Issued by India

Issued on Apr 7, 2025

Issued for : India Post proudly releases commemorative stamps on 50 Years of reestablishment of diplomatic relations, celebrating culture, history and mutual cooperation between the two nations.

Credits :
Stamp/Souvenir Sheet/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Kamleshwar Singh, Shri Jorge Macedo

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 5000 & 5000 Paise

Souvenir Sheet Price : 10000 Paise

Stamps Printed : 1,15,000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• India and Portugal share warm and friendly bilateral relations, based on longstanding historical and maritime linkages and close cultural connections. Relations between India and Portugal date back to over 500 years when the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama led a sea-faring expedition to Calicut (present day Kozhikode) in Kerala in May 1498, becoming the first in the world to discover a direct sea route between Europe and South Asia, across the Atlantic Ocean and the African continent. This gave Portugal direct access to the highly profitable Indian spice market, which contributed to its later emergence as a dominant colonial trading power.
• The Portuguese colonial era in India began in 1502 when they established their first trading centre in Quilon (present day Kollam) in Kerala. Later they acquired several other enclaves on the western coast including Diu, Daman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Goa in 1510. Subsequently Goa became the capital of the Portuguese Empire in the Orient, which stretched from Malacca (Malaysia) in the east to Mozambique in the west.
• Bilateral relations between independent India and Portugal began amicably in 1947 and diplomatic ties were established in 1949. The diplomatic relations saw a new dawn after the Carnation Revolution in April 1974, which toppled Salazar’s Estado Novo regime and ultimately restored democratic rule in Portugal. On 31 December 1974, India and Portugal signed a treaty recognising Indian sovereignty over Goa, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, which came into effect on 3 June 1975.
• There was rapid progress in bilateral relations from the 1990s, marking the beginning of an era of mutual interest in forging close ties. The ties deepened when António Costa took charge as the Prime Minister of Portugal in November 2015. PM Costa was the first Indian-origin Head of Government in the Western world. Bilateral relations gathered momentum with the reciprocal visits by PM António Costa and PM Narendra Modi in January and June 2017 respectively, followed by the visit of PM Costa to India in December 2019 and the State Visit of President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to India in February 2020.
• The year 2025 marks the 50^th anniversary of the revival of diplomatic relations between India and Portugal. To mark this special occasion, commemorative stamps on traditional attires that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the two countries are released. The attires share some stark similarities, much like the partnership between India and Portugal.
• Viano do Castelo traditional costume
  • Among Viana do Castelo’s costumes, the holiday ladies’ outfit is the most iconic and impressive. This costume is worn by young girls during the Lady of Agony festivals and other important celebrations and is characterized by its wealth and ostentation. This very special Viana do Castelo attire includes a velvet or wool skirt, a vest embroidered with intricate patterns, a linen shirt with delicate embroidery and the most eye-catching element- the gold pieces that adorn the girls’ neck, chest, and hands.
  • Viana’s young girls are the guardians of traditions, and their attire is a symbol of the region’s cultural heritage and wealth. The gold pieces worn by them are often inherited from previous generations and are passed down from mother to daughter as a family treasure.
• Kalbelia traditional costume
  • The Kalbelia costume is the traditional attire of the Kalbelia tribe of Rajasthan, India, known for their vibrant dance and music. Women wear a Ghagra (long, flowing skirt) adorned with intricate embroidery, mirror work and bright colors like black, red, and yellow. The Choli (blouse) is fitted and heavily decorated, often paired with an Odhani (veil or dupatta) draped over the head and shoulders. The costume is designed to enhance the graceful, swirling movements of the Kalbelia dance.
  • Jewelry plays a significant role, with silver bangles, anklets, necklaces, and large earrings adding to the costume’s elegance. The ensemble reflects the community’s nomadic heritage, drawing inspiration from snake charmers, as the Kalbelia people traditionally worked with snakes. The dress not only represents their cultural identity but also enhances the hypnotic, serpentine movements of their world-famous dance, which is recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
• The Postage stamps pay tribute to India and Portugal’s cultural richness, signifying a beautiful confluence of art and history. Portugal remains a key partner of India in the EU region and the commemorative release of the stamps will reflect the strong relationship.
• Text : Shri Kamleshwar Singh, Shri Jorge Macedo

