By Pradip Jain
Postage stamps trace the history of a nation and play an important role as ambassadors, representing the nation’s flora, fauna, culture, heritage, scientific achievements, etc. Each stamp has a story to tell. The story of Krishna told through postage stamp series issued around the world is presented here for the first time...
Jayadeva and Geetagovinda
The Department of Posts released a set of commemorative postage stamps on Jayadeva and Geetagovinda. The stamps and the first day cover are a depiction and celebration of Jayadeva's composition on Dasavatar.
Dasavatar refers to the ten primary incarnations of Lord Vishnu in Hinduism, each appearing at different times to restore cosmic order. Lord Krishna is one of the incarnations.
Geetagovinda by saint poet Jayadeva is a unique work in Indian literature and has been a great source of literary and artistic inspiration for the last nine centuries. Composed in Sanskrit in the 12th Century AD, it has been translated into most of the modern Indian languages and many foreign languages as well.
People have enjoyed singing its melodious lyrics and have danced to the tune of the Geetagovinda in all classical dances of India and in palas and kirtans. The Geetagovinda surpasses almost all preceding works of Sanskrit literature in the composite appeal of its music, poetry, and mystical content.
It was from Jagannath Temple, Puri, that the melodious music of Geetagovinda reverberated to the distant corners of India and then fascinated people all over the world.
(The author has won several Gold Medals in International philately and served three terms as the Governing Council member of the Philatelic Congress of India)
(All photos courtesy of the author)
