviting artists from across India to settle in Jaipur, establishing streets dedicated to their crafts, and ensuring their livelihood. The programme was conducted by Shobha Chander.
Well known Rajasthani poets participated in the poetry recital organised with the aim of promoting the Dhundhari language. These included Gopinath Gopesh, Kalyan Singh Shekhawat, Govind Shankar, Bhagwan Sahay Pareek, Prahlad Chanchal, Kishore Pareek, Sushila Sharma, Abhilasha Pareek, Kamna Rajawat, Ritesh Sharma, Suman Prakash, Vinay Kumar and other eminent poets. Through their poems, the poets introduced the audience to Jaipur’s tradition, culture and history.
In his address, litterateur Govind Shankar Sharma said that the most reliable book written during the time of Sawai Jai Singh II, ‘Vachan Praman’, describes his tenure in detail. More than 3,000 couplets have been written in this book. He also threw light on the public protection system of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.
The event closed with the Adminstrator, City Palace, Pramod Yadav honouring guests with a ceremonial scarf, while Chief Curator Ram Kishan extended his heartfelt gratitude to all in attendance.