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{{Short description|Indian art historian (1940–2022)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}{{Use Indian English|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Chandramani Singh
| image = Dr Chandramani Singh.webp
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1940|04|05|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Varanasi]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|05|15|1940|04|05|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Jaipur]], [[Rajasthan]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Art historian|writer|archivist}}
}}
'''Chandramani Singh''' (5 April 1940 – 15 May 2022) was an Indian art historian, textile expert, writer and a museum archivist based in [[Jaipur]], [[Rajasthan]]. As a writer, Singh had edited and authored numerous works on museums, culture, and heritage. Her notable works include ''Jaipur Rajya ka Itihas'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jaipur Rajya Ka Itihas |url=https://rgbooks.net/shop/history-of-jaipur/jaipur-rajya-itihas/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Rajasthani Granthagar |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Art Treasures of Rajasthan'',<ref name="Singh 2004">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tSDBAQAACAAJ |title=Art Treasures of Rajasthan |date=2004 |publisher=Jawahar Kala Kendra |isbn=978-81-8182-011-2 |language=en}}</ref> ''Performing Arts of Rajasthan: Lok-Rang'',<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yPt-QgAACAAJ |title=Performing Arts of Rajasthan: Lok-rang |date=2000 |publisher=Jawahara Kala Kendra |isbn=978-81-86782-61-3 |language=en}}</ref> and ''Protected Monuments of Rajasthan''<ref name="Singh 2002">{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i-jVAAAAMAAJ |title=Protected Monuments of Rajasthan |date=2002 |publisher=Jawahar Kala Kendra |isbn=978-81-86782-60-6 |language=en}}</ref> among others. She was associated with [[Banaras Hindu University]], the [[City Palace, Jaipur|Sawai Mansingh II City Palace Museum]] and [[Jawahar Kala Kendra]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jaipur Tales – Siyahi |url=https://siyahi.in/2013/03/jaipur-tales/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |language=en-US}}</ref> She had also worked for the restoration of the [[Jaigarh Fort]], Jaipur. She died in 2022 after a prolonged illness.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=NYOOOZ |title=Historian Chandramani Singh dies after prolonged illness {{!}} Jaipur NYOOOZ |url=https://www.nyoooz.com/news/jaipur/1676772/historian-chandramani-singh-dies-after-prolonged-illness/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=NYOOOZ |language=en}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Singh was born on 5 April 1940 in Banaras (now [[Varanasi]]), [[Uttar Pradesh]]. She completed her M. A. in Indian Art and Architecture and Senior Diploma in ''[[Shilpa Shastras]]'' from Banaras Hindu University. She also obtained her doctorate from Banaras Hindu University itself. After this, she studied at [[University of Michigan]] in the United States of America.<ref name=":0" />

Singh recalled in an interview that she had been inspired by her teachers at the Fine Arts College at Banares but she became serious about building a career after she was widowed soon after her marriage.<ref name=":1"/> She was asked to make drawings for a museum and that is how she entered the field of museum studies. Her knowledge of art and architecture, history of textiles, and expertise in documentation led to significant research contributions to museum studies.<ref name=":1">{{Citation |title=CHANDRAMANI SINGH {{!}} Journey of a famous Art Historian {{!}} PEP TALK WITH RAHUL SOOD - 9 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6XSpuI0CZw |access-date=2023-04-14 |language=en}}</ref>

== Career ==
Singh started her career at the [[Bharat Kala Bhavan]] at Banaras Hindu University Museum. She hailed from Varanasi, but for nearly 50 years, she had made Jaipur her field of work and was associated with the Sawai Mansingh Museum Trust at City Palace and Jawahar Kala Kendra. She had joined Maharaja Sawai Mansingh Museum as Registrar in April 1973. She worked for Jaigarh Fort for a few years. Later, she worked with Jawahar Kala Kendra as the Director of Documentation from 1990 to 2002. She also remained associated with [[Prakrit Bharati Academy|Prakrit Bharti Academy]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=गोलमगढ़, बिजोलियां के शिवालय के संदर्भ में डॉ. चन्द्रमणि सिंह से बातचीत |url=https://www.sahapedia.org/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%9D-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%9C%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B2%E0%A4%AF-%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AD-%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%82-%E0%A4%A1%E0%A5%89-%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%BF-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9-%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%87-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%9A%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4 |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Sahapedia |language=en}}</ref> Furthet, Singh was also Tagore National Scholar to research for [[Archaeological Survey of India]]. She was in the advisory committee of [[Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage|INTACH]], Jaipur chapter.<ref>{{Cite web |last=INTACH |first=Jaipur Chapter |title=Facebook Account |website=[[Facebook]] |url=https://m.facebook.com/intachjaipur/photos/congratulations-dr-chandramani-singh-eminent-historian-member-advisory-committee/872354499484589/}}</ref>

