To bring out the miraculous grace of Rajadhiraj Krishna as Dwarkadheesh, the program ‘Rajadhiraj’ was organised on 9th August at Ahmedabad. On this occasion, an exhibition of Dwarkadheesh Pichhvai Paintings was organised for the first time. A coffee-table book conceived and narrated by famous Gujarati writer Ms. Kajal Oza Vaidya and a music album composed by renowned playback singer of Gujarat Shri Parthiv Gohil containing Bhajans of Lord Dwarkadheesh were also released. At the event, famous singers Parthiv Gohil, Kirtidan Gadhavi, and Kinaj Dave enthralled the audience with live performance. We were privileged to have our honourable Chief Minister, Shri Vijaybhai Rupani as the Chief Guest for the event. Besides the Chief Minister, Vaishnavacharya HH Dwarkeshlalji Maharaj, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Nitinbhai Patel, Shri Anant Ambani, Energy Minister Shri Saurabh Patel, Minister of State for Food and Public Distribution Shri Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, President of Gujarat BJP Shri Jitubhai Vaghani, Jamnagar MP Smt. Poonamben Madam and host of other dignitaries graced the occasion.
Rajadhiraj : My Krishna Consciousness
Krishna has been a matter of awe and admiration for me from my childhood. More I read about him more I got drawn towards Him. Initially, it was Krishna as Child who was my hero. It was obvious because of our frequent visits to Mathura, Gokul-Vrundavan, Nathdwara, etc. At the same time, Dwarika too was equally close to my heart as we are native of Jam Khambhalia, now the district head-quarter of newly carved out district of Devbhoomi Dwarka. Krishna as Dwarkadheesh therefore is also at prime place in our conscience. Krishna as Dwarkadheesh, as Rajadhiraj – the King of Kings is an aspect that needs much greater emphasis. I have always felt that by and large tales of Krishna’s childhood are more popular than His life and role as Dwarkadheesh. I wanted to do something on this other aspect of Krishna’s life.
When I met Trilok Soni, traditional Nathdwara pichhwai artist, it just occurred to me to incarnate Dwarkadheesh in pichhwai art form. While brain-storming on Dwarkadheesh, the thought got extended to put Dwarkadheesh pichhwais in a Coffee Table Book form with appropriate text. Kajal Oza Vaidya, a renowned name and a family friend, took upon herself to pen the book with references from Harivansh, Mahabharat, Siddhant Rahasya etc and relating them to the pichhwais. Simultaneously, renowned singer Parthiv Gohil also joined us in this unique initiative to prepare a music album with songs in praise of Rajadhiraj.
All these three creations worked out so well that I once again experienced the miraculous grace of Rajadhiraj Krishna as Dwarkadheesh. It is indeed a matter of pride and pleasure for me.
In a nutshell, Rajadhiraj, a Coffee Table Book, a Music Album and Pichhwais is a unique fusion of literature, songs and paintings. All these three represent my kind of Krishna, who flows in my veins and vibrates in my heart. This is Rajadhiraj, my Krishna Consciousness!
– Dhanraj Nathwani
MUSIC ALBUM
The music album Rajadhiraj has been composed by renowned playback singer of Gujarat Shri Parthiv Gohil. This album contains devotionals songs dedicated to Lord Dwarkadheesh. The lyrics of the music album have been written by Sairam Dave and Manubhai Rabari, while playback singers Kirtidan Gadhavi, Kinjal Dave, Osman Mir, Praful Dave, Ishani Dave, Hardik Dave, Hemali Vyas, Aalap Desai, Daler Mehandi, Mahalaxmi Ayer, Soumi Shailsh, Damyanti Bardai, etc. have given their voice to the songs. Till now there have been a lot of devotional songs written about Lord Krishna in the form of Shrinathji, but the album Rajadhiraj aims to sing the praises of Lord Krishna in the form of Dwarkadheesh. This album is available now across various platforms for the devotees.
music videos
AartiPraful Dave
Bodana Nu GaduKirtidan Gadhvi
RadhaParthiv Gohil
Halo Halo DwarkaAlap Desai
Pichwai Paintings
Pichwai paintings are traditional Indian art having its origins in Rajasthan, India. The word Pichhwai stands for ‘hanging at the back’ (Sanskrit word “Pichh” means back and “wais” means hanging). Pichhwai paintings are big sized paintings done on cotton cloth using natural colours and are hung behind the idol of Lord Shrinathji to depict his leelas. The paintings have deep religious roots and are executed with the utmost devotion by the artists. Most works under this style revolves around the figure of Shrinathji as a manifestation of Krishna. But for the very first time, Lord Dwarkadheesh has been showcased through these paintings. These paintings have been beautifully executed by Trilok Soni a renowned traditional Nathdwara pichhwai artist. During the Rajadhiraj event, around 35 of these paintings were showcased in an exhibition inaugurated by the honourable Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani.
The breath taking pichwai paintings created by Shri Trilok Soni have been very aptly captured in the form of a coffee table book. These paintings have been complimented with a narration by Smt. Kajal Oza Vaidya a very renowned name in the field of literature. Taking references from Harivansh, Mahabharat, Siddhant Rahasya and other material related to Lord Dwarkadheesh, she has very beautifully talked about each and every pichwai painting and filled them with life through her words. The text is mentioned in four different languages – Sanskrit, Gujarati, Hindi and English. This coffee table book is a one of its kind creation dedicated to Lord Dwarkadheesh and will help in creating a better understanding of his life in the city of Dwarika.
cofee table book