Complete set of 2 nos. of commemorative postage stamps on 75^th anniversary of the diplomatic bilateral relations between India and Luxembourg : Amar Nath Sehgal, an Indian modernist sculptor :

Issued by India

Issued on Mar 14, 2023

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to jointly issue Commemorative Postage Stamp on ‘75 Years of India–Luxembourg Friendship’ which will further strengthen bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Credits :
Stamp/FDC/Brochure : Shri Anuj Zood
Cancellation Cachet : Mrs. Nenu Gupta

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 2500 Paise (2)

Souvenir Sheet Price : 5000 Paise

Souvenir Sheets Printed : 1.16 lakh

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• The diplomatic relations between India and Luxembourg were established in 1948. The two countries are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations during 2023. India and Luxembourg have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly bilateral relations with cooperation extending to various multilateral and international forums. Amar Nath Sehgal, renowned sculptor, represents the strong bonds of friendship and cultural connect between India and Luxembourg. He is a unique symbol of the friendship between the two countries and has contributed significantly to the people-to-people ties. His birth centenary was commemorated during 2022. In recognition of his body of work which also personifies India-Luxembourg Friendship, the Postal Departments of two countries have come up with a Joint Issue to commemorate the occasion. The sculpture of artist Sehgal named ‘The Friends’ is an impressive & poignant work of art and a beautiful example of artist’s close relationship and friendship with Luxembourg. The sculpture ‘Flute Player’ is another remarkable work of art representing the spirit of Lord Krishna.
• Amar Nath Sehgal, renowned worldwide for his contribution to modern Indian art, was born in pre-partition India, in Campbellpur, on 5^th February 1922. He studied Industrial Chemistry at Banaras Hindu University and worked briefly as an engineer in Lahore. Following India’s Independence in 1947, he migrated to Delhi. His interest in art since childhood encouraged him to pursue art as a career and he moved to USA in 1948 to study art education at the New York University. On his return, he joined the College of Art, Delhi, as faculty.
• Amar Nath Sehgal’s oeuvre of works spanned over six decades of his life. His artistic versatility extends to sculptures, paintings, poetry, graphics and tapestries. In 1955, the artist was appointed by UNESCO to study and survey folk arts in India. He was awarded the Lalit Kala Academy Fellowship in 1993, the highest honour in Fine Arts conferred by the Government of India. He was bestowed Padma Bhushan by Government of India posthumously in 2008 for his outstanding contributions to the field of art.
• In 1979, Sehgal established a studio in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and for next 24 years, he lived between India and Luxembourg. In Luxembourg, Sehgal’s works are exhibited in the public collections of the National Museum of History and Art, the City of Luxembourg, the Central Bank of Luxembourg as well as in numerous private collections.
• In 1986, Sehgal founded “The Creative Fund” in Luxembourg in the presence of Prime Minister Jacques Santer, the objective of which was to help artists from the Grand Duchy and India to discover and be inspired by the rich history and culture of both countries. The Creative Fund became a unique exchange to help young and talented artists pursuing their passion in art.
• Sehgal’s iconic bronze bust of Mahatma Gandhi, commissioned by the philanthropist Henry Leir, was inaugurated in the Municipal Park in Luxembourg City in 1978 in the presence of the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gaston Thorn. In 1980, the bronze bust was stolen and the artist offered a copy of the original to the City of Luxembourg which was inaugurated on 2 October 1982, on the 113^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Today, it is a popular public sculpture, in the centre of the city, celebrated by the local community and the Indian diaspora as a reminder of the messenger of peace, Mahatma Gandhi, and his values of tolerance and non-violence.
• On the occasion of the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, on 2^nd October 2019, the Luxembourg Post & Telecommunications in cooperation with the Department of Posts – Philately of the Government of India released special commemorative stamp featuring Sehgal’s statue of the Mahatma.
• The sculpture Friends, in Bronze, is a unique piece of art created by Sehgal in 1988. The two bronze figures placed directly opposite each other signify not just two strong beings, but also resonates a sense of equality, respect and honour. The photograph of the artist with the work leaves a deep impact on every viewer as it relays the history of an Indian artist who moved alone to a distant country in search of inspiration. While India was his biggest inspiration, Luxembourg, with its warm people and welcoming environment, was like a home away from home. Luxembourg served as a catalyst between Sehgal’s creativity and his roots. The image here is a celebration of the bond of two nations with strong cultural values and historic ties brought together by one artist – Amar Nath Sehgal. The sculpture was loaned to the Embassy of The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, New Delhi in 2019.
• The sculpture Flute Player is a form to represent the spirit of Lord Krishna. The deity is worshipped across the Indian subcontinent as a supreme God. The source of Lord Krishna’s mythology comes from the Mahabharata and the very essence of the birth of the Bhagvad Gita. Lord Krishna’s personality is meant to be composite, wise yet youthful, strong yet tender, with an abundance of love. The flute he carried with him is a significant part of his personality. Some would derive it to be representative of the human heart and Lord Krishna the giver of love, filling the hollow flute as he plays it. The echoes of the music transpire as a medium of his showers of blessings. The bronze sculpture made in 1958 is an edition of 5, part of multiple private and public collections like the MOMA in Paris, and MNHA in Luxem-bourg, and was presented to UNICEF on behalf of the Children of India.
• Text : Referenced from content provided by Ministry of External Affairs.

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