Shimla November 2008 Issue No. 11
Monthly e-Stamp Bulletin Edited by Jeevan Jyoti for free circulation among philatelists
Readers are requested to send reports of philatelic activities in their area for publication. Short write ups by the readers about their journals, societies, publications and philatelic requirements can be sent for inclusion in this bulletin to j.jyoti9@gmail.com or rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com and by post to –
Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti, D.F.O. Residence, Chopal, Distt. Shimla (H.P.) PIN 171211.
Note- This bulletin is only for circulation among a limited group of philatelists without any commercial purpose. The bulletin will be sent to the readers only on request. Those who wish to receive it regularly please reply giving the name of your city/country with the subject SUBSCRIBE RAINBOW
Dear Philatelist
The month of October has been very festive both philatelically and nationally. India Post has issued many beautiful stamps and miniature sheets during this month. But a controversy has been created among philatelists due to cost of these miniature sheets. The miniature sheets of Philately Day and XIX Commonwealth Games have been charged for Rs 20 whereas the rate on these miniature sheets has been printed Rs. 15. It has caused a big confusion and chaos among stamp collectors all over the country. India Post should have clear guidelines regarding the actual rates for miniature sheets. India’s biggest festivals are being celebrated in this month . After Durga Puja, Dussehra we are going to celebrate Deepawali on 28th October. This special issue comes to you one week earlier and it is a small Diwali surprise for you. I have a very nice article on this special occasion from our very distinguished member Dr. Stayendra Kumar Agrawal on Lord Ram. Hope you will enjoy this article and rest of the issue too. Wishing you all A very Happy and Prosperous Dipawali ! Till next month …Happy Collecting!
HAPPY DIWALI & SEASON'S GREETINGS
Through delightful "Imprinted Greetings Post Stamps."
India Post launched their innovative product so called "Greetings Post" on 6th Sept. 2000, at New Delhi. "Greetings Post" comprises of a card with envelope with pre printed postage stamp upon it. The "Greetings Post" envelope contains multicolored stamp with simulated perforation, which is a miniature replica of the design that appear upon the enclosure card & the text message printed in blue color on it. The Logo of India Post put on the flap of Greeting Card with word "Shubh Kamnayen" in Hindi & “Greetings" in English. The first series of such "Greetings Post Envelopes" are issued on the occasion of Happy Diwali, there are 32 designs were printed. Look here some beautiful images of "Imprinted Greetings Post Stamps."
Contributed By - Er.H.K.Jain, Mandla (M.P.)
§ Recent Indian Issues
§ In The News
§ Beginners’ Section
§ Specialized Section
§ Reader’s Right
§ New Issues from Other Countries
§ The Lighter Side
§ Blogs & Websites on Philately
§ Editor’s Mail box
§ Promotional Section
§ Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters
Recent Indian Issues
· 17 September 2008 Sir Pitti Theagarayar, Dr. T.M. Nair, Dr. C Natesan
· 7 October 2008 Festivals of India – 3 x 500 P + M/s
New Meghdoot Post cards
Narmada Fertilizers, Gujarati
Rudra Shiva, Tala, Chhattisgarh, Hindi
AIDS, 4 Gujarati 1 Kannada
Inland Letter
Disaster Management advertisement in Assamese & Kannada
Special Cover – Postmark
Oct 2: Cuttack, Philatelic ExhibitionOct 2: Tiruchirappalli, T V Ramasubba Iyer birth centenary
India Post released set of 3 stamps and a Miniature sheet on October 7, 2008 on Festivals of India. The stamps in the denomination of Rs 5 feature Dussehra Festival of Mysore, Durga Puja Festival of Kolkata, and Deepavali Festival.
In The News
A new philatelic journal by India Post
A new Quarterly Philatelic Journal PHILA POST has recently been released by India Post (jointly with PCI) on 13 October celebrating Philately Day at New Delhi.. Linda Brady – Hawke is the Executive Editor and others in the Editorial Board are Manju Kumar, Director (Philately), Ranjit Kumar, Director (Global Business) & Dr. R.S. Gandhi, Mr. Manik Jain, Mr. Maiank Kathiara and Mr. G. Bhaskar from PCI. It is published by L.B.Associates Pvt. Ltd. for India Post. It will be available at all Philatelic Bureaus of the country.
Gold Coins also available in Indian Post Offices
Indian Post Offices have started selling 24 carat gold coins from October 15, 2008. The sale will be available in over 100 India Post outlets in Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat in the pilot phase. The gold coins are in the popular denomination of half gram, one gram, 5 grams and 8 grams. The prices of these coins will be competitive based on the prevailing prices of gold.
India Post has launched this pioneering venture in association with World Gold Council and Reliance Money. World Gold Council will help market the Swiss Medallions supplied by Reliance Money, making it available to Indian consumers through Post offices in a convenient and cost effective manner. The gold coins will be packed in a sealed cover with the certification from Valcambi, Switzerland. It has the benefits like internationally recognized certification, low risk of duplication, quality packaging, product standardization, numbering and assayer certificate.
Gold is the latest addition to a range of retail activity that India Post has already taken up. India Post has been selling various products under Retail Post category. Post Office sells UPSC applications and university applications, it retails Darjeeling Tea in West Bengal, it markets Aloe Vera products in Gujarat and it takes orders for distribution of Prasadams of various temples in Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
Electronic Transmission of Money Order
India Post has started electronic transmission of Money Order from October 10, 2008 that will make remittance much faster. Electronic Money Order would also provide more efficient and improved quality of service to customers. These will come without any extra cost to the customer. To begin with, around 2500 Post Offices all over the country have switched over to electronic transmission of money orders. Electronic Money Order will have similar tariff and limits of remittance as in the case of ordinary money order.