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Issued by India

Issued on Mar 30, 2023

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to issue a set of Commemorative Postage Stamps on the Legends of Odisha who have contributed magnificently to the art and culture of not only Odisha but also took the Indian values and culture to the international panorama.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1000 Paise

Souvenir Sheet Price : 5000 Paise

Souvenir Sheets Printed : 301590

Miniature Sheet Printed : 1.11 Lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Kelucharan Mohapatra

Born on 8 Jan, 1926 at Raghurajpur, Puri, Odisha, India

Died on 7 Apr, 2004 at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

About : 

• Born on 08.01.1926 at Raghurajpur village in Puri, Kelucharan Mohapatra, is widely known as father of architect of Odissi dance. The story of his artistic experience touches all the salient features of the cultural life of Odisha and has become the story of growth and recognition of ‘Odissi style’ as one of the classical dances of India.
• Fondly known as Guruji, he established himself as a dancer and choreographer with the Annapurna “B” Theatre in Cuttack in 1940. He established his own distinct style and developed further dances in a systematic and precise manner. He travelled widely for popularizing Odissi dance and was associated with Odissi Research Centre in Bhubaneswar for more than a decade.
• In 1966, Guruji received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. He was conferred with Padmashree in 1974 and Padma Bhushan in 1988. In 1993, Guruji established “Srjan” in Bhubaneswar, as a humble offering to dance, music and rich national ethos. Throughout his lifetime, he made over 200 solo compositions and about 50 dance ballets to his credit and over 5000 students from across the world learned Odissi dance from him. For him, dance was a Sadhana and teaching, a Dharma. His demise on 07.04.2004 was a personal loss to many worldwide, who knew him through his dance and love for national ethos. His legacy lives on.
• Text : Referenced from the contents provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Apr 3, 2022

Issued for : Department of Posts is delighted to commemorate the 30 Years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Turkmenistan through the Joint Issue of Commemorative Postage Stamp.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation Cachet : Shri Brahm Prakash

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 Paise (2)

Stamps Printed : 201600 (on Sankirtana)

Miniature Sheets Printed : 111000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• India enjoys friendly and historical ties with Turkmenistan. Archaeological finds in South Turkmenistan including near Ashgabat have reveled their contacts with Indus Valley Civilization. Traces of Soma drink preparation (mentioned in Rig Veda) in the ruins of Gonur Depe archaeological site in Mary province supports the theory of early civilizational links between the two countries. Sanskrit Buddhist manuscripts, coins and Buddha statue found in the ruins of Merv (Mary province) suggest continuity of cultural and trade linkages. ‘Turkmen Gate’ built in Delhi in memory of great Turkmen Saint Shams-ul-Arifeen Shah Turkmen Bayabani, who is believed to have lived in India during 13^th century, also bears testimony to this friendship.
• In modern times bilateral relations have been strengthened by regular high-level visits. Hon’ble President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited India in May 2010. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi visited Turkmenistan in July 2015. During these visits, several significant MoUs and agreements were signed covering areas such as Science & Technology, Defence, and Tourism etc.
• Indian movies and TV serials are popular with Turkmen people. Similarly, Indian music especially Hindi songs also hold a special place in the hearts of Turkmen people. Indian film festivals are held on regular basis in different cities in Turkmenistan. ‘India Cultural Week’ including exhibition, dance performance, film and food festival was celebrated in Ashgabat in May 2017 to mark the 25^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Turkmenistan.
• Central Asia’s first Yoga and Traditional Medicine Centre was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India in Ashgabat in July 2015. A Yoga Teacher and an Ayurveda Expert have been deputed to the Centre from India and offer classes / consultations to interested people. They also teach at the State Medical University of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat.
• India provides training for Turkmen nationals under its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Since the inception of the programme for Turkmenistan in 1944, over 400 Turkmen nationals have been trained in various courses. In addition, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) provides Scholarships to students from Turkmenistan to pursue graduation, post-graduation and Ph.D. There are currently over 300 students from Turkmenistan pursuing their higher education in various reputed universities in India. In 2010, a Hindi Chair was established by India in Azadi Institute of World Languages, Ashgabat where Hindi is being taught to around 50 university students.
• The joint issue of Commemorative Postage Stamp celebrates this natural friendship of India and Turkmenistan through the traditional art of singing and dancing i.e. Sankirtana and Kushtdepdi. These traditional dance and singing forms of India and Turkmenistan are part of UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• Sankirtana encompasses an array of arts performed to mark religious occasions and various stages in the life of the Vaishnava people of the Manipur plains. Sankirtana practices Centre on the temple, where performers narrate the lives and deeds of Krishna through song and dance. Sankirtana works in harmony with the natural world, whose presence is acknowledged through its many rituals.
• Kushtdepdi is a performing art involving creative poeticizing focused on good feelings and wishes. It involves singing with vocal improvisation and dancing with movements of the hands, gestures and footsteps in accordance with the tune of the song. The rite serves as a tool for conveying good wishes and is an inseparable part of ceremonies and national celebrations.
• Text : Referenced from contents provided by Ministry of External Affairs.

