A Duma (, ) is any of various representative assemblies in modern Russia and Russian history. The State Duma in the Russian Empire and Russian Federation corresponds to the lower house of the parliament. Simply it is a form of Russian governmental institution, that was formed during the reign of the last Tzar, Nicholas II. It is also the term for a council to early Russian rulers ('Boyar Duma'), as well as for city councils in Imperial Russia ('Municipal dumas'), and city and regional legislative bodies in the Russian Federation.

In early Russian history

The term comes from the Russian word думать (dumat’), "to think" or "to consider". The Boyar Duma was an advisory council to the grand princes and tsars of Russia. The Duma was discontinued by Peter the Great, who transferred its functions to the Governing Senate in 1721.

Municipal dumas

.]] Since 1870 the municipalities in European Russia have had institutions like those of the zemstvos. All owners of houses, tax-paying merchants and workmen are enrolled on lists in a descending order according to their assessed wealth. The total valuation is then divided into three equal parts, representing three groups of electors very unequal in number, each of which elects an equal number of delegates to the municipal duma. The executive is in the hands of an elective mayor and an uprava, which consists of several members elected by the duma. Under Alexander III, however, by laws promulgated in 1892 and 1894, the municipal dumas were subordinated to the governors in the same way as the zemstvos. In 1894 municipal institutions, with still more restricted powers, were granted to several towns in Siberia, and in 1895 to some in Caucasia.

State Duma in Imperial Russia

Under the pressure of the Russian Revolution of 1905, on August 6, 1905, Sergei Witte issued a manifesto about the convocation of the Duma, initially thought to be an advisory organ. In the subsequent October Manifesto, Nicholas II pledged to introduce basic civil liberties, provide for broad participation in the State Duma, and endow the Duma with legislative and oversight powers.

However, Nicholas II was determined to retain his autocratic power. Just before the creation of the Duma in May 1906, the Tsar issued the Fundamental Laws. It stated in part that Tsar's ministers could not be appointed by, and were not responsible to, the Duma, thus denying responsible government at the executive level. Furthermore, the Tsar had the power to dismiss the Duma and announce new elections whenever he wished.

The imperial State Duma was elected 4 times: in 1906, twice in 1907, and in 1912.

State Duma in the Russian Federation

The State Duma (Russian: Государственная дума, Gosudarstvennaya Duma, common abbreviation: Госдума, Gosduma) in Russia is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia (parliament), the upper house being the Federation Council of Russia. Under Russia's 1993 constitution, there are 450 deputies of the State Duma (Article 95), each elected to a term of four years (Article 96); this was changed to a five-year term in late 2008. In previous elections of 1993, 1995, 1999 and 2003 one half of the deputies were elected by a system of proportional representation and one half were elected by plurality in single member districts. However, the 2007 Duma elections were carried out in a new format: all 450 deputies were elected by a system of proportional representation. Russian citizens at least 21 years old are eligible to run for the Duma (Article 97).

See also

Elections in Russia

Tauride Palace

Moscow City Duma

Saint Petersburg City Duma

Zemsky Sobor

Veche

References

Russia Category:Government of Russia Category:Russian loanwords Category:Government of the Russian Empire

Name	Gurdas Maan
Background	solo_singer
Born	January 04, 1957 Giddarbaha, Muktsar, Punjab, India
Genre	Punjabi BhangraHindustani
Occupation	Singer-songwriterActorMusician
Years active	1980 – present
Url	http://www.gurdasmaan.com

Gurdas Maan (, ) is an Indian singer, songwriter, choreographer, and actor. He is considered one of the most notable figures in the world of Punjabi music. He was born on 4 January 1957 in Giddarbaha, Muktsar, Punjab, India. He gained national attention in India in 1980 with the song Dil Da Mamla Hai. Since then, he has gone on to record over 27 albums and has written over 200 songs.

Early life

Gurdas Maan was born on 4th January, 1957 in a jatt Sikh family of Punjabi background in Giddarbaha Muktsar, Punjab (India). His parents are Tej Kaur and Sardar Gurdev Singh Maan. Maan was formally educated in Malout. After completing his education there, his parents enrolled him into a further education institute in Patiala. As a keen sports enthusiast Maan was fascinated by the National Institute of Sports in the city; this prompted him to join the N.I.S and gain a Masters Degree in Physical Education.

He took part in youth festivals organized by various universities and won several awards for his singing and acting, always supported by his friends. He competed in many athletic events and won medals including a bronze at the National Championship as well as achieving a black belt in judo. Gurdas Maan will be performing at The Royal Albert Hall in March 2011, an opportunity that very few artists come across.

On other fronts, Gurdas Maan has also starred in blockbuster Bollywood films and has received numerous awards, including the Jury’s Award, presented to him by the President of India in 2005.

In 2009 he won "Best International Album" at the UK Asian Music Awards for Boot Polishan.

In 2007 he won the National Award for Best Male playback singer for his songs titled "Couplets of heer" for the movie "Waris Shah - Ishq da Waris".