Spanish Post Continues to Back Children’s Smile Project
More than 22,600 children in hospital have benefitted from a scheme adopted by Correos, the Spanish postal operator and developed in collaboration with "Clowns without Borders" and other non-profit organizations. For the tenth consecutive year, a collaboration agreement has been helping hospitalized children by making them smile! The scheme is also aimed at disabled children or children living in jail with their mothers.The fundamental objective of the scheme "SONRISAS A LOS NIÑOS” (Smiles for the children) is to help children recover using laughter and humor - a complementary therapy to improve mental well-being, known to speed the recovery processes. Within the framework of this tenth edition, 20 children’s parties are planned in hospitals across Spain and other non hospitable centers of welcome for immigrants, special needs centers and penitentiary centers, aimed at improving of the quality of life of children. This tenth year will see an increase in activities to extend the benefits of the program to all the children need who it. Nine will be carried out in hospitals, six in Centers of Special Education, two in penitentiary establishments, and a further two in immigration centers. In addition, 15 training centers are to be established for the volunteers and educators of the collaborating organizations and for the cleaning personnel at the centers. The centers will help build experience and qualifications designed to develop new playful-educative activities for those coming into contact with the children. Similar activities are going on at Honduras in Central America which is largely Spanish-speaking area.
- Hellmail
Recent stamp exhibitions
KARLIPHILEX -2008
– Reported by M.Jagannath, Bangalore
Karnataka Philatelic Society (KPS) started in the year 1975 with 20 members and it is 33 years old society and now with 380 life members, had organized a three-day exhibition, “Karphilex”, from October 17 to 19 at Basava Bhavan. “Karphilex” is being organized to raise awareness about philately and to encourage the hobby, especially among youth. “Karphilex”, had been featured over 150 frames on different themes from Sixty participants, 40 juniors (below the age of 18) and 20 senior members of KPS had taken part in the exhibition. “The junior class was divided into sub groups from 10 to 12, 13 to 15 and 16 to 18. On the first day of the exhibition, Smt. Karuna Pillai Post master General (BD) Karnataka Postal Circle, Bangalore was the chief guest, and released a special cover with a special cancellation of a folk instrument of North Karnataka “Chowdike”. Cancellation had been in the shape of the instrument, “Chowdike”. This cancellation is to popularize the folk art of Karnataka.
Many senior and amateur philatelists, students and curious gazers gathered on the second day of “Karphilex 2008” and attended Interactive Session (for Philatelist).On the third day and last day of “Karphilex 2008” a special day for the youth philatelists was organized. All the participants of Karphilex 2008 participated in written Quiz Contest and Handwriting contest. And this time the new rules were added that all the junior exhibits should prepared by themselves with their own hand writing this was 99 % successful and the main intersection by our president Dr R G Sanogram of this is to promote philately and to encourage the hobby.The chief guest for valedictory function Shri. M.P Rajan distributed the Prizes for the participants.
EIPEX - 2008, Bhubaneswar
A Philatelic Exhibition EIPEX-2008 is going to be organized by Eastern India Philatelists Association at the Jayadev Bhawan, Unit-II, Bhubaneswar on 25th and 26th October, 2008 to commemorate the 10 year of foundation of EIPA with active support of the Department of Posts. The exhibition will be a non-competitive one and is limited to the members of EIPA only. Two special covers will be released on the occasion depicting 'Peace' & 'Unity in Diverity' theme with beautiful cancellation.
To celebrate Philately Day on 13 October a painting competition for school children was organized by Chandigarh Postal Division in the GPO. The subject was India of my Dreams. About 70 children participated. The competition was judged by Mr. U.D. Gauttem S.P. HQ Chandigarh Division Mr. Rakesh Walia Philatelist & Mr. G.S.Rana, Post Master.
Stamp Exhibition in Chandigarh
A one frame exhibit competition of stamp Exhibition was inaugurated by The Mayor and The Chief Postmaster General of Chandigarh and Panjab Circle at the GPO on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti .. There were 24 competents on various themes namely Gandhi Ji, Music, First Flight Covers, Flowers, Music, Collection of Greeting Cards by the Department of Posts, Freedom fighters, Sikhism, Portuguese India etc . A slide Show on stamps of Mahatma Gandhi was also put up by Mr. Rakesh Walia and Rakesh Khurana .
Philatelic Exhibition in Cuttack
Orissa Philatelic Association organized jointly one exhibition with Kalinga Philatelic Society and Utkal Philatelists and Numismatist Association on 2-10-2008 at Philatelic Bureau ,Cuttack GPO. Major General Mr.B.P.Das AVSM (rtd) inagurated the exhibition and Mrs M. Mishra DPS released the special cover. Mr.Sahadev Sahoo was the guest of honor. One special cover was released depicting the Star named after Gandhi "Celestial Divine Memorial" and the cancellation depicting people with inscription "Sabko sanmati De Bhagawan". The four different lebels were released. Interested collectors may contact : Secretary, Orissa Philatelic Association, Keonjhar Colony, Kanika Chhak,Cuttack-753008, E-mail: oriphil@gmail.com Ph:09861032965
THRISSURPEX-2008
A Philatelic Exhibition, THRISSURPEX-2008 is going to be organized by Philatelic Club Thrissur, as part of their 30 year celebrations at Pandy Samooha Madhom from November 21 to 23. A special postmark on Mahatma Gandhi theme will be given.
NUPHIL 2008
An exhibition NUPHIL 2008 of Stamps and Coins is going to be organized by Mysore Philatelics & Mysore Numismatics at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry, Mysore
from October 31 to November 2.A special cover is proposed to be issued on 'Somanathapur Temple'& Special postmark on - 25 cash Mysore coin of
Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar 1799-1868
Rare Stamps from India & Indian States (International Market Price)
The India SGO150d 1948 10r. Purple-brown and lake increased from £14,000 to £25,000, an increase of 79% in one year.
