India Paintings FDCs

India FDCs
Name: Jayadeva and Geetagovinda
Date of Issue: 27 July 2009

The Gita Govinda (Song of Govinda) is a work composed by the 12th-century poet, Jayadeva, who was born in Kenduli Sasan near Puri in Orissa. It describes the relationship between Krishna and the gopis (female cow herders) of Vrindavana, and in particular one gopi named Radha. This work has been of great importance in the development of the bhakti traditions of Hinduism.

The Gita Govinda is organized into twelve chapters. Each chapter is further sub-divided into twenty four divisions called Prabandhas. The prabandhas contain couplets grouped into eights, called Ashtapadis.

The first English translation of the Gita Govinda was published by Sir William Jones in 1792, where Kalinga (ancient Orissa) is referred to as the origin of the text. Since then, the Gita Govinda has been translated to many languages throughout the world, and is considered to be among the finest examples of Sanskrit poetry.

Yasodhara Menon, Chief Post Master General, Orissa Circle of India Post released a set of 11 stamps on Jayadev & Gita Govind at a state level function held at Jayadev Bhawan, Bhubaneswar on July 27, 2009. The album containing these stamps was presented to the chief guest, Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Orissa. Prafulla Samal, Minister for Panchayati Raj, Information and Public Relation, Orissa, Prasanna Patsani, Member of Parliament, Aravind Dhali, Member of the Legislative Assembly and Tarunkanti Mishra, IAS, Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Orissa were present on the occasion.

A spectacular and colorful Orissi dance performance on Dasavtar followed the stamp release function. The Chief Minister also inaugurated a photographic exhibition on the paintings on Jayadev. A Philatelic counter was opened during the function. In spite of heavy rain philatelists from different parts of Orissa as well as local people turned up in large numbers.

Comment: These 11 stamps are the largest commemorative set of stamps in India Post's history. It's also very interesting because the issue date of this set is 27th July, 2009, but the year on stamp is 2008.