Demand for Special Postage Stamp on Indore's Grand Tableaux, Letter to PM

Indore | आशीष नेमा

Cultural Heritage to Receive National Recognition

A demand has been raised to grant national and global recognition to Indore's vibrant and artistic tableaux, a centuries-old tradition during Anant Chaturdashi, through a special postage stamp. BJP leader Shailendra Mahajan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology Jyotiraditya Scindia to honor this significant cultural heritage.

Mahajan argued in his letter that Indore's tableaux are not merely part of a religious festival but symbolize a cultural tradition and artistry over a hundred years old. This event began during the Holkar rule, with Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak's call to publicize Ganesh Utsav. Even today, institutions like Malwa Mill, Bhandari Mill, and Swadeshi Mill keep this tradition alive, despite the closure of textile mills.

Artistic Legacy to Be Honored

The creation of these tableaux is a laborious process, with local artists working tirelessly for months. Artists, carrying forward the legacy of maestros like Rupchand Punjabi and Mishrilal Verma, bring to life 25 to 30-foot-high moving tableaux conveying messages of science, religion, and patriotism. The construction of these tableaux incurs expenses in lakhs of rupees, reflecting the city's artistic capability and cultural commitment.

Boosting Global Identity and Tourism

The BJP leader also highlighted that the Indian Postal Department has previously issued stamps on important heritage sites like Mahakal Lok and Ram Mandir, as well as on eminent personalities like Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. He believes Indore's tableaux tradition, a unique identity of the city, has not yet received its due recognition.

Issuing a postage stamp will not only encourage these dedicated artists but also promote Indore's distinct cultural heritage nationwide and internationally. This move is expected to give new impetus to tourism in the city and permanently etch Indore's artistic identity in the annals of history.