I.C.S. CHAMBA 1887 SG: 1a/17a -- TYPE: UNUSED - Price: £32,500.00
I.C.S. GWALIOR 1895 SG: O10a - TYPE: OFFICIAL-M - Price: £2,750.00
I.C.S. FARIDKOT 1887 SG: O10b -- TYPE: OFFICIAL-M - Price: £3,000.00
I.C.S. JIND 1885 SG: 6/a -- TYPE: UNUSED - Price: £15,000.00
Beginners’ section
How to spot a fake stamp
Don’t fake it, how to know an original stamp from a counterfeit one. Postage stamps are one of the most collected items in the world. However, they are also considered as the most faked regummed and counterfeited items. The following are basic tips and advice to know which is fake and which is not. Gum or re-gummed, that is the question. First things first, what does it mean when a stamp is said to have been regummed?
A regummed stamp basically means that the stamp no longer contains gum in its one hundred percent original content. A gum is said to have been original when the gum is produced from the official postal authority of a country. The instance a particular individual has applied his own gum blend to the stamp’s back is the instance wherein the stamp is considered as officially regummed.
Why is regumming done?
Regumming is made to stamps to make it appear better and enhanced, therefore further increasing the stamp’s value. Fraud occurs when a particular collector buys a stamp and was informed that the stamp has an original gum, but is really a re-gummed one.
How to know ?
The most easy and convenient way to detect which gum is original and which is counterfeit is by simply comparing an original gum from a regummed one. Try to take note of the following-
A regummed stamp has a textured and dull appearance with a little inconsistency in the thickness of the gum or when it is reflected in the light. Also, there are stamps that have been regummed and appear to have a surface that is glossy. The same appearance holds with stamps that are imperforated.
A stamp that contains a watermark can be easily seen on a stamp that has been regummed. Meanwhile, a stamp that was originally gummed has a watermark that could only be seen when the stamp is dipped in a tray of watermark using fluid for watermark. In the absence of such a fluid, the watermark in an original gum could also be seen when the stamp is put up to a light that is very strong. Observe, try to notice if the watermark seems to have been impressed in the gum. If so, start to be suspicious.
Another tip is that a stamp that has been regummed will most likely curl if it is placed down with its face on the hand’s palm. A stamp that has been originally gummed will not do that. One sure sign that a stamp has been regummed is to check on the stamps tips. If the perforation feels sharp, it surely has been regummed. Usually, an originally gummed stamp will feel soft. Fortunately or unfortunately, a good regummer still has a way to fake it. What he usually does is that he will try to file patiently down the tips of the perf in order to make them soft. The only way to effectively differentiate this is via looking through them under a strong magnifying glass. Another clue to know a regum from an original is to check and see if the gum extends well into the holes of the perforation. This situation never occurs in an original because the perforation is done after applying the gum. However, a regummer still has a way to fake it via filing out the perforated holes in order to eliminate any gum that are in excess. But most likely, they will almost always miss a spot.
Stamps that are reperforated
Believe it or not, these types of stamps are prevalent than most collectors think. This basically means that a perforation has been done privately by an individual and not officially. Why do individuals do it then? This is done in order to increase the stamp’s value. Stamps that were perforated officially have holes that are shaped in oval form and are cut less cleanly than perforations done privately. When seen closely, perforations that are originally done have little paper tufts that extend to the holes. All in all, stamp collecting – contrary to popular belief – is a challenging and an adventurous hobby. It requires diligence, patience, perseverance and a lot of passion. Its various joys and adventurous experiences depend on you how seriously you take it and go through its deep research.
Shri Ram has a special significance in Hindu Culture. He is worshipped as God in India and by all Hindus, living in different parts of the world. His ideals play a model role in Indian Culture and so he is also called Mariyada Purushottam Ram. Diwali – ‘The festival of Lights’ is being celebrated in our country since time immemorial to welcome God Ram’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years exile in jungle and his coronation as king of Ayodhya. “Jai Ram Ji Ki” is also a way of greeting in some Northern Parts of India. Dr. Stayendra Kumar Agrawal has presented many comprehensive articles on various subjects with the depth of research on material available on a specific theme. On the occasion of Deepawali, Here is another one by Dr. Agrawal . - EditorJAI RAM JI KI
It is an ancient Indian tale of devotion, separation, and reunion. It is a story almost as old as civilization itself. It is an expression of the eternal battle between good and evil, ranging from short stories to lengthy epics. Combining elements of religion, romance, myth, magic, action, adventure, fantasy, and a fascination cast of characters including gods, goddesses, semi-divine humans, amazing monkeys, and powerful ogres, the story of Ram’s love for Sita and her abduction by Ravana, king of the ores, has withstood the rest of time and nationality. For over two thousand years, the story has captured the imagination of peoples from India to Iran, Tibet to Thailand, Cambodia to China, Japan to Java, Malaysia to Myanmar, and Sri Lanka to Siberia. In journeys beyond the geography of its setting and origin, it was even adapted by other religions in the process; local cultures have transformed Ramayana – more than any other story in the world – into a rich source of inspiration for the arts in a great variety of literary traditions, narrative expressions, artistic manifestations, and performance styles. Saga Valmiki is honored on a stamp of India Scott 523 depicting Maharishi Valmiki with Ramayan, Ram, Sita and Laxaman.
But after Valmiki’s Ramayana the most important work on Ram is that of 15th century Ramcharitmanas written by Tulsidas in Awadhi, a dialect of Hindi which is also known as Tulsi-krita Ramayana, or "The Ramayana of Tulsidas". The Rāmacaritamānas consists of seven books, of which the first two, entitled Childhood and Ayodhya, make up more than half the work. The work is composed in quatrains called chaupais, broken by dohas or couplets, with an occasional sortha and chhand, the latter being a hurried metre of many rhymes and alliterations.