=== Projects ===
Singh worked at the museum and library of City Palace Museum, Jaipur for almost a decade. Her work on textiles and manuscript led to a range of scholarship that showcased Indian museums as having indigenous value beyond the colonial gaze.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ray |first=Sugata |date=2014-04-03 |title=Colonial Frames, "Native" Claims: The Jaipur Economic and Industrial Museum |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/00043079.2014.899180 |journal=The Art Bulletin |volume=96 |issue=2 |pages=196–212 |doi=10.1080/00043079.2014.899180 |s2cid=59368304 |issn=0004-3079|url-access=subscription }}</ref> When she started working for the Jaigarh Fort, it was a protected monument by Archaeological Survey of India and it was not possible to make any changes in its structure. She first undertook the exercise of getting it de-protected and then did a lot of restoration work including creating a museum in the fort.<ref name=":1" /> While working as a director of documentation at Jawahar Kala Kendra, she got lot of documentation done for arts, crafts, and monuments of Rajasthan and even set up amuseum and organised many art exhibitions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jawahar Kala Kendra |first=JKK |title=Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/jkk_jaipur/status/1525830120522403841?lang=ar-x-fm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-11 |title=ART {{!}} Himmat Shah Retrospective at Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.in/content/himmat-shah-continuing-journey-across-six-decades-jawahar-kala-kendra-jaipur/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Architectural Digest India |language=en-IN}}</ref>

Another important project that she undertook was documenting the little known forts of twenty seven districts in Rajasthan. The project documented two hundred forts which are part of fifteen published volumes. She also worked extensively in the field of folk music. As a result, thousands of hours of musical recordings are archived at Jawahar Kala Kendra. As a Tagore National Fellow of Archeological survey of India, she documented the deserted towns of Rajasthan and traced their historicity. For example, she researched on the town of Peeparda in Rajasthan was once a military cantonment of Jaigarh but is now deserted.<ref name=":1" /> She contributed to heritage protection, museum studies, and academic research as member of advisory committee of INTACH, and by delivering specialised lectures at Centre for Museology and Conservation, [[University of Rajasthan]], and through her association with Prakrit Bharati Akademi, Jaipur.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Centre for Museology and Conservation |first=University of Rajasthan |title=Evaluative Report |url=https://www.uniraj.ac.in/iqac/EvaluationReport2009-15/Faculty%20of%20Social-%20Science/Evaluation%20Report%20Museology%20&%20Conservation.pdf}}</ref>

=== Publications ===
Singh was a prolific writer and authored many books on arts, crafts, museum collections, and history. She showcased her research on heritage objects, museums, monuments and history. She had a wide range of research interests that is reflected in the numerous themes she explored in her publications.

