Bharat Gaurav Mrs. Begam Batool - Mand Singer

In the sprawling deserts of Rajasthan, where the sands whisper tales of ancient traditions and vibrant culture, there emerges a voice that transcends time and space. That voice belongs to Mrs. Begam Batool, a true maestro of Rajasthani Bhajan and Maand, whose journey from the narrow alleys of tradition to the grand stages of the world is nothing short of extraordinary.

Born into a conservative Muslim community, where the echoes of tradition often suffocate the dreams of women, Begam Batool dared to defy convention from a young age. Blessed with a natural talent for music, she found solace and expression in the rhythmic beats of the tabla and the soul-stirring melodies of Rajasthani folk songs.

But Begam Batool’s journey to musical prominence was not without its challenges. In a society where women’s voices were meant to be heard only within the confines of their homes, stepping onto the public stage was a bold and courageous act. Yet, fueled by her passion for music and her unwavering determination, she embarked on a journey that would take her beyond the borders of her homeland and into the hearts of audiences worldwide.

With her mastery over a plethora of rhythmic instruments like the tabla, dholak, dhol, and Daf, as well as her proficiency in international instruments like the djembe and darbuka, Begam Batool crafted a unique and mesmerizing style that blended the traditional with the contemporary. Her ability to sing while playing the tabla herself became her signature, captivating audiences with its seamless fusion of melody and rhythm.

Despite facing skepticism and resistance from conservative elements within her community, Begam Batool remained undeterred. For over four decades, she has crisscrossed the globe, sharing the soulful melodies of Rajasthan with audiences in India, Europe, Africa, Australia, and beyond. From the grandeur of the Town Hall of Paris to the humble surroundings of the Cathédrale Saint-Louis in Tunisia, her performances have left an indelible mark on all who have had the privilege of hearing her sing.

But Begam Batool’s contributions extend far beyond her musical prowess. She is a trailblazer, a pioneer, and a tireless advocate for women’s empowerment. In a society where women are often relegated to the sidelines, she has carved out a space for herself as the only woman in her community to perform in public concerts. Through her initiatives like “Bassant,” she provides a platform for talented artists from rural Rajasthan to showcase their skills, fostering a sense of community and pride.

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. She has been honored with prestigious awards like the “Nari Shakti Puraskar,” the highest civilian honor for women in India, as well as the “Rajasthan Gaurav” Award from the Governor of Rajasthan. She has shared the stage with luminaries from across the globe, including French actress Sandrine Bonnaire, musician duo Polo and Pan, and Spanish flamenco dancer Yolanda Osuna, among others.

But perhaps Begam Batool’s greatest legacy lies in the lives she has touched and the doors she has opened for future generations. Through her advocacy for education and empowerment, she has inspired countless young girls from her community to pursue their dreams, showing them that with talent, determination, and opportunity, anything is possible.

As the spotlight continues to shine on her remarkable journey, Begam Batool remains humble and grounded, a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and unite hearts. Her story, soon to be immortalized in a documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Audre Gordon, serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring musicians and empowered women everywhere. In the rich tapestry of Rajasthan’s cultural heritage, Begam Batool’s voice will forever echo, a testament to the enduring power of music to uplift, inspire, and unite.

by Team Bharat Gaurav

Bharat Gaurav Mr. Mathiyalagan Kangartnam - Artist

Promoting Indian music and dance in Europe for the past 30 years.

Arrived in France at the age of 15 in 1993. Started as a dancer in Viluthu association where became the dance teacher. Subsequently, after 10 years for stage experience, he finally realized his dream in 2003 by creating his own group “RC New Boys and Girls” was born. Mr. Mathiyalagan is the artistic director and choreographer and lead dancer of this group. Performed more than 10,000 universal private events and given numerous dance classes through artistic schools in France.

Mr. Mathiyalagan has achieved several landmarks in his artistic career :

  • Played in the French film “Célibataires” with Guillaume Depardieu (2006).
  • Acted in the Tamil film “Boys and girls” by V. Rajagopal (2006).
  • Danced in film “The Theory of the Universe” by Kamir Méridja (2007)
  • Participated till semi-final at France Got Talent television show on French television and reached till Semi-Final (2008),
  • Participated in the show “2 hours of laughter with Gad Merad”,
  • Participated in the show “Jodi number 1” on Vijay TV in India (2011),
  • Acted in music video with Indila and TLF called “Criminels” (2012),
  • Participated in the show “Who will be the best tonight?” (2012),
  • Choreographed a couple (Julie and Florian) for the show “You can dance” (2012),
  • Participated in a major festival in Algeria (2013),
  • Participated in a grand show for the Hon’ble President of Congo-Brazaville (2013),
  • Appeared in TV show “4 honeymoon weddings” (2013),
  • Participated in the show “Touche pas à mon poste” (2014),
  • Participated in a program at the town hall of Paris in the presence of Mr Deepak Vohra, Ambassador and officer on Special Duty to the Technology Adviser to the Prime Minister of India (2015),
  • Received “GOPIO ACHIEVERS AWARD” (2022),
  • Received grand prize at Anuradha Sriram’s concert in India (2023),
  • Performed at several Tamil channels (SUN TV, VIJAY TV, DEEPAM, TTN, TRT) and French channels (TF1, M6, NT1, W8, CANAL+).