The poem revisits Ramayana of Valmiki, but is not a mere retelling of the Sanskrit epic. Where Valmiki has condensed the story, Tulsidas has expanded, and, conversely, wherever the elder poet has lingered longest, there his successor has condensed. It had a profound influence on the traditions of Hinduism in northern India being largely responsible for the replacement of the cult of Krishna by the cult of Ram .The poem is not seen as just a literary monument, it serves as an integral part of Hinduism, and is held in such reverence that the mere reading or hearing of it, or certain passages of it, is believed by the Hindus to free them from sin and shower blessings upon the reader or listener.
Kamban, Tulsidas, Nirala and Ramcharitmanas are also honoured on Indian stamps Scott 431, 238, 740and 660 respectively.
Few scenes from these Ramayans also became subjects for many stamp issues of respective countries. “Under water dual between Hanuman and Matsya Kanya “ and “Hanuman in the battle field “ respectively on , Laos Scott C76 and C41.Scenes from Ramakien is also depicted on Laos Scott 1633-36.” and on a beautiful S/s of Thailand, Scott 2180-83 issued to mark Thaipex 2005 Stmp Exhibition. “Ram, Sita and Marich as Golden Deer”, Indonesia Scott 804, Thai version of this Golden Deer event is also depicted on an issue of Thailand Scott 1686.
Festivals of Lord Rama
Rama's day and time of birth, as well as marriage to Sita are celebrated by Hindus across the world as Ramnavami. It falls on the ninth day of a Hindu lunar year, or Chaitra Masa.
Every year for at least ten days, Hindus across many parts of India celebrate the Dussehra festival. It is a universally acknowledged fact that the celebration of Dussehra is void without Ramlila. During this time episodes from Ramayana are performed, culminating in the death of Ravana and the burring of huge ogre effigies to symbolist the victory of good over evil. The Ram Lila is publicly performed in many villages, towns and cities in India. Ramlila, the enactment of the story of Lord Ram is believed to have been started by great saint Tulsidas. His Ramcharitmanas, till today forms the basis of Ramlila performances. Ramlila is associated with the Vijayadashmi celebrations, in late September and early October.
The most famous of all is the Ramnagar Ramlilia of Varanasi. Started by the erstwhile Maharaja of Kashi in the most traditional style. The performances lasting for 31 days are marked by detailed dialogues and impressive enactments. Hundreds of sadhus called 'ramayanis' come to Ramanagar to watch and recite the epic.
Permanent structures are built and spaces designated to represent the main locales of the story i.e. Ashok Vatika, Janakpuri, Panchvati, Lanka etc., transforming the whole township into a vast Ramlila ground. The audience moves along with the performers with every episode to the next locale. To maintain the austere character of the Ramlila, electric lights, mikes and loudspeakers are not used, though the average audience is rarely less than ten thousand.
It is usually staged by amateur actors drawn from the same social grouping as the audience. There is often a singer (occasionally a priest) in the sidelines who recites relevant verses from the Ramayana during scene-changes or at moments of dramatic tension. These recitations and the narrative of the play are usually based on Gosvami Tulsidasas ' version of the Ramayana, in the Awadhi language. The dialog is improvised, and often responsive to audience reactions. Dhol drummers and other musicians participate. The atmosphere is usually festive and free, with the audience whistling and commenting as the story proceeds. Highly artistic masks are used in the ‘Ramlila’ which are generally made of papier-mâché, gilded copper and zari work. India Post issued a stamp Scott 605 depicting Mask of Ravan of Ramnagar Ramlila. Indo-Soviet joint issue of 1990 featured a scene from Ramlila Scott 1317.
The Ramlila is staged in most countries that with Hindu populations that have origins in Northern India, Central India, Nepal or Pakistan. Outside the Indian subcontinent, this includes Fiji, Mauritius, South Africa, Guyana, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Great Britain, the United States, and Australia. Some Asian cultures have similar drama traditions based on the Ramayana, for instance the Phra Lak Phra Lam (Lak and Lam are the Laotian names for Lakshman and Ram, respectively) folk play of Laos and northeastern Thailand. Thai Post issued beautiful masks of Ramayana characters on its 1975 (Scott 737-740) depicting Ravan, Kumbhkarna, Ram and Hanuman and on 1981 (Scott 962-965) depicting Angad, Marich, Sugriv and Indrajeet. Laos also issued a set of Ramayana masks in 1997 (Scott 1336-1340).
Ram’s return to Ayodhya and his coronation are celebrated as Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights. This is the most important and popular festival in India and for Hindus across the world. In Malaysia, Diwali is known as Hari Deepavali, and is celebrated during the seventh month of the Hindu solar calendar. It is a federal public holiday. In many respects it resembles the traditions followed in the Indian subcontinent. In Nepal, Diwali is known as Tihar and celebrated during the October/November period. In Trinidad and Tobago, Diwali is marked as a special occasion and celebrated with a lot of fanfare. It is observed as a national holiday in this part of the world and some ministers of the Government also take part in the celebrations publicly. Deepawali is celebrated as one of the Public holiday in Singapore. Several streets including Serangoon Street is lit up by the government and has a festive outlook and shops declare Diwali mega sales. It is also a National Holiday in Fiji and Mauritius. In Kenya where over 60,000 Hindus reside, Deepavali is an optional holiday for the Hindu community.Many Postal administrations of the world issued stamps to commemorate this occasion. Depicted here are Singapore Scott1028 and Guyana Scott 245.
India Post is also issuing regularly from year 2000 a number of beautiful Greeting Cards for this occasion with pre-paid postage envelopes. The stamp designs on the envelope are an exact replica of the cards with word INDIA and denominations with simulated perforations. Every year scholars from different countries get together for the International Ramayana Conference (IRC). 
