Kartik Poornima Celebrations at Jagmandir Island Palace, Udaipur
On the 10th November Eternal Mewar celebrated the festival of Kartik Poornima, as part of a cultural and heritage tourism initiative by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation in association with HRH Group of Hotels. At Jagmandir Island Palace, Udaipur, a concert of fusion Guitar and Tabla from Australian artists featuring Mr. Jeff Lang and Mr. Bobby Singh was followed by an Odissi dance performance by Nrityagram from Bangalore with Ms. Surupa Sen and Ms. Bijayini Satpathy.

Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur, the 76th. Custodian of the House of Mewar and Chairman and Managing Trustee of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF), graced the occasion with his family and special invitees from the city and International guests visiting Udaipur. Members of the Royal family from Saudi Arabia were special guests for the occasion.

Kartik Poornima is the only day of the year when Lord Brahma, the Creator of the Universe, is worshipped. At Udaipur's City Palace Complex, this ancient festival has always been a celebration with dance and music on this night of the full moon during the month of Kartik, according to the Hindu calendar. "Through this performance we endeavour to symbolise the worship of our creator Lord Brahma. Tonight, we present a confluence of mystical sounds and sacred dances that we hope will transport you to the seat of universal divine love where the creator and creation are one", said Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur.

"Kartik Poornima is an inspiring and uplifting festival", said Mr. Bhupendra Singh Auwa, Deputy Secretary - Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation - Administration, adding, "It is a regal festival that has been traditionally celebrated at the City Palace in Udaipur for centuries. We are proud to uphold this age-old tradition and make it meaningful for 21st century guests visiting Udaipur".

The concert started with a duo performance from Jeff Lang and Bobby Singh, a true cross cultural collaboration highlighting how modern composition, song writing and blues/roots infused guitar playing can blend seamlessly with classical Indian music. The Odissi dance by Nrityagram, Banglore featuring Surupa Sen and Bijayini Satpathy was performed with Ritu Vasant, Kisalaya Shyana and Vibhakta.

Jeff Lang is an Australian based musician who has earned worldwide acclaim as a virtuoso guitarist. He is a dynamic song writer and a startlingly unique Live Performer. Mr. Lang has a back catalogue of 14 studio albums that have been featured at major festivals. Bobby Singh was born and raised in England. He spent a great deal of his childhood in Mumbai studying Sangeet Mahabharati an institute of music started by the great tabla maestro Pandit Nikhil Ghosh. Mr. Singh has received numerous awards and performed with some of the finest musicians in Australia and overseas.

Odissi danseuse Surupa was the very first student of Nrityagram, where she began her odissi training with the Late body language genius and architect of Odissi, Guru