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Issued by Israel

Issued on Jun 23, 2014

Description of the Stamps :
Sara Levi–Tanai stamp
The stamp features a sketched portrait based on a photograph courtesy of Shalom Seri of “Eele Betamar”.
The tab features an adapted photograph of the Rikud Hashoavot (Dance of the Women Drawing Water), from Be’ikvei Hazon (Shepherd Songs), choreography – Sara Levi-Tanai, 1955. Courtesy of the dance library at Beit Ariela and Lee Perlman, Executive Director of the America–Israel Cultural Foundation.

Esther Raab stamp
The portrait featured on the stamp is based on a photograph courtesy of Ehud Ben Ezer.
The tab features an adapted photograph of Hovevei Zion Street in Petach Tikva, circa 1900. Courtesy of Dr. Dalia Levy Eliahu.

Type : Stamps with Tabs, Mint condition

Security mark : Microtext

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 6 & 10 Shekel

Plates : 947 & 948

Stamps per Sheet : 15

Tabs per Sheet : 5

Method of Printing : Offset

Printer : Joh. Enschede, The Netherlands

Name : Sara Levi-Tanai

Born on 1910 at Jerusalem, Israel

Died on Oct 3, 2005 at Ramat Gan, Israel

Name : Esther Raab

Born on Apr 25, 1894 at Petah Tikva, Israel

Died on Sep 4, 1981 at Israel

About : 

• Early signs of women’s aspirations for gender equality in Eretz Israel were apparent as far back as the First Aliyah, as some women chose to take part in public affairs or non-conventional professions. Although the pages of history have not granted them their proper place – they operated in a world of preconceptions and discrimination against women, their fight for self-realization and equal opportunity cleared a path and inspired others.
• The State of Israel embraced equality as a core principle early on, and just three years after the establishment of the State the Knesset passed the Women’s Equal Right Law of 1951, guaranteeing equal treatment of women and men.
• Women have yet to be fully included in society’s most influential bodies, but the efforts of these pioneering women set a quiet social revolution in motion, furthering gender equality and changing our society.
• Sara Levi–Tanai
  (1910-2005)Choreographer, songwriter and poet Sara Levi-Tanai was born in Jerusalem to parents who were originally from Yemen. After her mother passed away when she was seven years old, she grew up in an orphanage in Sated and in the Meir Shfeya youth village. Levi-Tanai’s many talents, including writing and dramatizing were apparent from the time she was a child and she was awarded a JDC scholarship to Levinsky Seminar in Tel Aviv. There she was trained as a preschool teacher and subsequently worked in preschools in little Tel Aviv. Due to a shortage of proper educational material, she began writing poems and recitations for children. She also published stories in a number of newspapers, Davar, Davar Yeladim and Davar Hapo’elet.