The conference includes presentations on various themes and workshops based on Ramayana. The IRC was held in India three times, two times in Thailand and one time each in Canada, Nepal, Mauritius, Surinam, Belgium, Indonesia, the Netherlands, China, Trinidad & Tobago and the US. To mark this occasion many Special Postmarks were issued. Indonesia issued a set of 2 stamps (Scott 804-5) depicting Ram, Sita and Golden deer and Ram with Bow in 1971 to honor this International conference.
Ram in Art
Ramayana-The tales of Ram remained a very popular theme in all types of art. Innumerable artisans have carried the tradition of Ramayan; the makers of dolls, painters, puppeteers, sculptors, actors and performing artists.
In India, during Mughal period paintings based on Ramayana tales were very popular. Few are also available on stamps and Indian Pre-paid postage envelopes. Yaman issued a Mughal painting of Ram, Laxaman and Shiva on its 1967 issue. India 2000 issue (Scott 1850) based on Madhubani paintings also depicted duel of Bali and Sugriv.
Ramayana gave birth to the Cambodian version the Reamker. Scenes of the Reamker is painted on the walls of the Royal Palace in Khmer style, and its predecessor is carved into the walls of Angkor Wat and Banteay Srei temples. It is considered as an integral part of Cambodia Culture. Angkor Wat, probably the world’s largest religious monument ever constructed, built in the 12th century in Cambodia It is a renowned Hindu temple complex famous for having the longest running bas-relief (sculpture in which the design projects slightly from a flat background, but without any part being totally detached from the background) in the world. Beautifully crafted, many of the carvings were once painted and gilded. They decorate the 2-m high, galleried walls having roofed walkways that run along the inside of the protective moat, just outside of the temple complex itself. The most impressive reliefs are Sita's fire ordeal, Ram’s return to Lanka, killing of Kabandha, Valin, Viradha etc One of the bas relief is available on Cambodia Scott 168.
Beautiful Statues of Ramayana characters can also be found around the Emerald Buddha temple of Bangkok and available on a set of 4 stamps Scott 1972-75 of Thailand.
Ramayan has a pride of place in all types of performing art through out the world. The south Indian Kathakali is a dance drama that dates from the 17th century. It is based on one of the oldest traditions of stage performance, the Kutiyattam, a dance drama dating from the first century .The dramas recreate episodes from the ancient epic poems about the life of Ram. India issued many stamps depicting Katakali dances e.g. Scott695, 809 and 1952.
Original in the form of dance drama, the Reamker held its role as an integral part of Cambodian culture since the Longvek era. Ballet dancers are portrayed on a set of Cambodian stamps Scott 178-82. Indonesian Ramayana dancers in the role of Jatau, Hanuman, Ravan, Sita and Ram are also issued by Indonesian post in 1962 (Scott 544-49).
The Laotian version of Ramayana, called “Palak Palang,” is the most favorite theme of the dancers of Laos. The National School for Music and Dance, in this communist country, teaches the Ramayana ballet in the Laotian style. A beautiful set of stamps based on scenes of Lanka kand from Laotian Royal Ballet is issued by Laos Scott 184-89. Another remarkable issue is 1955 Scott C14-19 also featuring scenes from Ramayana Ballet have credit of being first issue on Ramayana theme.
Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppet) in Central Java is probably one of the oldest continuous traditions of storytelling in the world. Wayang is well integrated in Javanese society, and it is considered to be a highlight of Javanese culture. Wayang is a Javanese word meaning "shadow" or "ghost" and is a theatrical performance of living actors (wayang orang), three dimensional puppets (wayang golek) or shadow images projected before a backlit screen (wayang kulit). The wayang kulit use two-dimensional puppets chiseled by hand of buffalo or goat parchment; like paper dolls, but with arms that swivel. A wayang kulit puppet is a stylized exaggeration of a human shape. Most of the stories performed in the shadow puppet shows are from Indian epics but they were transformed by generations of Javanese tellers.
The dalang (puppeteer) manipulates the puppets, sings and taps out signals to the orchestra. He also speaks the parts for all characters; he must be able to render the shy sweetness in the voice of a princess, the spiteful whine of a lackey and the righteous but controlled anger of a noble hero.
In few countries of the world, theatre is as popular a mass media as in Malaysia and Indonesia.Wayang Wong is the theatrical live show of the Ramayana; whereas Wayang Kulit is shadow puppet show. SEA is rich in puppet theatre; leather puppet, dolls, rod, shadow etc. Every form has thrived from Ramayana themes.
In Thailand, there were also shadow puppet plays based on the Ramayana epic. The Ramayana puppets were cut from leather and painted colorfully for performances. These puppets (hnang) were similar to marionettes in their movements but they were controlled by sticks rather than string. Leather puppet is depicted on an issue of Thailand Scott 1825.
Reader’s Right
Editor’s note- The aim of this stamp newsletter is to provide instant information and facts on philately to the readers and not to hurt anyone’s feelings. A new column Reader’s Right has been started from April issue. Readers may express their views, anguish and resentment through this column on philately. The platform is not used for any vested interest to cause derogatory to philately. When writing your views be sure that it should be related to philately only. It should not be used to express personal feelings between persons or groups in any manner. Please send your postal address and Ph. No. and if possible a photo too when writing on any controversial issue.
Department of Post is selling the Philately Day Miniature Sheet at Rs.20/- instead of Rs.15/- which is very clearly mentioned on the sheet itself. It is very bad on the part of philately. Philatelists all over India are against it. Here is a reaction….
