Pipli Applique work
Hi Readers ! Hope all of you had a very nice ten days long festive time. I have put a poll for the best Indian Stamp issue of 2008. The issue which gets the maximum votes will be put with another popular group of stamps of 2008, just to get the most popular issue of 2008. So vote for the stamp you like best in this group.Now coming to our usual Posts, I have to show you here some of the artefacts from Malaysia and Czech Republic. As handicrafts are one of the most important cultural aspects of a particular region. It shows the art skill of the people of that specific area. I want to mention here that India is blessed with beautiful craft work of different states .While writing this Post I just remember the exquisite art work of Orissa which I saw there in splendid exhibitions held at Bhubaneshwar. Orissa is also blessed with magnificent art work of various kinds like handicraft, textile stone work, special paintings made on palm leaves and so many varieties. Its making me very nostalgic to write here about Orissa as Bhubaneshwar has the honour to hold a number of exhibitions in the months from october to January every year.I have seen many of them. I must say here that people of Orissa are very art loving and highly intellectual which is seen in their way of life. The applique work of Orissa is very famous. There is a small place called Pipli on Bhubaneshwar - Puri road which is the centre of complete applique art work of Orissa. You can see there a variety of colorful Umbrellas from small to garden umbrella size and various kinds of chandeliers made out of beautiful and very bright applique work. You can choose them from number of shops there situated on both sides of road.Here is a special cover showing the umbrella in main design of the cover & chandelier in the cancellation. So when you visit Orissa never miss these beautiful handicrafts.From today we start here another regular series by our distinguished member Mr. Shrikant Parikh on FDCs of Se-tenant stamps. It is a specialized section for FDC collectors and will give a variety in the collection of FDCs from the normal collections. Hope you will enjoy the series. This is all for Today ! ..........More in Next....Till then Have a Great Time !
Cultural Instruments & Artefacts from Malaysia
Date of Issue : 10 June 2008
Malaysia is blessed with multi-ethnic community with different values, culture and heritage. This assortment of different culture, values and race have resulted in the various cultural instruments and artefacts. Cultural instruments and artefacts featured in the stamps of this Series are stone grinder, "supu" and coconut grater; instruments that were used traditionally and are still being used today display the fine handicraft and artistic creativity by the people of Malaysia. Other beautiful handcrafted instruments such as the stone mill, "celapa", coconut grater and tiffin carrier are examples of traditional instruments with artistic and aesthetic values that were used and are still used in the daily life and in weddings, although some have been modified to suit current modern needs.
"Batu giling" or stone grinder is a traditional tool consisting of two parts made of stone, referred to as "mother" and "child". The "mother" is the millstone or base part of the grinder where the chilli or spices are placed, whereas the "child" is the smaller piece of stone used to roll onto the base stone to crush and grind the said spices. Using this stone grinder will produce a fine and well grounded paste of spices or chilli.
Supu
"Supu" is a small container used to keep tobacco. Made of silver and beautifully decorated with fine carvings, it is also used as a decorative accessory by the Bajau community in the district of Kota Belud, Sabah. Amongst the Dusun Tindal community, it is known as "kuapu" and is used as a decorative accessory for the bride and bridegroom's wedding costume.
Coconut Grater
"Kukur kelapa" or coconut grater is a tool used to grate or scrape the flesh of the coconut from its shell. The traditional coconut scraper is shaped out of a piece of wood for the seat and at the end is a sharp-edged metal spur. Creativity from the artistic Malays have resulted in the "Kukur kelapa" carved based on the design of a four-legged animal complete with the tail and other carvings of nature-inspired motives such as plants. The coconut grater was once a very important tool in every Malay household as coconut milk is an essential ingredient in Malay cooking. Although its usage by the city folk have reduced due to the preference of electric tools, this tool is still much in use in the outskirts. Some myths about "kukur" is that it is either male or female. Women are not allowed to use male "kukur" especially during major feasts.
Handicraft from Czech Republic
To be issued on 15 October 2008
Rococo stove - The Archbishop Palace in Prague - white glazed stove with plastic and relief decoration with gilt details; the 60s of the 18th century This issue relates to the 2007 issue featuring Gothic and Renaissance stoves. Glazed-tile stoves in a clear Baroque style became more common in Bohemia no sooner than in the early 18th century. At the beginning they were preferred mainly for their functionality; later on also for their representative shape. In comparison with the former Gothic and Renaissance tiles the massive body of Baroque stoves was made of larger and more profiled ceramic pieces. Like the difference between the Baroque and the Rococo styles whose decorations and shapes often merge, it is difficult to follow the transition from Baroque to Rococo stoves. The grandiose tectonics and clear composition of Baroque stoves makes place to lighter stoves with surprising shape accents. A distinctive detail of Baroque stoves is the volute of many shapes. Characteristic of Rococo stoves are mainly asymmetry, details and playful decorations, especially the typical rocaille.
A Journey Through Indian Stamps - FDCs of Se-tenant stamps
Stamp collection is an absorbing Hobby. In modern circumstances, one is always short of time. So it is a matter of convenience and perfection when one chooses a specialized subject and tries to complete the collection. One very interesting subject is to collect the First Day Covers of Se-tenant stamps. Over and above the picturesque design of stamp, the layout of Cover and special cancellation adds to the overall beauty. Period starts from year 1974. It is more challenging to accumulate all these FDCs than the mint Se-tenant stamps. For the benefit of collectors, in this regular series, attempt is made to show these FDCs of Se-tenant stamps. The FDCs in the series have been given in chronological order.
From Collection of Shrikant Parikh
Mathura Museum - 9 october 1974
Michaelangelo - 28 June 1975
