Nearly 400-page book explores India’s musical heritage through postage stamps, featuring legendary artists, instruments, folk traditions and 50 ragas
Neeti Gopendra Bhatt, Jaipur
The unique book ‘Jhankar – The Strum’ by Dr. Kumesh Kumar Jain was formally launched during the 37th National Youth Music and Talent Hunt Competition organised by Sur Sangam in Jaipur. The English-language book documents India’s rich musical heritage through the rare and fascinating world of postage stamps and philately.The event was attended by Rajasthan Urban Development and Housing Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra, Padma Shri awardee Penaz Masani, renowned musician Deepak Pandit, Sameer Sen and several other distinguished personalities from the fields of music and art. Dr. Jain has dedicated the book to the memory of late K.C. Maloo, former National President of Sur Sangam.Hemjit Maloo and Prasenjit Maloo, Managing Directors of Veena Music Group, and Mukesh Agrawal, National Secretary of Sur Sangam, were also present. Penaz Masani, who wrote the foreword, and Banaras-based musician Surendra praised the book’s presentation and cover design. Gopendra Nath Bhatt contributed the biographical account of K.C. Maloo featured in the publication.Indian Music Through the Lens of PhilatelySpanning approximately 400 pages, ‘Jhankar – The Strum’ explores several dimensions of Indian music, including classical and folk traditions, tribal music, film music, musical instruments, legendary performers and the tradition of ragas.The book features instruments such as the sitar, sarod, tabla, flute, veena, mridangam and nadaswaram, alongside renowned musicians associated with them. The contributions of stalwarts including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Zakir Hussain, M.S. Subbulakshmi and Ustad Bismillah Khan are presented through the perspective of Indian postage stamps.A distinctive feature of the book is its portrayal of stamps as more than collectible items. They are presented as records of the country’s cultural memory, preserving the legacy of artists, instruments and musical traditions for future generations.From ‘Naad Brahma’ to the Global Music StageSpeaking at the launch, Dr. Jain explained that ‘Jhankar’ is not merely a book but an attempt to explore the long journey of Indian music, where culture, tradition, memory and philately come together.He said the inspiration arose from a fundamental question: Can music be experienced not only through hearing but also through sight, emotion and memory?Tracing the roots of Indian music to the concept of ‘Naad Brahma’, Dr. Jain referred to cultural symbols such as Krishna’s flute, Shiva’s veena and damru, Vishnu’s conch and Goddess Saraswati’s veena. The book traces the evolution of Indian music from Vedic chanting and temple traditions to royal courts, the guru-shishya tradition, modern concert stages and the international music arena.It also examines the development of folk, tribal and film music, including the influence of global musical traditions and the contribution of artists such as A.R. Rahman. A compilation of 50 ragas adds another dimension to the publication.A Legacy That Resonates Across GenerationsDr. Jain emphasised that Indian music belongs to no single language, region, religion, instrument or tradition. Instead, it represents a confluence of diverse cultural streams, passed down through generations, from guru to disciple and from one gharana to another.He explained that the word ‘Jhankar’ signifies more than the sound produced by vibrating strings. It represents a resonance that travels across generations. While an artist may pass away, their dedication and musical practice continue through those who follow.According to the author, even a small postage stamp can carry a nation’s artistic legacy across geographical boundaries and preserve it in collective memory.The dignitaries present at the launch described the publication as a significant record connecting Indian music with philately. The event attracted music lovers, artists, researchers and stamp collectors.Rajesh Agarwal and Purushottam Diwakar of the Bharatiya Bhasha Samvardhan evam Sahitya Sangam, along with Dr. Devdutt Sharma, Editor of Swar Sarita, also attended the ceremony.Through ‘Jhankar – The Strum’, Dr. Kumesh Kumar Jain brings together the history of melody, devotion, artistic achievement and cultural remembrance, presenting Indian music as a living tradition whose resonance continues across generations.