Ilyas Patel, Ahmadabad
I have learnt about this nasty business of additional pricing of Philately Day MS the day on which it was issued. This issue has cropped up again and philatelists are again on the receiving end. Instead of developing healthy relationship with the philatelists, this is another bolt from blue from DOP forgetting about the unresolved issues. I personally believe that instead of investing in such differential priced MS all the philatelists must unite and boycott it at once. Let it be remained in the stock of the DOP. Or otherwise, the DOP must come out with a clarification that when affixed it will counted for Rs 20/- only. But this is the rarest of the rare event looking to the rude behavior of the DOP so far. Looking to the proceeding, it seems that there is an organized gang working in the DOP to take very adventurous decisions to hurt the sentiments of philatelists as well as to destroy the philatelic business of the DOP. The truth is only known by the God itself.I hope and believe that its time to unite and work together to lodge out protest.
Rakesh Walia, Chandigarh
It is quite surprising the miniature sheet issued on then occasion of Philately Day which is being sold by all the philatelic bureaus for Rs 20/ where as the MRP mentioned on the stamp is RS 15 .The Same is the case of Miniature sheet issued on 2010 Commonwealth Games. The invoice sent by The Nasik Press mentions the rate of the Miniature sheet as Rs. 20/ each.
Mansoor B., Mangalore
India Post should have a separate web-master to keep in touch with philatelic matters and update the same. Recently, they have changed their logo (I still think the old one looked better). It is not enough, changing the logo but they have to change their mindset. It seems that the India Post takes Philatelists as a bunch of fools who will silently take whatever they offer and whenever they want.
Regarding non-availability of stamps and FDC on the date of release, I wonder, if there is poor situation at Delhi Bureau, then what about the same in all other Bureaus in different parts of India? The Festival, Youth Games and the Philately Day stamps / MS / FDC are still not available at Mangalore Bureau till date. In this situation what is the meaning of a FDC, I suggest the Postal department should rename it as FMC (First Month Cover) so that we can send it later whenever the same is available at our Bureau.
Their Officers speak of promotion of philately at functions conducted on Philately Day etc., but forget about it the next day. The Philatelists lack a central body, an association of Clubs who will sincerely air our views and take steps to solve the problems.
Sorry, we are not that bad
14 –16 Oct 2008, our Kolkata Philatelic Bureau organized an (philatelic?) exhibition to celebrate “Postal Week” in the context of “World Post Day- 9 Oct “. It’s just, pathetic reflection of the educational level of the organizers about philately. It is now a normal ‘All India’ trend for the Department of Post to organize so-called philatelic exhibition to spend the allocation of fund (most exhibitions are usually organized during last month of the financial year) and to prepare a file to get departmental promotion for some non-sense people with no philatelic knowledge.
The recently concluded Kolkata show is perhaps the height of every thing.
Who did participated and with what collection and standard?
A collection from North Bengal on: 1. Stamps of Indian Princely States, 2. Mahatma Gandhi and 3.Terminology used in Philately. Yes, all are great themes, but I will be ever grateful if the organizers kindly explain, how they relate the above themes with post-office or postal week? Court –fee stamps and very commonly used states stamps do no hold any meaning for this type of exhibition.
In the whole exhibition only five frame collection of Mr. Basudev Ganguly, on” Calcutta Pin Code ‘” was relevant.
The quality and subject was totally missing. Job done file closed. The departmental staffs are only to stay maximum for three years in a department specified for philatelic promotion, so who bothers “ You asked me to organize an exhibition, I have done my duty, what you expect more from me?” But, Sir we the philatelists expect much more from the department, we expect, you, the people from the department to be educated enough not only to sell your product to some specific dealers but to promote philately as a whole. To know who are the good collectors, from whom one can learn something and in the process promote philately, what are good collections and what are not to be shown, you must know who is collecting what, a simple data base, you must know it Sir.
A lot of things could have been presented: Role of Post office and its significance in this changing world.
As a representative of the philatelic community from Kolkata and Bengal, as a whole, I beg your pardon on behalf of the organizers to both the viewers and the reporters of leading newspapers that what you all viewed are not the real state of philately in Bengal, we are much, much better. I personally know number of extremely good, international level collections on post office and postal communication at Kolkata only. It’s our bad luck that we missed all the prize collections due to reluctance of the organizers.
Its my suggestion to the Department of Post of Kolkata, to please consult right people in organizing this type of exhibitions, if you can’t, we are there to organize the same with very best collections from the leaders not from one exhibition collectors.
An interesting news to end up with, “we did planned for a special cover on this occasion but we can not find a sponsor’, a concluding comment from a high level departmental officer.
Thanks for reading, God Bless.
