In a tribute to one of India’s rarest traditional art forms, the Department of Posts has launched the country’s first circular postcards inspired by Sawantwadi’s Ganjifa cards. The initiative was unveiled at the Mumbai GPO Heritage Building as part of the National Postal Week celebrations, organized by the Maharashtra Postal Circle on Philately Day 2025.
Celebration of Culture and Craft
The commemorative release comprised a set of ten picture postcards featuring intricate hand-painted depictions of the Dashavatara — the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu — a central theme in the Ganjifa tradition. The postcards, designed in a circular format to honor the original shape of the historic game cards, mark a first in Indian philatelic history.
The launch event was presided over by Amitabh Singh, Chief Postmaster General, Maharashtra Circle, who also unveiled a special postal cancellation to commemorate the day. In his remarks, Singh emphasized the Department’s role in “preserving and promoting India’s cultural and artistic heritage through philately”.
Royal Legacy and Artistic Heritage
Members of the Sawantwadi Royal Family — including Ranisaheb Shubhadadevi Bhonsle, Rajesaheb Khem Sawant Bhonsle, Yuvraj Lakham Sawant Bhonsle, and Yuvrani Shraddha Lakham Sawant Bhonsle — attended the function. Ranisaheb Shubhadadevi Bhonsle addressed the gathering, tracing the art form’s royal lineage and cultural symbolism, underscoring its connection to Sawantwadi’s palace workshops where artisans continue to practice this intricate craft.
Reviving a Rare Folk Art
Ganjifa cards — traditionally circular, hand-painted on cloth, palm leaf, or paper and finished with lacquer — originated in ancient India as both an art form and a game. The works often depict religious and mythological scenes, illustrating both devotional and artistic finesse. Today, Sawantwadi remains one of the few centers keeping this practice alive.
The Department of Posts’ release of these circular postcards not only marks a philatelic innovation but also supports efforts to revive and sustain this endangered art form for future generations.
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