Film

Gurdas Maan is best known as an actor for his performances in two films: Waris Shah-Ishq Da Waaris (2006), which was nominated as India's selection for the Academy Awards, and Shaheed-E-Mohabbat (1999), the film which tells the real-life story of Boota Singh.

Gurdas also appeared in the hit film Shaheed Udham Singh (2000), in which he played the role of Bhagat Singh, a Sikh man with no prejudices based on religion, caste or creed. As a singer Gurdas Maan has worked with music directors such as Laxmikant Pyarelal, Bappi Lahiri, Anu Malik, Nadeem Sharvan, Amar Haidipur, Charanjeet Ahuja, and Jaswant Bhanyra .

He also starred alongside Juhi Chawla in the epic Des Hoyaa Pardes (2004), an emotional film illustrating the tragedies faced by the people of Punjab in the 1980s. He adopted the role of a son of a well-respected Jatt (bilingual separtist) Gurdev Singh Somal. He falls in love with a high ranking police officer’s daughter. Before the wedding, the father is murdered by separatists. This tale soon twists in to the inevitable demise of Gurshaan (Gurdas Maan). This movie was based on actual events.

Aside from singing in Punjabi, he is fluent in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Haryanvi and Rajasthani. As an actor he has performed in Punjabi, Hindi and Tamil movies, but he is best known for his starring role in Waris Shah-Ishq Da Waaris, a depiction of the Punjabi poet Waris Shah during the creation of his epic poem Heer Ranjha, again co-starring Juhi Chawla and Divya Dutta. He also made a special appearance in Veer-Zaara with Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zinta.

He has also appeared in Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da (1982), Mamla Garbar Hai (1984), Long Da Lishkara (1986), Qurbani Jatt Di (1990), Pratigya (1990), Roohani Taaqat (1991), Saali Adhi Ghar Waali (1992), Wanted: Gurdas Maan Dead or Alive (1994), Kachehri (1994), and Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai (2002).

Personal life

Maan is married to Manjit and has one son Gurikk who has done his schooling from Yadavindra Public School and Mayo College. He also studied at Eton College.

Discography

2011: Ik Kudi Punjab Di (MovieBox/Tips/Speed Records)

2010: Chak Jawana

2010: Sukhmani

2009: Dukhan Nu Bana Ke Apna

2009: ''Legends of the Five Rivers - Vol. 1-4

2008: Bekadraan Naal Pyar (T-Series)

2008: Boot Polishan (Sai Creations/UK BOX OFFICE)

2005: Vilayatan (T-Series/MovieBox)

2004: Heer (T-Series)

2003: Punjeeri (T-Series/MovieBox/Music Waves)

2001: Pyar Kar Lai (Tips)

1999: Jaadugarian (Venus)

1998: Dil Hona Chahida Jawaan (Venus)

1997: Yaar Mera Pyar (T-Series)

1996: Chaklo Chaklo (T-Series)

1995: Ishq Na Dekhe Zaat

1994: Aaja Sajna

1994: Ishq Da Giddha (Tips)

1993: Ghar Bhulgi Morh Te Ake

1993: Than Than Gopal (RMI)

1993: Aakarh Aa Hi Jaandi-E'(Music Bank)

1992: Larh Geya Pecha

1991: Dil Da Badshah

1990: Mohabbat Zindabad

1989: Akhiyaan Udeek Dian

1988: Chakkar

1988* ''Raat Suhani'

1988: Chugliyaan

1988: Wah Ni Jawaniye

1987: Geetan Bhari Patari

1986: Nacho Babeyo

1985: Kurian Ne Judo Sikh Lai

1984: Peer Tere Jaan Di

1983: Masti

1982: Dil Saaf Hona Chahida

1982: Disco Vichari

1981: Dil Da Mamla Hai

Filmography

2010: Dooriyan Jee Dooriyan (Think Big Entertainment)

2009: Mini Punjab (Speed OXL Films)

2008: Yaariyan (Universal)

2007: Mummy-Ji (special appearance) (Universal)

2006: Waris Shah-Ishq Da Waaris (MovieBox)

2004: Des Hoyaa Pardes (Universal)

2004: Veer Zaara (special appearance)(Yash Raj Films)

2002: Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai

2000: Shaheed Udham Singh (MovieBox)

1999: Shaheed-E-Mohabbat

1999 Sirf Tum (special appearance)

1995: Subedaar

1994: Kachehri

1994: Wanted: Gurdas Maan Dead or Alive

1992: Saali Adhi Ghar Waali

1991: Roohani Taaqat

1990: Pratigya

1990: Qurbani Jatt Di

1990: Dushmani Di Aag

1988: Baghavaat

1987: Chhora Haryana Da

1986: Ki Banu Duniyan Da

1986: Gabroo Punjab Da

1986: Laung Da Lashkara

1985: Patthar Dil

1984: Mamla Garbar Hai

1982: Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da

References

Category:Bhangra Category:Jat people Category:People from Punjab (India) Category:Punjwood film actors Category:Indian Sikhs Category:Punjabi-language singers Category:People from Faridkot Category:Living people Category:1957 births