Dear Mrs. Jyoti,
Best regards
Agentina
27 September 2008 Argentina National Flower Festival (Scented stamps) – 2 S/s of 5 P each
Canada
1 October 2008 – Birds – 4 x 52 c
6 October 2008 Mental Health -10c
1 November 2008 Christmas – 4 Stamps
Czech Republic
15 October 2008 Handicraft – 10KC
5 November 2008 Works of Art on stamps – 2 x 23 KC + S/s – 30 KC
Gibraltar
2 November 2008 Christmas – set of 6 stamps
2 November 2008 The Gibraltar Regiment – Set of 10 Stamps
Great Britain
14 October 2008 Women of Distinction -1st, 48p, 50p, 56p, 81p & 72p
Hungary
25 September 2008 Synagogues in Hungary - 200 ft & 450 ft
Korea
1 October 2008 5oth anniversary of Korea –Thailand Diplomatic Relations -2 x 250 W
1 October 2008 centenary of the Salvation Army Korea Territory 250 W
Malaysia
9 0ctober 2008 Flowers
New Zealand
1 October 2008 Christmas 2008 – 2 x 50c, $1.00, $1.50, $2.00, $2.50
Poland
15 September 2008 450 years of the Polish Post – 3 x 1.45 zt
24 September 2008 Presidents of the Republic of Poland in Exile – 6 x 1.45 zt
Ukraine
1 October 2008 Swedish Military & Political Unions of XII to XIII Centuries – 1 UAH 3 October 2008 XI National Philatelic Exhibition in Ukraine - 1 UAH
The Lighter Side
A Tale of Commemorative Stamp
- M. Jagannath , Bangalore
Oh! Philatelist if you spare a few seconds and read this you come to now the tale of woe; and my pent up feelings, untold ever. Let me tell my tale. Born in famous Nasik Press packed and dispatched to Philatelic Bureau’s find my way to the post office where am sold for petty price. Cruel are many who purchase me unlike you come and purchase me.. Oh! Dear philatelist and my kind hearted friends few kiss me before licking me and few stick me letters on parcels, packets, book posts and cards, by using paste or gum, There ends not my delicate life hi! Friends they deflower and defile my Face and bosom tattoo and proudly name it ‘defacing’ smitten with shame I travel across by mail car or by mail van as per address world throughout much more is in store for me from that thankless addressee. Defaced stamp has no value who will care a deflowered one, some will torn me in to pieces and consigned to flames totally I end up lives as mortals all. Dear friends if I go in to the hands of philatelists, I am pure and safe for three value virginity mines and offer an abode in album where I shine with sister’s mine. I enjoy the pristine purity live I there adored and admired ever and ever thou do protect and shelter me taking me home on maiden day Oh! Dear philatelist this is all my wish and prayer may the tribe grow flourishingly and hail the hobby philately.
Postman Caught for……
A Dorset postman has been given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 costs after admitting stealing and wearing women’s underwear. Royal Mail investigators suspected had been stealing items from packages he was meant to deliver, but got the shock of their lives when police strip-searched him and discovered he was wearing a woman’s thong, an item that had been planted amongst his deliveries to catch him out. Matthew Furness, 35, who is presently going through a divorce, pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing a packet belonging to the Royal Mail. He told the court he realized he had a 'fetish problem' and felt he could now talk about it now it was out in the open.
Do you know?
- In Australia's early days, stamps were issued by individual colonies. The first stamp issued in Australia came from New South Wales in 1850. The one penny stamp which showed the seal of the colony is worth around $5000 in mint condition. The Kangaroo and Map series, first issued in 1913, were the first real Australian stamps. A whole range of stamps bearing this design was issued, valued from half a penny to £2 (about $4 in today's money). A mint copy of the £2 Kangaroo and Map could be worth as much as $4000 today.
- Before stamps were invented, the person who received the letter was charged by the number of pages, and also by the distance the letter had travelled. An Englishman called Rowland Hill came up with the idea of pre-paying for postage with 'postage stamps'. Today stamps just seem like common sense, but the Postmaster General at the time complained, 'Of all the wild schemes I have ever heard of, this is the most extraordinary'! However, Hill's idea was adopted and other countries soon started to issue stamps.
- The first Commonwealth Country to issue a stamp specifically for postage on Christmas greetings cards was Australia in 1957. The first stamps issued specifically for postage on Christmas greeting cards appeared in Austria in December 1937.
Also try this….
Virtual Magnifying Glass. This is a very useful program for anybody wanting to zoom in on images of Stamps found either on their computer or while surfing on the internet. It is a free open source cross platform magnifying tool. It is simple, easy to use and can be customized. t has resizable and draggable window and has adjustable magnification power settings. Unlike most similar programmes, it does not open a separate window for the magnification but instead puts a movable magnifying glass on the screen. It can be downloaded from http://magnifier.sourceforge.net/
- K.RAMARATHNAM, Chennai Email: manhtar@vsnl.com
Blogs & Websites on Philately
www.stampsofindia.com – This is the website of India with complete information on Indian stamps.
www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com – This is the e – Stamp Club Blog to bring philatelists together on blogosphere and share views with each other.
www.newstamps.blogspot.com - This is a beautiful blog by an Indian philatelist with lot of information on New Issues of stamps released all over the world.
www.philatelicnews.blogspot.com – This blog is full of information from the field of philately.
www.indianstampghar.com – It’s a good Blog by with daily updates on Philately.
www.stampbooks.blogspot.com – it’s a beautiful Blog on stamps of Malaysia.
Editor’s Mail Box
Vijayrathnam Vijay Kumar, Canada
I have for the first time read your Oct, 2008 issue of the Rainbow Stamp News, with great expectation. I have recently started collecting Indian stamps and fdcs. I collect worldwide stamps and fdcs . I have the collection of the entire FDC from 1971 of Canada of all description (single, pairs, blocks, combination and all four corners of Inscription blocks) and should commence collecting verities. I wanted to establish a standing order with Indian postal service and wasn't very successful About Rainbow Stamp New, I really enjoyed reading them.
