Thanjaipex 2015, Thanjavur District Level Philatelic Exhibition was organized on 3rd and 4th September 2015 at Thanjavur by Thanjavur Postal Division at Perarignar Anna Nootrandu Kalaiarangam (Near Old bus stand and opposite to RM Hospital), Thanjavur, Tamilnadu.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Shri J.T. Venkateswarlu, Postmaster General, Central Region, Tamil Nadu, in the presence of V. Badrinath, Dean, School of Management, SASTRA University, and G. Natarajan, Director of Postal Services, Central Region. Five special covers on “Art and musical icons of Thanjavur” and a booklet on “International day of Yoga” Stamp were released on the occasion. During the exhibition philatelic workshop and quiz competition were also organized for students.
First special cover released on 3rd September 2015 was on musical instrument Veena (Veenai) of Thanjavur (Special Cover approval no. TN/24/2015).
The veena or veenai is India’s national instrument, and one of our most ancient ones. It is considered as the queen of Indian musical instruments. The present form of the veena is a polyphonous instrument designed and developed by Govinda Dikshitar during the reign of Raghunath Naik of Tanjore. It is often called the Tanjore veena or the Saraswati Veena. The veena is four feet in length consisting of a large resonator (kudam), a wooden bridge (kudurai), a tapering hollow neck (dandi), a smaller non-functional resonator and seven strings of the Veena. Jackfruit trees are used for making veenai. Veenai is made from jackfruit tree, which was grown for more than hundred years. The trunk of this tree does not grow big just like other trees.The making of resonator by chipping away the lump of wood to make a round, smooth surface it takes about five days. Making the inside of the foot-high kudam will take another week’s time. It has then covered by a palakai (thin wooden plate) that should be only 10X14 inches.
Second special cover was issued on Tanjore or Thanjavur paintings (Special Cover approval no. TN/25/2015).
Tanjore painting is a classical South Indian painting style, which was inaugurated from the town of Thanjavur (anglicized as Tanjore) and spread across the adjoining and geographically contiguous Tamil country. The art form draws its immediate resources and inspiration from way back about 1600 AD, a period when the Nayakas of Thanjavur under the suzerainty of the Vijayanagara Rayas encouraged art—chiefly, classical dance and music—as well as literature, both in Telugu and Tamil and painting of chiefly Hindu religious subjects in temples. However, it can safely be surmised that Thanjavur painting, as we know it now, originated in the Maratha court of Thanjavur (1676 - 1855). Thanjavur paintings are characterised by rich, flat and vivid colors, simple iconic composition, glittering gold foils overlaid on delicate but extensive gesso work and inlay of glass beads and pieces or very rarely precious and semi-precious gems. In Thanjavur paintings one can see the influence of Deccani, Vijayanagar, Maratha and even European or Company styles of painting.
Third special cover was issued on Thanjavur dolls (Special Cover approval no. TN/26/2015).
A tanjore doll is a type of traditional Indian bobble head or roly-poly toy made of terracotta material. Its centre of gravity and total weight is concentrated at its bottom-most central core all the time so as to present a dance-like continuous movement with slow-damping oscillations. Hence it comes back to its normal seating position automatically after being tilted / disturbed anyway. Round-bottomed toys are unique, but other standing types are available too. Traditionally these toys are handmade and their exteriors are painted to an intrinsic sense of humour.
Fourth special cover was issued on Thanjavur art plates (Special Cover approval no. TN/27/2015).
The creation of the Tanjore metal plate is credited to Raja Serfoji II (1797-1832), the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur (or Tanjore), who asked his royal artisans to create an object that would reflect the glory of his kingdom. Thanjavur art plates are traditional metal craft of Tamilnadu with its intricated workmanship and value. The popular Thanjavur Art plates feature designs of deities, birds, flower and geometric patterns beaten out from the back of copper and silver sheets. These are then encrusted on a brass round plate, tray or pot (Kudam) or cup (panchapathra). Generally the designs follow a theme, mythological or non-religious and sometimes special motifs of requirement.
Fifth special cover was issued on Thanjavur Thavil (Special Cover approval no. TN/28/2015).
The Thavil or Tavil is a barrel shaped drum from Tamil Nadu. It is used in temple, folk and Carnatic music, often accompanying the nadaswaram. The thavil and the nadaswaram are essential components of traditional festivals and ceremonies in South India. In folk music contexts, a pair of wider, slimmer sticks is sometimes used. Thanjavur is famous for thavil, so called Thanjavur Thavil. In Kollywood Filmi songs thavils are mostly used, Notable movies: "Thillaanaa Mohanambal", "Paruthiveeran", "Karagattakaran".
A stamp booklet on “International day of Yoga” Stamp was also released on the occasion containing Block of 4 of International day of Yoga stamps. The jacket of booklet is printed with lenticular printing and it is priced at Rs. 100 each. Limited numbers of presentation packs were also made containing 5 special covers.
On 4th September 2015 Valedictory function was held in presence of Chief Postmaster General, Tamilnadu Circle, Dr. Charles Lobo. A special cover was also released on Manora Fort, Thanjavur.
The Manora fort is situated 65 km away from Thanjavur. The fort was built by Maratha ruler Serfoji II in 1814–1815 to commemorate the successful advance of the British over Napoleon Bonaparte. It is an 8-storied, hexagonal tower, which is 23-meters high overlooking the Bay of Bengal. The fort derives its name Manora, from the word Minaret.
Covers Courtesy: R. Kasinath, Thanjavur
