On Wednesday 9th July Shriji attended the launch of an exhibition of painted photographs from 19th and early 20th century India at the Brunei Gallery, SOAS, London.
An exhibition ‘ Painted photographs coloured Portraiture in India included a signification number of painted photographs of the rulers of Udaipur including Maharana Swarup Singh, Maharana Fateh Singh, Maharana Bhupal Singh & Maharana Bhagwat Singhji. The photographs of the Maharanas of Udaipur shown at the exhibition clearly demonstrate the change that took place necessitated by the shift from paintings to photography that culminated in painted photography.

Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur with Mr. Ebrahim Alkazi
looking at the portrait of Maharana Bhupal Singhji
at the Brunei Gallery in SOAS, London

The exhibition catalogue included several of these images with the back cover featuring Maharana Bhagwat Singh. The evening included the launch of the book Vijayanagara, Splendour in Ruins edited by George Michell. All the exhibits on display are part of the Alkazi collection of photography and were loaned for the exhibition by the founder Mr. Ebrahim Alkazi.
Pramod Kumar KG, Associate Director in charge of the Exhibition programme at the Alkazi Foundation is also the Consultant Curator at the City Palace Museum Udaipur.

Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur with noted
Vijayanagar scholar, Mr. John Fritz

On Thursday the 10th July, Shriji lunched with Mr. Howard Ricketts and Mr. Patrick Mark to discuss the conservation and preservation of museum collection of cine films. Howard Ricketts and his wife Jane are amongst the pioneers of photographic collection in Britain.

From left: Mr. Howard Ricketts, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, Mr. Vishnu lall and Mr. Patrick Mark

Daphne's Restaurant, Draycott Avenue

In the evening, Mrs. Darab Dubash hosted dinner at her beautiful London home. Amongst the guests were Lord and Lady Billimoria.

Mrs. Darab Dubash (3rd from right) and
Mr. Darab Dubash (center),
Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur (2nd from right) with
friends at their residence in London