TRIBAL ART RATHWA MURALS FEATURED ON COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMPS

Abstract [English]

This art reflects the civilization, culture, and spiritual beliefs of the Bhils and the Bhil tribe. This art is primarily created by the local residents of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. It is not a painting, but the last remaining vestige of a bygone era. It continues to breathe its last through its lines, colors, shapes, and various mediums. This art is a trace of a bygone era that flourished in the lap of nature centuries ago. Rathwa murals are a vibrant, sacred, and historic art. Which depicts the life, spirituality and cultural heritage of the Rathwa tribe on the wall. This art was depicted in the form of memories of their ancestors and cosmic symbols. To highlight the importance and uniqueness of this art, the Indian Postal Department released a commemorative postage stamp on it in 1999.

My research highlights the significance of Rathwa art and its cultural, economic, political, and environmental aspects. This paper explores the interrelationship between tribal art and the National Philatelic Collection in India, which honors Rathwa mural painting, the traditional art of the Rathwa tribal community of Gujarat. This study contextualizes the cultural significance of the art (locally known as Pithora), analyzes the origins of the stamp in the context of India Post's broader thematic issues on tribal arts and crafts, and discusses the implications for cultural preservation and heritage recognition.