  In 1940 she moved to Kibbutz Ramat Hakovesh, where she taught preschool during the day and was a cultural creator at night. She wrote revues for the holidays, set biblical passages to music, wrote holiday songs and created folk dances, the most well-known of which is El Ginat Ha’egoz (To the Nut Grove). She also published two children’s books at that time. Her desire to be more active in the arts brought Levi-Tanai back to Tel Aviv, where she founded the lnbal Dance Theater in 1949. She brought young girls and boys from “Kerem Hatemanim“, and through them connected to her Yemenite roots, which inspired her unique artistic works.

  Sara Levi-Tanai developed a new language of movement. Her choreography was inspired by the bible, Israeli landscapes and Yemenite and Sephardic folklore. Through its many overseas tours, lnbal served as an ambassador of Israeli culture.

  Sara Levi-Tanai was awarded the Israel Prize in dance in 1973 for her contributions in the field of performing arts, as well as various other awards, including the title of “honored citizen of Tel Aviv“.

  Michal Degani
  Daughter of Sara Levi-Tanai

• Esther Raab
  1894-1981Esther Raab, Israel’s first native poet, was born in Petach Tikva, the first Hebrew moshava (agricultural colony). Her father, Judah Raab, was among the founders of Petach Tikva. Her poems began to be published in the early 1920’s and her first book, Kimshonim (Thistles) came out in 1930.

  The happiest years of her life were those spent growing up in the moshava, with its landscapes, animals and vegetation, and in time – her wealth, friends, home in Tel Aviv, which was a gathering place for writers and artists in the early 1930’s, and most of all – her poems, written over the course of more than 60 years, until just before her death at age 87.

  The low points in her life were marked by her disappointing loves and marriage, her years of silence, her childlessness and in her later years she lost her fortune and was haunted by nightmares.

  Author Yehoshua Kenaz wrote of her poetry: “Reading these poems is an Israeli experience, a Mediterranean experience, a first class artistic experience that poet Esther Raab was perhaps the first to express in such a bold and pure manner.“

  Ehud Ben Ezer
  Esther Raab’s nephew and author of her biography Yamim shel La’anah u–Dvash (Days of Gall and Honey)

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Issued by India

Issued on Feb 13, 2011 

Issued for : India Post is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Savithri.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Sankha Samanta
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paisa

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million (0.3 million for normal distribution and 0.1 million for Indipex-2011)

Miniature Sheets : 0.3 Million (0.2 million for normal distribution and 0.1 million for Indipex-2011)

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

Name : Nissankara Savitri

Born on Jan 4, 1936 at Chirravuru, Guntur district, Madras Presidency, British India [now in Andhra Pradesh]

Died on Dec 26, 1981 at Madras, Tamil Nadu, India

About : 

• Savithri Telugu–Tamil actress and director, was born in Chirravuru, Guntur District, AP into a wealthy family. She learnt music and dance under Sista Purnayya Sastry and gave some public performances as a child in Vijaywada. After working in a theatre company run by NTR, K. Jaggaiah etc., she started her own group, the Navabharata Natya Mandali. She acted in a play ‘Atma Vanchana‘ by Buchi Babu. After her debut with L.V. Prasad‘s ‘Samsaram‘, she followed with K.V. Reddy‘s Patala Bhairavi, and minor film roles until ‘Pelli Chesi Choodu‘ made her a star, and ‘Ardhangi‘ and ‘Missamma‘ established her acting credentials. She acted in several films by the choreographer-director Raghavaiah. 
• She often starred with Gemini Ganesan and later married him. As director and producer (1968-71) she did not achieve much commercial success but is remembered for her roles in mythological and family dramas.
• Text : Text provided by the Film Archives.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 3, 2010