* ''Centres of Pahari Painting'' (1981) - In this book, Singh presents an overview of the history, themes, and treatment of Pahari painting. Important centres are profiled in detail such as Guler, Kangra, Jasrota, Jammu, Mandi, Chamba, Bilaspur, Nurpur, Kullu, and Gadhwal. The book has numerous monochromes and colour illustrations. It is a detailed study of stylistic evolution and regional variations of Pahari painting. It covers the decorative patterns of mid-sixteenth to mid-seventeenth centuries and the shift to naturalistic patterns through direct and indirect Mughal influence.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qz0OyjDBA6sC&q=chandramani+singh+books |title=Centres of Pahari Painting |date=1981 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-0-391-02412-0 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Treasures of the Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur (2009)'' – The book is a thorough presentation of the collections of the Albert Hall Museum with a historical analysis of various galleries like carpets, pottery, arms, textile, sculpture etc.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jaipur |first=Government Central Museum |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zy3qlAEACAAJ |title=Treasures of the Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur |date=2009 |publisher=Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Rajasthan |isbn=978-1-890206-00-0 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Protected Monuments of Rajasthan (2002, digitized 2009)'' – Protected Monuments under various acts of the Central and State Governments have been described in detail. It is quite an exhaustive compendium.<ref name="Singh 2002"/>
* ''Museums of Rajasthan (2010)''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ouN6tAEACAAJ |title=Museums of Rajasthan |date=2009 |publisher=Mapin Publishing |isbn=978-0-944142-64-6 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Women of Rajasthan (2015)'' – It is a historical study of contribution of women in the formation of Rajasthan<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7OaFjwEACAAJ |title=Women of Rajasthan |date=2015 |publisher=Books Treasure |isbn=978-93-84385-12-5 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Udaipur Museum, by Chandramani Singh, Sumahendra (2008)''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OxbotAEACAAJ |title=Udaipur Museum |date=2008 |publisher=Department of Art, Literature & Culture, Government of Rajasthan |isbn=978-81-291-1399-3 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Catalogue of Historic Documents in Kapad Dwara, Jaipur: Maps and Plans by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum''. Kapad Dwara, Gopalnarayan Bahura, Chandramani Singh (1988)<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dwara |first1=Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum Kapad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pz5mAAAAMAAJ |title=Catalogue of Historic Documents in Kapad Dwara, Jaipur: Maps and plans |last2=Bahura |first2=Gopalnarayan |date=1988 |publisher=Jaigarh Public Charitable Trust |language=hi}}</ref>
* ''Bhāgwat Purāṇa, Rājasthāna Prācyavidyā Pratishṭhāna (2007)'' – This is catalogue of paintings from the collection of Rājasthāna Prācyavidyā Pratishṭhāna.
* ''Pathways to Literature, Art, and Archaeology, Pt. Gopal Narayan Bahura Felicitation Volume (1991)''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GwVuAAAAMAAJ |title=Pathways to Literature, Art, and Archaeology: Pt. Gopal Narayan Bahura Felicitation Volume |date=1991 |publisher=Publication Scheme |isbn=978-81-85263-70-0 |language=hi}}</ref>
* ''Textiles and Costumes from the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum (1979)''<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Museum |first1=Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4yg-AAAAMAAJ |title=Textiles and Costumes from the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum |last2=Museum |first2=Maharaja of Jaipur |date=1979 |publisher=Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum Trust |language=en}}</ref>
* ''A Review of Basohli Style in Indian Painting (1974)''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iRM9ygAACAAJ |title=A Review of Basohli Style in Indian Painting |date=1974 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Art Treasures of Rajasthan, Volume 1 (2004)''<ref name="Singh 2004"/>
* ''Marriage songs from Bhojpuri Region (1979)''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2e8pcgAACAAJ |title=Marriage Songs from Bhojpuri Region |date=1979 |publisher=Champa Lal Ranka |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Visual Music -Ragamala Paintings of Rajasthan by Sumahendra, Chandramani Singh (2005)'' – This is a portfolio that emerged from the exhibition by same title held at Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sumahendra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XbbIGwAACAAJ |title=Visual Music: Ragamala Paintings of Rajasthan |date=2005 |publisher=Jawahar Kala Kendra |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Woollen Textiles and Costumes from Bharat Kala Bhavan (1981)''<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XhFBAAAAYAAJ |title=Woollen Textiles and Costumes from Bharat Kala Bhavan |last2=Bhavan |first2=Bharat Kala |date=1981 |publisher=Bharat Kala Bhavan, Banaras Hindu University |language=en}}</ref>
* ''Chhavi. Golden Jubilee Volume. Bharat Kala Bhavan, 1920-1970. (Editor: Anand Krishna. Assistant Editor: Chandramani Singh.). (1971)''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhavan (BENARES) |first=Bharat Kala |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tBNEMwEACAAJ |title=Chhavi. Golden Jubilee Volume. Bharat Kala Bhavan, 1920-1970. (Editor: Anand Krishna. Assistant Editor: Chandramani Singh.). |date=1971 |language=en}}</ref>
* ''राजस्थान के निर्माण में स्त्रियों का योगदान 1200-1900 ई. राजस्थान के संदर्भ में (2016)''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yqapswEACAAJ |title=राजस्थान के निर्माण में स्त्रियों का योगदान: 1200-1900 ई. राजस्थान के संदर्भ में |date=2016 |publisher=Rājasthāna Hindī Grantha Akādamī |isbn=978-93-5131-255-0 |language=hi}}</ref>
* ''Cittauṛa kī Mahārānī Padminī kī aitihāsikatā itihāsa aura maukhika paramparā para ādhārita sāhitya samanvaya se by Chandramani Singh, Surendra Bothara (2020)'' – This is a study on the life of Padmavati, Queen, consort of Ratana Siṃha I, Rana of Chitor, active 1303. The historicity of the queen has been analysed through written sources as well as oral traditions, with special reference to Padmāvata, Awadhi narrative poem. The book has been translated in English as ''Historicity of Padmini.''<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Chandramani |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QsilzwEACAAJ |title=Cittauṛa kī Mahārānī Padminī kī aitihāsikatā: itihāsa aura maukhika paramparā para ādhārita sāhitya samanvaya se |last2=Bothara |first2=Surendra |date=2020 |publisher=Prākr̥ta Bhāratī Akādamī |isbn=978-93-81571-63-7 |language=hi}}</ref>
* ''जयपुर राज्य का इतिहास (सचित्र) (2013)'' – This book vividly portrays the History of Jaipur from the arrival of Kachawahas to Amber till the capital is shifted to Jaipur and the princely state is eventually integrated into Rajasthan in the Republic of India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=जयपुर राज्य का इतिहास (सचित्र): History of Jaipur State (Illustrated) {{!}} Exotic India Art |url=https://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/history-of-jaipur-state-illustrated-uba255/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=www.exoticindiaart.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Visionary,Vision and Wisdom Select Speeches from Palace Archives (2013)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jaipur) |first=Man Singh (Maharaja of |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iscRmAEACAAJ |title=Visionary, Vision, and Wisdom: Select Speeches from Palace Archives Jaipur |date=2013 |publisher=M.S. Man Singh II Museum Trust |isbn=978-93-81951-35-4 |language=en}}</ref>
Singh also wrote many articles on art history, textiles and museum collections.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Singh, Chandramani – Global InCH- International Journal of Intangible Cultural Heritage |url=https://globalinch.org/bibliographyauthor/singh-chandramani-2/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |language=en-US}}</ref> Some of which include ''Guṇijanakhānā , Cultural Heritage of Jaipur'' , Jaipur, 1979 in Proceedings of Rajasthan History Congress and ''The History and Art of Jaipur Painting: A Reappraisal'' In: Maruti Nandan Tiwari and Kamal Giri (eds), Indian Art and Aesthetics, New Delhi Aryan 2004.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Tiwari |first1=Maruti Nandan Prasad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y3FUPQAACAAJ |title=Indian Art and Aesthetics: Endeavours in Interpretation |last2=Giri |first2=Kamal |date=2004 |publisher=Indian Art History Congress |isbn=978-81-7305-263-7 |language=en}}</ref>

