A Miniature Sheet consisting of 3 nos. of postage stamp on the Golden Jubilee (1953-2003) of Sangeet Natak Academy (SNA), The National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama :

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 22, 2003

Issued for : The Akademi completed fifty eventful years of its existence in January this year. The Department of Posts celebrates its Golden Jubilee with the release of this set of three commemorative postage stamps and a miniature sheet which capture the vibrant spirit of the performing arts they portray.

Credits :
Stamp, Miniature Sheet & FDC : Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise each

Overall size : 2.90 x 3.91 Cms.

Printing size : 2.90 x 3.91 Cms.

Perforation : 13.5 x 13.5

Paper : Matt Chromo

Stamps Printed : 0.8 million each

Miniature Sheet : 0.1 million

Number per issue sheet : 30

Printing Process : Photo Offset

Printer : Calcutta Security Printers Ltd.

About : 

• Civilization is mirrored in its cultural patterns. The classical arts portray not merely its roots but also its developments. They provide a visual commentary on and are a concrete manifestation of abstract thought. Indian art has blossomed through the centuries by virtue of the patronage accorded to it by the various kings and statesmen who ruled the country. Post-independence India felt the need to preserve and promote the rich and vast cultural heritage expressed in diverse forms of music, dance and drama. And thus was born the Sangeet Natak Akademi on 28 January, 1953 with the objective of providing an institutionalized system of support and patronage to the performing arts.
  
• The thought behind the establishment of the Akademi is best expressed in the words of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the then Union Minister of Education:“India’s precious heritage of music, drama and dance is one which we must cherish and develop. We must do so not only for our own sake but also as our contribution to the cultural heritage of mankind. Nowhere is it truer than in the field of art that to sustain means to create. Traditions cannot be preserved but can only be created afresh. It will be the aim of this Akademi to preserve our traditions by offering them an institutional form …. In a democratic regime, the arts can derive their sustenance only from the people, and the state, as the organized manifestation of the people’s will, must, therefore, undertake …. maintenance and development [of the arts] as one of [its] first responsibilities….“
• As the apex public body in the field of performing arts, the Sangeet Natak Akademi has not only opened new vistas for our art traditions, it has also fostered cultural contacts among the various regions in India and between India and the world. Besides, it renders advice and assistance to the Government of India in formulating and implementing policies and programmes in the field of performing arts. At present, the Akademi is an autonomous body of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India and is fully funded for implementation of its schemes and programmes. The Akademi has also established institutions like the National School of Drama, Jawahar Lal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy at Imphal and Kathak Kendra – National Institute of Kathak Dance at New Delhi in order to chisel talent and create excellence in these areas. It has taken up National Projects to rejuvenate such ancient dance forms as Kutiyattam (Kerala), Chhau (Orissa) and Sattriya (Assam).
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi has instituted ‘Akademi Awards‘ that are conferred on practising artists as hallmarks of the meritorious service rendered by them in their respective fields. ‘Akademi fellowships‘ are conferred as the highest recognition on living masters. Distinguished ‘Akademi Fellows’ include Bharat Ratna Ravi Shankar, Bharat Ratna Bismillah Khan, Ebrahim Alkazi, Kapila Vatsyayan, Komal Kothari, Kelucharan Mohapatra, Mrinalini Vikram Sarabhai, Birju Maharaj, Ammannur Madhava Chakyar, Badal Sircar, Vijay Tendulkar, Balamurali Krishna, Bhupen Hazarika, Chairman and Shyamanand Jalan, Vice-Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi.
• The Akademi functions as a storehouse of archives comprising audio/video tapes, photographs and films and a reference library comprising old books and unpublished manuscripts of rare nature as well as more than 600 musical instruments and dance costumes of rare nature to promote research in the field. A gallery of musical instruments was also inaugurated by renowned violinist Lord Yehudi Menuhin at Rabindra Bhawan in New Delhi where more than 200 musical instruments are displayed. The Akademi also gives grants-in-aid to individual workers and cultural organizations engaged in imparting higher training in music, dance and drama and for conducting research and surveys.
• Text : Based on material received from the proponent.

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