Sunday, April 24, 2022

India 2022 - Joint Issued With Turkmenistan, 30 Years of Partnership, Dances: Sankirtana and Kushtdepti


Technical Details:
Date of Issued: 03 April 2022
Denomination: 25 p
Stamp Printed: 201,600 pieces
Miniature Sheet Printed: 111,000 Sheets
Printing Process: Wet Offset
Printer: Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

India and Turkmenistan – 30 Years of Partnership was celebrated by President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of India Ram Nath Kovind in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. To mark this event The Department of Posts released the Sankirtana and Kushtdepdi’s joint postage stamp of “India and Turkmenistan – 30 Years of Partnership” both stamps represent the historical art and culture of both countries which is common for both countries. In modern times, bilateral relations have been strengthened by adopting the social culture of India. Indian movies, music and TV serials are popular in Turkmenistan.

The joint issued of Commemorative Postage Stamp celebrates this natural friendship of India and Turkmenistan through the traditional art of singing and dancing i,e Sankirtana and Kushtdepdi. These traditional dance and singing forms of India and Turkmenistan are part of UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Sankirtana encompasses an array of arts performed to mark religious occasions and various stage in the life of the Vaishnava people of the Manipur plains. Sankirtana practices center on the temple, where performers narrate the lives and deeds of Krishna through song and dance. Sankirtana works in harmony with the natural world, whose presence is acknowledged through its many rituals.

Kushtdepdi is a performing art involving creative poeticizing focused on good feelings and wishes. It involves singing with vocal improvisation and dancing with movements of the hands, gestures, and footsteps in accordance with the tune of the song. The rite serves as a tool for conveying good wishes and is an inseparable part of ceremonies and national celebrations.

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India and Turkmenistan - 30 years of Partnership

India enjoys friendly and historical ties with Turkmenistan. Archaeological finds in South Turkmenistan including near Ashgabat have revealed their contacts with Indus Valley Civilization. Traces of Soma drink preparation (mentioned in Rig Veda) in the ruins of Gonur Depe archeological site in Mary province supports the theory of early civilizational links between the two countries. Sanskrit Buddhist manuscripts, coins and Buddha statue found in the ruins of Merv (Mary province) suggest continuity of cultural and trade linkages. ‘Turkmen Gate’ built in Delhi in memory of great Turkmen Saint Shams-ul-Arifeen Shah Turkmen Bayabani, who is believed to have lived in India during 13" century, also bears testimony to this friendship.

In modern times bilateral relations have been strengthened by regular high-level visits. Hon'ble President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov visited India in May 2010. Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi visited Turkmenistan in July 2015. During these visits, several significant MoUs and agreements were signed covering areas such as Science & Technology, Defence, and Tourism etc.

Indian movies and TV serials are popular with Turkmen people. Similarly, Indian music especially Hindi songs also hold a special place in the hearts of Turkmen people. Indian film festivals are held on regular basis in different cities in Turkmenistan. ‘India Cultural Week’ including exhibition, dance performance, film and food festival was celebrated in Ashgabat in May 2017 to mark the 25" anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Turkmenistan.

Central Asia's first Yoga and Traditional Medicine Centre was inaugurated by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India in Ashgabat in July 2015. A Yoga Teacher and an Ayurveda Expert have been deputed to the Centre from India and offer classes / consultations to interested people. They also teach at the State Medical University of Turkmenistan, Ashgabat.

India provides training for Turkmen nationals under its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Since the inception of the programme for Turkmenistan in 1994, over 400 Turkmen nationals have been trained in various courses. In addition, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) provides Scholarships to students from Turkmenistan to pursue graduation, post-graduation and Ph.D. There are currently over 300 students from Turkmenistan pursuing their higher education in various reputed universities in India. In 2010, a Hindi Chair was established by India in Azadi Institute of World Languages, Ashgabat where Hindi is being taught to around 50 university students.

The joint issue of Commemorative Postage Stamp celebrates this natural friendship of India and Turkmenistan through the traditional art of singing and dancing i.e. Sankirtana and Kushtdepdi. These traditional dance and singing forms of India and Turkmenistan are part of UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Sankirtana encompasses an array of arts performed to mark religious occasions and various stages in the life of the Vaishnava people of the Manipur plains. Sankirtana practices Centre on the temple, where performers narrate the lives and deeds of Krishna through song and dance. Sankirtana works in harmony with the natural world, whose presence is acknowledged through its many rituals.

Kushtdepdi is a performing art involving creative poeticizing focused on good feelings and wishes. It involves singing with vocal improvisation and dancing with movements of the hands, gestures and footsteps in accordance with the tune of the song. The rite serves as a tool for conveying good wishes and is an inseparable part of ceremonies and national celebrations.

Department of Posts is delighted to commemorate the 30 Years of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Turkmenistan through the Joint Issue of Commemorative Postage Stamp.

Credits:
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/ : Shri Brahm Prakash
Text : Referenced from contents provided by Ministry of External Affairs

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