Udaipur: Rajasthan’s eminent folklorist and former director of Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal, Dr. Mahendra Bhanawat, was laid to rest on Wednesday in Udaipur. In a moving tribute to his legacy, his daughters and daughters-in-law joined his sons and grandsons in carrying his bier, a rare yet progressive gesture reflecting changing social traditions.
The final journey commenced at 9:30 AM from his residence at Archie Arcade in New Bhupalpura, accompanied by traditional music. A large number of intellectuals, writers, journalists, and cultural dignitaries participated in the solemn procession.
A Grand Farewell to a Cultural Luminary
At Ashok Nagar Mokshdham, a massive crowd gathered to bid farewell to 87-year-old Dr. Bhanawat, honoring his unparalleled contributions to folklore and tribal literature.
His son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Tuktak Bhanawat and Ranjana Bhanawat, along with his daughters, Dr. Kavita Mehta and Dr. Kahani Bhanawat, and grandsons Shabdank and Arthank, carried the bier, symbolizing a deeply emotional yet progressive moment.
Tributes from the Literary and Cultural World
The literary fraternity and cultural luminaries expressed profound grief over his demise:
📌 Dr. Durgaprasad Agrawal (Writer & Scholar): “Dr. Bhanawat was an encyclopedia of folklore.”
📌 Ikram Rajasthani (Lyricist): “He was a true guardian of Rajasthan’s folk culture and traditions.”
📌 Vasant Nirguné (Bhopal-based writer): “His passing marks the end of an era in Rajasthani folk arts and culture.”
📌 Ramesh Borana (Former President, Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Academy): “His research papers and books will serve as valuable resources in understanding Rajasthan’s disappearing tribal and folk traditions.”
📌 Prof. Sanjeev Bhanawat (Senior Media Educator): “With his demise, a golden chapter of Indian folklore and literary tradition has come to an end.”
📌 Syed Habib (Author): “Without Dr. Bhanawat, the folk stage will forever feel empty.”
Dr. Bhanawat dedicated his entire life to folk theater, leaving an indelible mark on Rajasthan’s rich artistic heritage, covering Gavari, Bhavai, Ramman, Tamasha, and puppetry.
Distinguished Attendees at the Funeral Procession
Several prominent figures from literature, academia, journalism, and social organizations attended his final rites, including:
- Kuldeep Nahar, Prakash Kothari, Anandi Lal Bamboriya, Alok Pagariya, Rajkumar Fattawat
- Umesh Manwani (Field Club Secretary), Prof. S.S. Sarangdevot (Vice-Chancellor, Rajasthan Vidyapeeth)
- Dr. Dev Kothari, Dr. Shrikrishna Jugunu, Dr. J.C. Devpura, Dr. K.K. Sharma, Dr. Dhaval Sharma
- Vilas Janve (Theater Artist), Sumit Goyal (Senior Journalist), Dr. Kunjan Acharya, Rajiv Jain, Kiran Nagori
- Kamla Nahata (Terapanth Samaj), Ramesh Suhalka, Himmat Singh Chauhan, Pankaj Kaneria
- Poet Prakash Nagori, Robin Singh (Udaipur Marble Association)
Evening Memorial at Mahapragya Vihar
A memorial service was held at Mahapragya Vihar in the evening, where city residents and people from outside Udaipur gathered to pay their respects.
Among the notable attendees were former MLA Dharmanarayan Joshi, BJP leader Pramod Samar, Dalpat Surana, Rajni Dangi, Amit Sharma, Trilok Poorbia, Karan Jaroli, Suresh Goyal, and Anil Kataria.
The event was conducted by Alok Pagariya, while his grandson Arthank shared heartfelt memories of his grandfather, leaving the gathering deeply moved.
End of an Era in Rajasthani Folklore
Dr. Mahendra Bhanawat’s demise marks the loss of a stalwart who dedicated his life to preserving, researching, and promoting Rajasthan’s folk heritage. His contributions will continue to enlighten and inspire future generations, ensuring that Rajasthan’s rich cultural traditions live on.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