Promotional section
ITS Instant Auction Sale – Oct. 2008
Last Date: 8 November 2008
Some Lots can be viewed at http://www.flickr.com/photos/its_offers
INDIAN THEMATIC SOCIETYMIG # 3464, PHASE TWO, DUGRI ROAD, LUDHIANA - 141 013. INDIATelfax: + 91 - 161 - 2521244 Mobile: +91 98728 51244Email: indianthematicsociety@gmail.com OR surajjaitly@hotmail.com
Vadophil Auction No. 6
Last date for Bidding: 10 November 2008 For details contact : trs_shah@.rediffmail.com or vadophil@indianphilatey.net
David Feldman October 2-7, 2008 Auctions: Strong Levels and Spirited Competition
There is an old adage, "Thrones may crumble and nations may perish, but the postage stamp endures forever." The results of the week-long series of auctions held in Geneva, Switzerland by David Feldman SA proved the point. Just one typical example: the Austria First Issue 9 kreuzer "missing 9" printing variety, estimated at 2'000 Euros, realized 23,900 (all prices given include buyer's fees and commission).Strong levels for nice classics prevailed in the classic Spain and Great Britain Line-Engraved. Stamps and covers of Sweden, particularly scarce town cancels, often brought multiples of the estimates to some of the 70 bidders gathered in a simultaneous bidding room in Stockholm. The first day cover of the 1855 4 skilling value, one of two known, estimated at 80'000 Euros, soared to 262'900 and set the tenor for other Skilling issue covers throughout the auction.From Afghanistan to Zanzibar, from Polar to Olympics, from elusive varieties and postal history to enormous collections and large lots, this David Feldman auction series presented a true cross-section of world philately - as well of course, as the semi-annual auction of "Rarities of the World."“Rarities of the World:” over 50 persons present in the auction room, including leading dealers and collectors from Italy, England, France and Switzerland, plus additional internet and telephone bidders (at times, five different telephones were in use) and agents competed for 88 lots. Two of the highlights:From the extensive China section, the famous "Countess Caroline" cover, with its attractive franking consisting of a block of nine of the 5 Candarins "Large Dragon" issue, opened at 750'000 Euros and proceeded majestically to a final price of 1'165'125 - a new world record for any Asia cover, and 24 years after David Feldman first set a world record for this same world philatelic gem.Among the "crown jewels" of Russian philately, the unique cover considered the greatest item of Imperial Russian philately, franked by a single 10 kopeck imperforate of 1857 and a strip of three of the second issue 30 kopecks of 1858, addressed to the Austrian Embassy at St. Petersburg, came up for bidding. Opening at 750'000 Euros, it was fought over by two telephone bidders and one room bidder, and brought a gasp when the price reached 1 million Euros - soon to be eclipsed by its final realization of 1'314'500 - a new world record for Russia, and among the highest prices ever paid for a philatelic item at public auction.This series of auctions showed the growing importance of internet bidders, as over 140 different bidders competed for over half of the lots in the auctions, and were successful on 20% of those, for a total of nearly 700'000 Euros. In addition, the unique direct internet bidding system operated by the company made possible the remote auction room in Stockholm. That accounted for the lion's share of the successful bids for the Sweden section, bringing the total internet sales alone to over one million Euros.We invite you to check the prices realized lists posted on our web site, http://www.davidfeldman.com/ together with the auction catalogues for all results.David Feldman SA is starting to prepare the next series of auctions, to be held in the Spring of 2009. Contact us at +41 22 727 0777 or through our web site, http://www.davidfeldman.com/
Current Philatelic Magazines – Newsletters
Stamp of India Collectors’ Companion - India’s first and most updated weekly e-newsletter edited by Madhukar and Savita Jhingan from Stamps of India, New Delhi. E-mail: mjhingan@yahoo.com Website: http://www.stampsofindia.com/
GPA News - June, July, August, September 2008 Issues published by Gujarat Philatelists’ Association. Editor – Ilyas A. Patel E- Mail: iap_ip@yahoo.co.in & altoexim@yahoo.co.in
Vadophil- October 2008 issue edited by Prashant H. Pandya & Timir R. Shah and published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara. E-mail: Vadophil@indianphilately.net & trs_shah@rediffmail.com Website : www.geocities.com/vadophil/
Phila Post - Inaugural Issue (Jointly published by India Post & PCI) - Oct Dec 2008, Quarterly Executive Editor: Linda Brady-Hawke hawkelba@satyam.net.in Publisher: L B Associates Pvt Ltd for India Post
RAINBOW STAMP CLUB
This is a blog of e-stamp Club http://www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com/ . The idea of this blog is to extend philatelic fraternity in all corners of the world. Readers may write about themselves with their collecting interests and share new ideas with other philatelists. Those who are interested may send following details for publication on blog. If they wish they may also send their photo for publication.
Name……………………………………………
City/Country…………………………………
E-Mail…………………………………………
Postal Address………………………………
Collecting Interests…………………………
Brief write up about yourself……………
Readers may also express their views on any philatelic matter which will be published under Club News at Rainbow Stamp Cub Blog. Philatelic Clubs and Societies may also send brief write ups. News about new issues of India and abroad and other information related with Philately are regularly posted on this blog. Readers may send reports on new issues, special covers, cancellations & philatelic activities of their area for inclusion in this Blog. - Editor
Courtesy- News and Image Resource to this issue - Stamps of India, Hellmail, Stanley Gibbons India Post, Yogesh Kumar – Bareilly, Shrikant Parikh - Ahmedabad, Pradip Mohanty – Cuttack, Rakesh Walia – Chandigarh, V.K. Sabharwal – New Delhi, ‘The Beginner’s Guide to Stamp Collecting’
For PDF Version of Rainbow Stamp News reply with the subject Subscribe Rainbow PDF
Address for communication: Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti, D.F.O. Residence, Chopal-171211 Distt. Shimla (Himachal Pradesh). E-mail – rainbowstamp2008@gmail.com & j.jyoti9@gmail.com
· Last date for receiving write ups – 25th of every month. Kindly send images in jpg compressed format & text in MS Word only.
· If you liked this issue please forward it to your friends and help in promoting philately.
A Request to Readers-
- Please do not send the text in scan form. Send your write ups in MS Word only.
- Please do not send forwarded messages for promotional section if you want to give any information for promotion please write personally with brief write up. As this newsletter is not used for any commercial purpose in any manner.
"The collecting of stamps brings untold millions of people of all nations into greater understandings of their world neighbors" - Francis Cardinal Spellman of America
Till Next Month Happy Collecting…………………………………………………………………….
Rainbow Stamp News is edited and published monthly by Jeevan Jyoti, from Chopal, Distt- Shimla-171211 (H.P.) India.
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