== Awards and recognition ==
In 1972, Singh received a national award from [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]] for designing and planning art books for ''Chhavi''.<ref name=":1" /> She was also awarded by [[Government of Rajasthan]] for her contribution to art and culture in 2015. Her expert opinion was sought on important matters of the history and [[culture of Rajasthan]] be it the controversy surrounding the film [[Padmaavat]] or the elation of recognition of Jaipur as World Heritage City by [[UNESCO]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-01-28 |title=Historian Dr. Chandramani Singh Recoes This Book To Understand The Real Rani Padmini Of Chittor |url=https://www.indianwomenblog.org/historian-dr-chandramani-singh-recoes-this-book-to-understand-the-real-rani-padmini-of-chittor/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Indian Women Blog - Stories of Indian Women |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-01-02 |title=After Rajputs, Muslims want ban on Padmavati for showing them in 'negative light' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/jaipur/now-padmavati-hurts-muslim-sentiments/story-t4nSqsLwkxMgBRiMjNFogL.html |access-date=2023-04-14 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-07-08 |title=Historians, town planners, royalty and celebrities: Jaipurites celebrate Walled City's UNESCO tag |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/historians-town-planners-royalty-and-celebrities-jaipurites-celebrate-walled-citys-unesco-tag/articleshow/70125721.cms |access-date=2023-04-14 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

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[[Category:Indian art historians]]
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]

Chandramani Singh - Revision history

Bmgrouprealty: added bio