Explore nature at New Delhi’s National Philatelic Museum. N. KALYANI
Photos: V.V. Krishnan
Nature, naturally Some of the stamps exhibited at the National Philatelic Museum Photos: V.V. Krishnan
With environmental degradation and its ramifications on every life form being a pressing issue of the day, the theme of the philatelic exhibition, (now on at New Delhi’s National Philatelic Museum) has most aptly been chosen as “Explore Nature”.
“Theme-based philatelic exhibitions actually serve to sensitise. They evoke an interesting response from the viewers. This is thanks to the topicality of the theme and the interest generated by the exhibits. For instance, their exotic nature or uniqueness. Besides, it also promotes philately as a hobby among the young,” says IMG Khan, Secretary (Posts), who is giving a positive identity to the museum.
Philately is not restricted to just collecting stamps; it gets the enthusiast to delve into books and many other sources to ferret out every nugget of information possible on the subjects of the stamps. “Exhibits in philatelic exhibitions always have an accompanying interesting write-up of rare and unusual details about the subjects of the stamps,” points out Khan. An exhibition with Nature as the theme can make viewers and enthusiasts more conscious and alert to issues pertaining to its conservation and preservation, he adds.
The current exhibition has on display 113 stamps issued by India post-independence on different facets of Nature and our rich heritage of flora and fauna. These stamps belong to both the commemorative (limited edition stamps) and definitive (regular usage stamps printed on a continuing basis) categories.
The themes include wildlife, birds, medicinal plants, trees, flowers, rivers and oceans, marine ecology and Himalayan ecology to name just a few.
The exhibits bring many interesting aspects of Nature and various life forms to the fore. The latest series on the ‘endangered birds of India’ issued on October 5 last year comprising the Nilgiri Laughing thrush, the Manipur Bush quail, the Greater Adjutant stork and the Lesser Florican alerts us to the latter-day vulnerability of our winged friends. Up on display are stamps on very unusual varieties of plants and animals exclusive to India. The Kurinji tree, for instance, which flowers once in 12 years was issued as a commemorative stamp on May 29 last year as it flowered in 2006 in its typical white and blue blossoms. Similarly a stamp issued some seven years ago features the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, an endangered species found in coastal Orissa.
The latest fragrance stamps such as the sandalwood stamp and the rose series are of course to be appreciated, in more ways than one.
Besides India Post’s stamps, there is a splendid display of about 300 stamps from the private collection of veteran philatelist Manohar Lal.
The varied fauna in this collection has been categorized, by the philatelist, according to the degree of vulnerability a species is exposed to ranging from threatened to critically endangered.
A unique stamp in this collection features the mini-sized Gardinar’s Frog.
The collectibles for a philatelist is not just stamps. The exhibition here has also displayed miniature sheets which carry all the stamps released on a theme on a particular day on a single sheet.
Also captivating are ‘maxim cards’ which are picture postcards and ‘first day covers’ which are illustrated envelopes, that are the stamp(s) released stuck on them and pictorially cancelled with the date of their release.
Commemorative stamps are printed in small numbers in these formats and are a prized collectible.
The exhibition, on until June 15, is open for viewing everyday of the week except Monday, from 10 am to 5 pm.
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