Woman from Gujarat
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | INDIPEX 97 |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | October 15, 1997 |
| Denomination | Rs. 6 |
| Quantity | 500,000 |
| Perforation | comb 13 x 13½ |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 1577 Stamp Number IN 1635 Yvert et Tellier IN 1347 Stanley Gibbons IN 1742 |
| Themes | Animals (Fauna) | Elephants | Logos | Mammals | Philatelic Exhibitions | Suits and Costumes | Women |
Table of Contents
Indepex ’97 World Philatelic Exhibition Commemorative Stamp Series
The Department of Posts organized the Indepex ’97 World Philatelic Exhibition to coincide with the Golden Jubilee celebration of India’s Independence. Held from December 15-22, 1997, at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, this event was a significant celebration of India’s cultural, historical, and social heritage, expressed through a series of commemorative postage stamps.
Commemorative Stamp Series:
- Indepex ’97 Logo (Released on October 5, 1996):
- Design: This stamp features the logo of Indepex ’97, showcasing a caparisoned elephant. The elephant symbolizes a traditional Indian welcome, representing the hospitality and warmth with which India greets the world.
- Centers of Cultural and Tourism (Released on June 6, 1997):
- Design: This set of four stamps highlights significant cultural and historical sites:
- Ruins of Nalanda University: Reflecting India’s ancient educational traditions.
- Stupa of Vaishali: A monument of great importance in Buddhist history.
- Kushinagar: The site where Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana.
- Bodhi Trees of Bodh Gaya: Symbolizing the place of Buddha’s enlightenment.
- Design: This set of four stamps highlights significant cultural and historical sites:
- Beaches of India (Released on August 11, 1997):
- Design: This set celebrates India’s diverse coastline with depictions of:
- Gopalpur-on-Sea: A tranquil beach in Odisha.
- Kovalam: A popular tourist destination in Kerala.
- Bogmalo: A serene beach in Goa.
- Anjuna: Another Goan beach, known for its vibrant atmosphere.
- Design: This set celebrates India’s diverse coastline with depictions of:
- Indian Rural Women:
- Focus: This series highlights the traditional attire, jewelry, and roles of rural women from different regions of India, reflecting the country’s rich cultural diversity and unity.
- Ladakh: Depicts a woman wearing traditional headgear adorned with semiprecious stones, symbolizing the region’s unique craftsmanship and resilient lifestyle.
- Kerala: Shows a rural woman engaged in paddy field work, representing the state’s high literacy rate and active participation in agriculture.
- Arunachal Pradesh: Captures the vibrant ethnic culture of the North-East, with rich and varied dress and jewelry.
- Gujarat: Features the colorful attire and traditional jewelry typical of rural women in the western region of India.
- Focus: This series highlights the traditional attire, jewelry, and roles of rural women from different regions of India, reflecting the country’s rich cultural diversity and unity.
Significance:
- Cultural Representation: The stamps highlight India’s diverse cultural traditions, emphasizing the unity in diversity that characterizes Indian society. Each stamp serves as a window into the life and traditions of rural India, portraying the rich cultural heritage across various regions.
- Role of Rural Women: By focusing on rural women, the series celebrates their significant contribution to India’s economy and culture. The stamps depict women from different regions, showcasing their traditional roles in agriculture, household work, and handicrafts, while also highlighting the aesthetic beauty of their attire and jewelry.
- Golden Jubilee of Independence: The Indepex ’97 exhibition and the associated stamp series were part of India’s 50th Independence celebrations, marking half a century of the nation’s progress and cultural richness.
This series of stamps not only commemorated a historic event but also served as an artistic tribute to the diverse cultural and social fabric of India. The stamps remain a cherished part of India’s philatelic history.