Viana do Castelo traditional costume

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 inthe 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 inBilateral relations between independent India and Portugal began amicably in 1947 and diplomatic ties were established in 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.