Issued for : India Post is happy to issue commemorative postage stamp on T.N. Rajarathinam Pillai, Thanjavur Balasaraswathi and Veenai Dhanammal.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.3 Million

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Tanjore Balasaraswati

Born on May 13, 1918 at Madras, British India

Died on Feb 9, 1984 at Chennai, India

About : 

• Balasaraswathi was born on 13 May 1918 into a family of musicians. Her mother Jayammal was a versatile singer and an accomplished tabla player. Her great grandmother was the legendary Veenai Dhanammal. All her family members were musicians and earlier generations had renowned dancers. Balasaraswathi‘s interest in dance & music led her to learn Bharatanatyam and music from renowned teachers, soon becoming an artist of excellence. Known for her mastery of “abhinaya” she could portray any song imaginatively, without any anticipation. She had a rich repertoire, with well over 5 Alarippus, 19 Jatiswarams, 8 Sabdams, 13 Varnas, 97 Padas, and 51 Jhavalis etc. She visited Japan and England. In England she had the honour of performing on eight consecutive nights in the Edinburgh festival. The Sangeet Natak Akademi conferred upon her its prestigious national award and she received the Padma Bhushan in 1957, the title of Sangeeta Kalanidhi in 1975 and Doctorate in 1978. On 9 Feb 1984, the illustrious Balasaraswathi passed away.
• Text : Based on the materials as provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Jan 31, 2009

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Bishnu Prasad Rabha.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Brahm Prakash
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million

Printing Process : Wet–offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

Name : Bishnu Prasad Rabha

Born on Jan 31, 1909 at Dacca, Bengal Presidency, British India

Died on Jun 20, 1969 at Tezpur, Sonitpur district, Assam, India

About : 

• Bishnu Prasad Rabha, the doyen of Assamese culture, endearingly called as ‘Kala Guru’ was the son of Gopal Rabha, his ancestral home was in South Kamrup district of Assam. He was born on 31^st January, 1909 at Dhaka, where his father served as Subedar Major in the British Army.
  
• Bishnu Prasad Rabha had his primary education at Dhaka and passed Matriculation from Tezpur High School in 1926 in first division. He did I.S.C. from St. Paul’s College, Kolkata in 1928, could not complete his B.Sc., though he studied in Rippon College, Kolkata; and Victoria College, Rangpur. As the Indian freedom movement caught momentum Bishnu Prasad had to bear the repressive measures by the British Govt. to crush the movement. As a consequence, his academic career suffered and ended in 1931.
  
• The philosophy of the life of Bishnu Prasad Rabha finds its clear expression in his multifarious activities and his writings transcend his significance as the foremost cultural rebel-thinker of his times. He is, above all, an epitome whose artistic and literary bend of mind rightly focused in the contemporary Assamese culture.
  
• Bishnu Prasad Rabha was a versatile genius. He touched all the media of communication like painting, dance, drama and music, cinema, gramophone records, news papers et al and proved his ability in all the fields. His dancing prowess mesmerized the audience. He was bestowed the title Kalaguru by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan at Varanasi following a recital of the Tandava dance. His poems are valued as revolutionary contributions that have brought new spirit to the youth of Assam. His musical tunes, and their lyrical contents were basically of Assamese tradition brilliantly used in art form.
  
• Bishnu Prasad Rabha made valuable literary contribution to the Assamese literature. His numerous writings on Assamese culture are scientifically based on historical and anthropological facts. He was in favour of educating the masses through artistic and cultural activities.
  
• Bishnu Prasad Rabha realized the power of mass media and worked for fostering it fraternal feelings amongst the various races, dialects etc., of undivided Assam.
  
• In 1967, Bishnu Prasad Rabha was elected as Member of Assam Legislative Assembly from the Tezpur constituency.
  
• He passed away on 20^th June, 1969.
  
• Text : Based on material provided by the proponent.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 1, 2002

Issued for : The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Santidev Ghose.