by Team Bharat Gaurav

Bharat Gaurav Mr. Ramesh Pokhriyal - Writer & Politician

Ramesh Pokhriyal is a renowned Indian author, born in 1959 in the scenic state of Uttarakhand, known for its natural beauty. Since his childhood, he had a passion for writing poems and stories, which led him to publish his first book, "Samarpan," in 1983. He has authored over 100 books on various topics such as travel, tourism, culture, and religion. His pen name, "Nishank," is well-known among readers worldwide, as his books have been translated into several languages, including English, German, Spanish, Telugu, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannad, Urdu, Farsi, Marathi, Konkan, and Rajasthani.

Pokhriyal's contribution to Indian literature has been recognized by several dignitaries, including Mr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Mrs. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, and Mr. Pranav Mukhrjee. He has received numerous awards and accolades, including the "Vatyan Lifetime Achievement Award" in the United Kingdom, the "International Global Galaxy Award" in Germany, the "Sahitya Gaurav Samman" in Canada, the "Mauritius Award" by the President of Mauritius, the "Himal Gaurav Samman" in Nepal, the "Environment Conservation Award" in Poland, and the "Sahitya Bharti" award by the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He has also received the highest recognition in the world of literature, the "International Ajay Swarn Padak."

Apart from being an acclaimed author, Pokhriyal is also an Indian politician. He was appointed as the Minister of Human Resource Development on 31 May 2019, which was later renamed as the Minister of Education in July 2020. He represents the Haridwar Parliamentary constituency of Uttarakhand in the 17th Lok Sabha. Previously, he served as the 5th Chief Minister of Uttarakhand from 2009 to 2011 and was a member of the 16th Lok Sabha, where he chaired the Committee on Government Assurances.

Pokhriyal is married to Kusum Kanta Pokhriyal, whom he married on 7 May 1985. The couple has three daughters, one of whom, Aarushi Nishank, is a classical dancer. With his impressive achievements in both literature and politics, Pokhriyal continues to be an inspiration to many in India and beyond.

by Team Bharat Gaurav

Bharat Gaurav Mr. Siddharth Singh - Chef UK

Mr. Sidhharth Singh is a talented and experienced chef who has spent the last 25 years honing his skills in various kitchens around the world. Born in Jaipur, India, he had a passion for exploring diverse cuisines and restaurant options available in his hometown from an early age. His father, Chef Gopal Singh, had a significant influence on his culinary journey, and he learned his first cooking lessons under his father's guidance.

After developing a keen interest in Indian cooking, he joined the restaurant industry at the prestigious Rajputana Palace Sheraton in Jaipur in 1994. Here, he learned the art of tandoor and Indian spices under the guidance of his seniors. Later, he joined the Radisson Hotel in Varanasi, where he was honored to open The Great Kabab Factory, an Indian specialty restaurant, under the guidance of Chef Som Shankar and Chef Vakeel Ahmad. The restaurant is now a signature restaurant for Radisson Hotels in India.

During his career, he had the privilege of serving many notable figures, including Bollywood celebrity Salman Khan, who he served during one of his shoots. Customers commended him for the quality and taste of his food, and he won various local culinary awards over the years.

He continued to hone his skills by working at many hotels, including Fortune (Ahmedabad) and Park Plaza (Jaipur), and even worked on Miami Cruise lines. Fifteen years ago, he made Sheffield, UK, his home and worked at various restaurant chains such as Las Iguanas and Giraffe to understand the restaurant culture in the UK and develop new skill sets.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, he decided it was time to fulfill his dream of opening a successful restaurant overseas, and that's when 400°C was born. He designed a menu that focuses on dishes made with readily available fresh ingredients, and he implemented strict quality control to ensure that his food is safe to eat and adheres to all food safety regulations. He also ensures that his staff members are honing their skills to ensure the best service.

400°C is the manifestation of his life's experiences, hard work, and dreams. It's also a form of appreciation for his community. He believes that he is still learning something new every single day while thoroughly enjoying this process because of his love and passion for food crafts.

by Team Bharat Gaurav

Bharat Gaurav Suvigya Sharma - The Artist

by Team Bharat Gaurav