India-Cyprus : Joint Issue

April 12, 2006

India-Cyprus : Joint Issue

Complete Set of 2 nos of commemorative postage stamps on India – Cyprus : Joint Issue : Folk Dances :

Issued by India

Issued on Apr 12, 2006

Issued for : The Department of Posts is proud of the robust and multidimensional bilateral relations between India and Cyprus. It commemorates the warm and friendly diplomatic ties with the issue of this set of two stamps.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Bharati Mirchandani
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multicolour

Denomination : 1500, 1500 p

Stamps Printed : 0.8 Million each

Miniature Sheet : 0.1 Million

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printer : India Security Press, Nashik

About :

Relations between India and Cyprus have been traditionally very close and friendly. India has been supporting the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and democratic choice exercised by the people of Cyprus. In recent years, relations between the two countries have been reinforced with several bilateral mechanisms and set up for regular interaction on issues of mutual interest. Regular high-level exchange of visits between the two countries have led to expansion and strengthening of bilateral cooperation. The Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus viz. Arch Bishop Makarios (1962), Spyros Kyprianou (1982, 1983 and 1984), George Vassiliou (1989) and Glofcos Clerides (1997), paid state visits to India. From India, President V.V. Giri (1972) and President R. Venkataraman (1988) visited Cyprus. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s historic visit in September 1983 is recalled as a significant milestone in India’s relations with Cyprus. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee also visited Cyprus in October 2002. Five agreements in the areas of Health, Post and Telecommunications, Science & Technology, Information Technology and Cultural Exchange Programme were signed to strengthen bilateral cooperation. Providing further impetus to mutual understanding and cooperation, the Postal Administrations of the two countries have embarked on a joint venture in Philately through the release of a set of two stamps.
The India-Cyprus joint issue showcases spectacular facets of Indian and Cypriot cultures. The theme of this philatelic commemoration is folk dance of India and Cyprus.
In Cyprus, there is an unbelievable great wealth of dance melodies, as Cypriot researches on the topic, have recorded more than 70 different “Syrtoi” and “Zeimbekikoi” dances. In the past, households did not have a running water supply for everyday use. A spring or “Vrisi”, as called, was used by the whole village. Young women would go to the ‘Vrisi’ to fill their pitchers or pots with water. There they would meet the young men they loved. These love encounters ‘chance-meeting’ are the subject of dance ‘The Pitcher’ or ‘Kouza’ or ‘Stamna’ as is called in Cypriot dialect which has been depicted in the Cypriot stamp.
The illustration on the Indian stamp depicts a famous folk dance called ‘Nati’. It is the most popular folk dance of Himachal Pradesh in India. It derives its name from Sanskrit word “Natya and Nritya”. It is a dance for amateurs who have no audience in view and who dance inclusively for their own pleasure and satisfaction. Unlike classical dances, there are no rules in these dances and minor variations are pleasantly done to suit the local taste and talent. Men and women, old and young alike join this community dance at the time of festivals, marriages and other celebrations.
Other folk dances originating from Nati are Banthra, Luddi, Dhilli Nati, Dohari Nati, Pheti Nati, Buhahari Nati, Bahndu Nati, Kartha, Lahauli, Bakhali, Phagli, Kharait, Garbi, Devkhel and Taon Nati. In these various types of Natis different hill tunes are played upon the orchestra.
Text : Based on inputs received from Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and Cypriot Postal Administration.