Credits :
Stamp : Sankha Samanta
FDC : Rabindra Choudhary
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Postal Used

Colour : Four Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Overall size : 28.8 x 33.4 mms.

Printing size :  28.8 x 33.4 mms.

Perforation : 13.5 x 13.5

Paper : Matt Chromo

Print Quantity : 0.4 million

Number of stamps per sheet : 48

Printing Process : Photo Offset

Printer : Calcutta Security Printers Ltd.

Name : Santidev Ghosh

Born on May 7, 1910 at Bajapti, Chandpur district, Chittagong division, Bangladesh

Died on Dec 1, 1999 at Kolkata, India

About :

• Santidev Ghose (1910-1999), doyen of Rabindrasangeet and Dance, was a towering figure in the cultural life of West Bengal, and also a teacher, scholar and writer.
• Born at Chandpur (presently in Bangladesh), Santidev came to Santiniketan with his parents when he was only a baby of six months. He attended school at Santiniketan and showed a preference for the performing arts at an early age. Gurudev Tagore who was in favour of giving due importance to the Arts in school curriculum took the promising young pupil under his wings. Santidev travelled with Rabindranath to different parts of India and Sri Lanka as part of his performing troupe.
• Santidev Ghose joined the Sangeet Bhavana at the Visva-Bharati as a teacher in 1930. He served twice as Principal of the institution. Before Tagore’s death in 1941 he entrusted Santidev with the task of propagating his music in its pure form. Throughout his career Santidev held this as a sacred trust. As a part of this assignment he wrote many books in Bengali on Rabindrasangeet and Dance, and related subjects, several of them are widely used as text books. Among his important titles are: ‘Rabindra Sangeet’, ‘Java o Balir Nritya Geet’ (Music and Dance in Java and Bali) and ‘Rabindranather Purnanga Sikshadarshey Sangeet o Nritya’ (Music and Dance in Rabindranath’s ideal of a well-rounded education).
• Santidev Ghose received many awards and honours in his lifetime. Foremost among them were the Padma Bhushan (1988), a special Russian Medal (1961), Fellowship of the Sangeet Natak Akademi (1976), Desikottama (D.Litt. Honoris Cause) (1988) and Rabindra Tattvacharya from Tagore Research Institute, Kolkata.
• More than any other accomplishment, Santidev Ghose brought Rabindrasangeet and Dance closer to the people without any loss of its purity. At the same time, he helped bring about a resurgence in the folk arts of Bengal, a resurgence of Bali and Fakir songs, of Chhau dance and the Alkap theatre. He also promoted a fusion of the folk and urban streams to some extent.
• Text : Based on material furnished by the sponsors.

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Issued by India

Issued on Oct 9, 2001

Issued for : The Department of Posts is proudly releasing a set of stamps honouring three personalities viz. Bharathidasan, Lachhu Maharaj and Master Mitrasen, whose creative expressions in the diverse fields of poetry, dance and theatre had a tremendous influence on the social and cultural life of the country.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Sankha Samanta
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Three Colour

Denomination : 400 Paise

Overall size : 2.90 x 3.91 cms.

Printing Size :  2.90 x 3.91 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported un w/m stamp paper

Stamps Printed : 0.4 million Each

Number per issue sheet : 40

Printing Process : Photo Offset

Printer : Eagle Press Pvt. Ltd.

Name : Baij Nath Prasad

Born on 1907 at India

Died on 1978

About : 

• Lachhu Maharaj (1901-1978) came from a family of illustrious Kathak exponents in Lucknow. He was fortunate to receive extensive training in Kathak from Pandit Bindadeen Maharaj, his uncle and the court dancer of the Nawab of Awadh, for nearly ten years. He also learnt the Pakhawaj, the Tabla and vocal music, which helped to add many ornamentations to his style of dancing. He later moved to Bombay, where the emerging film industry helped him to establish his credentials as a modern master of Kathak. Lachhu Maharaj was acclaimed for the choreography of dance sequences in movies like Mahal, Mughal-e-Azam and Pakhiza as well as his ballets like Goutam Buddha, Chandravali and Bharatiya Kissan. He served as the founder Director of the Kathak Kendra started by the Uttar Pradesh Government in Lucknow. He also won many prestigious awards like the President’s Award and the Sangeet Natak Academy Award.
• Text : Based on material furnished by the sponsors.

