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Devi Lal Samar

Founder of Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal

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Born : 30 July 1911 , Udaipur

Died : 2023-12-03 ,

Devi Lal Samar Photos

Devi Lal Samar Biography

Devi Lal Samar (30 July 1911 – 3 December 1981) was an Indian puppeteer renowned for founding the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal in Udaipur, Rajasthan, a museum dedicated to folk theatre. He earned the Padma Shri for his contributions to Rajasthani theatre and puppetry.

Initially a school teacher, he delved into puppetry and established the Bhartia Lok Kala Mandal in 1952, later organizing the first puppet festival in 1954. Samar’s remarkable Katputli artistry led to his Padma Shri recognition in 1968. He passed away at the age of 70 on 3 December 1981.

Devi Lal Samar Achievements

Padmashree Devi Lal Samar, a versatile folk artist, initially a teacher at Vidya Bhavan School in Udaipur, founded the “Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal” in 1952, aiming to promote Rajasthan’s folk arts. He collaborated with renowned figures like Prithviraj Kapoor and played a pivotal role in gaining global recognition for Rajasthan’s puppetry, woodwork, terracotta art, painting, folk dance, folk music, and folk theater. Today, the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal stands as India’s premier folk art institution.

In the movie ‘Kalpana,’ Devi Lal Samar served as assistant director, actor, and composer. He authored documentaries on tribal cultures and wrote 28 art-related books, extensively surveying Rajasthan’s folk theaters.

FAQs related to Devi Lal Samar

The founder of Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal is Padmashree Devi Lal Samar.

Devi Lal Samar played a crucial role in promoting various folk arts of Rajasthan, including puppetry, woodwork, terracotta art, painting, folk dance, folk music, and folk theater, on a global scale through Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal.

Devi Lal Samar discovered that Karna Bhil, a dacoit in Jaisalmer, was also a talented ‘nad’ player. After Karna’s release from jail, Samar invited him to Udaipur and provided him with a platform to perform ‘Nad Vadan’ at Lokanuranjan Mela, leading to a transformation in Karna’s life from a dacoit to a lifelong artist.

In the film ‘Kalpana,’ Devi Lal Samar served as an assistant director, actor, and composer of songs and dances.

Devi Lal Samar represented India in various international events, including the 2nd International Puppet Festival in Bucharest, a puppet show demonstration in Iran in 1971, and the 7th International Puppet Festival in Barcelona, Spain, in 1976. Additionally, he conducted art exhibitions in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam in 1978

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