India ASEAN Commemorative Summit

ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit 2018 – “Shared Values, Common Destiny”

The Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), comprising Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam, shares a long and profound cultural and historical bond with India. India’s focus on strengthening these ties evolved from the Look East Policy of the early 1990s into today’s dynamic Act East Policy, aimed at fostering multi-faceted relationships across trade, culture, and diplomacy.

In 2018, India hosted the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi, under the theme “Shared Values, Common Destiny”. To celebrate this historic event, the Department of Posts released a set of 11 commemorative stamps, each representing the cultural and civilizational linkages shared between India and the ASEAN member states for over two millennia.

The Stamps and Their Cultural Significance

The stamps reflect mythology, art, dance, architecture, and shared traditions, highlighting subtle yet enduring bonds built on trust, respect, and tolerance. A recurring theme is the Ramayana, whose stories have been adapted into diverse forms across Southeast Asia.

1. Brunei Darussalam:
Depicts Menyambah, the traditional greeting similar to India’s Namaskar. The mudras (hand gestures) found in dance forms across Southeast Asia reflect a common cultural connection.

2. Cambodia:
Shows the attack of the monkey warriors on Kumbhakarna, engraved on the walls of Angkor Wat, celebrating the artistic legacy of the Ramayana.

3. Indonesia:
Illustrates the Kakawin Ramayana, written during the Medang Kingdom (732–1006 AD) in Central Java, showcasing Indonesia’s rich literary and artistic interpretation of the epic.

4. Lao PDR:
Features Phra Lak Phra Lam, the Lao national epic depicting Rama and Lakshmana, with Buddhist influences and the heroic figure of Hanuman representing strength and devotion.

5. Malaysia:
Highlights the Torana Gate, gifted by India to Malaysia in 2015. This gate, with Hindu and Buddhist motifs, reflects the historical Indian-Malay heritage connection.

6. Myanmar:
Depicts Yama Zatdaw, Myanmar’s adaptation of the Ramayana, showcasing local traditions, costumes, and performances while preserving the epic’s core storyline.

7. Philippines:
Shows Singkil, a graceful dance derived from the Darangen adaptation of the Ramayana. Dancers, portraying Princess Gandangon, navigate bamboo poles with elegance, showcasing a vibrant cultural performance.

8. Singapore:
Features the Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple founded in 1827, and a South Indian gold earring with a lion motif, symbolizing India’s deep-rooted historical and cultural connection with Singapore.

9. Thailand:
Illustrates Khon, Thailand’s traditional dance-drama derived from the Ramakien (Thai Ramayana). The performance includes masked dancers, singing, and acrobatic moves, highlighting the popularity of Hanuman in Thai culture.

10. Viet Nam:
Highlights the Kate Festival of the Cham people, celebrated in Ninh Thuan province. The background features the Cham Temple tower of the My Son Sanctuary, dating back to the 4th century AD, dedicated to Lord Shiva. India has supported the restoration of this heritage site.

11. India:
Depicts Rama – Sita Swayamvar in Pattam Kathai, a traditional cloth-based scroll painting from Andhra Pradesh, celebrating India’s artistic and mythological heritage.

A Tribute Through Philately

This stamp series commemorates India’s enduring cultural, spiritual, and historical ties with ASEAN nations. Each stamp captures the shared narratives, artistic traditions, and mutual respect that continue to strengthen the bond between India and Southeast Asia. Through these miniature works of art, the legacy of friendship, collaboration, and shared heritage is celebrated across borders.