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Issued by India

Issued on Dec 29, 1998

Issued for : The Department of Posts commemorates the Indian Musical tradition with issue of a set of four stamps on Indian Musical Instruments with a backdrop of panels from ancient stone carvings, featuring the particular instrument. Two of the stamps feature stringed instruments; Rudra veena and Sarod. The third stamp features Pakhawaj a percussion instrument and the fourth, Bansuri a wind instrument.

The First Day Cover depicts a 15^th century Kangra painting, “Lady dancing to the tune of the dholak“.

Credits :
Stamp design : Sankha Samanta, based on photographs of the musical instruments from “Sharan Rani Backliwal Gallery of Musical Instruments”, National Museum, New Delhi. The designs were evolved in association with Smt. Sharan Rani.
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamps, Postal Used

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 200, 600, 800 & 1000 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported Unwatermarked Adhesive Gr. Coated Stamp Paper in Sheets 50.8 x 53.5 cms.

Stamps Printed : 0.7 Million

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nasik

About : 

• The evolution of the musical tradition of India can be traced through ancient manuscripts and visual depictions of musical instruments in sculpture, paintings and objects from archaeological excavations. Musical instruments were classified into 4 main categories in the ‘Natya Shastra’ compiled by Bharat Muni (dated 200 BC-200 AD). This grouping done on the basis of how sound is produced, is universally accepted :–
  
• Tata Vadya or Chordophones (stretched stringed instruments both plucked and bowled) :
  The sound is produced by the vibrations of strings, plucked by the fingers or a plectrum by means of friction. The various forms of the Veena including the ‘been’ of the north and ‘veena’ of the south, sarod, santoor, rabab, surbahar, sitar, gottuvadyam, tanpura are examples of stringed instruments. When the stone age caves of Bhimbetka, believed to be 10,000 years old, were discovered, the walls were found to have several layers of painting. The bow shaped harp seen in these paintings is said to be more than five thousand years old, perhaps the earliest evidence of stringed instruments in India.
  
• Sushira or Aerophones (hollow or wind instruments) :
  The sound is produced by vibration of air. Two of the oldest instruments are Sankh and the ‘Bansuri’ also called ‘Murali’. Varieties of horn-types, including curved wind instruments were developed for performing in festivals, processions and temple singing. They were called by various names such as sringa, nara-sringa, ‘naga-todi’ and so on. Wind instruments have been depicted in stone carvings and paintings from pre-historic time onwards. Paintings seen in the Bhimbetka caves near Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh show a kind of trumpet. The gesture for playing the flute is depicted in almost all the dance styles. The horizontal flute is best suited to playing the slower passages or the ‘Alap’, in Indian music.
  
• Avanaddha Vadya or Membranophones (covered vessels or drums, percussion instruments) :
  The sound is produced by the vibrations of stretched skin. Such instruments comprise ‘drums’, ‘rattles’, ‘pakhawaj’, ‘mridanga’, ‘dholak’, ‘tabla’, etc. The Pakhawaj is one of the most ancient drums of north India. It is a wooden barrel drum bulging in the middle and tapering towards the end. The playing position is similar to that of the ‘Mridangam’ of south India. The instrument accompanies vocal and instrumental music and provides rhythm in dance forms such as Kathak and Odissi.
  
• The Ghana Vadya or Idiophones :
  The sound is produced by solids struck against each other, the vibration of the solid according to the cause of the vibration whether percussion or friction such as the ‘cymbal’, ‘gongs’, ‘ghanta’, ‘ghanti’, ‘ghungroo’, ‘kartal’ etc.
  
• Text : Publications of Sangeet Natak Academy.

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