India on Tribal Dances 1991

Complete Set of 4 nos of postage stamps on the Indian Tribal Dances : Valar, Kayang, Hozagiri and Velakali :

Issued by India

Issued on Apr 30, 1991

Description of Designs : The Special stamps and the First Day Cover are based on the designs made by Shri R.N. Pasricha. The cancellation is made by Smt. Neenu Gupta.

Type : Stamps, Postal Used

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 250, 400, 500 & 650 Paise

Overall size : 3.91 x 2.90 cms.

Printing size : 3.55 x 2.54 cms.

Perforation : 13 x 13

Paper : Imported Un W/M Adhesive Gravure Coated Stamp Paper

Number Printed : 10,00,000

Number per issue sheet : 35

Printing Process : Photogravure

Printed : India Security Press

About : 

• Kayang is a popular dance form of Kinnaur. It is a rosary dance in which the artists hold hands in a cross form that look like the beads of a rosary. The male dancers take their positions one after the other alternatively. The leader of the party carries a whisk in his hand and starts the dance. This form of dance is both thrilling and heart-warming.
• Velakali dance is predominantly performed by Kundividians and Nairs. Each dancer holds a shield in one hand and a stick in the other. The dancers wear a white dhoti on which a red cloth sash is tied. The head dress is a flaming red turban with a border of gold. It is performed to the accompaniment of trumpets, kettle drums and war cries. Basically it is a martial dance full of dramatic situations depicting the victory of the Pandavas over the Kauravas. It is marked by fast movements, jumps and turns.