Folk costumes on joint issue from Romania and India

By David Hartwig

A Sept. 17 two stamp set issued jointly by Romania and India commemorates 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries by showcasing folk costumes of both nations.

The folk costumes on the 4-leu stamp, which pays the Romanian domestic letter and postcard rate up to 100 grams, represent those worn in India.

A woman wears a skirt known as a lehnga and blouse known as a choli, along with a dupatta covering her midriff and head.

The man wears a loose, collarless shirt called a kurta along with a dhoti, a traditional garment similar to trousers but fashioned out of a single piece of unstitched cloth that is wrapped and tied around the waist of the wearer.

The 6-leu stamp includes the 2-leu registry fee for a domestic letter or postcard up to 100 grams and shows folk costumes of Bihor county in western Romanian.

The woman wears a spatoi blouse along with a skirt called a poale, which is pleated on the waistband. She wears a wool coat called a suman, and on her head is a cashmere kerchief called a basma.

The man wears a cloth apron called a zadia over a short shirt and wide trousers. Long boots and an astrakhan fur hat complete his outfit.

Romania and India formally established diplomatic relations in December 1948, after India gained independence in 1947. Romania opened an embassy in India in 1955, and India established its diplomatic presence in Romania in 1957.

In 2013 the two countries signed a joint declaration regarding their extended partnership, which led to more collaboration in various fields such as economics, trade and tourism.

In recent years, economic ties have grown, with Indian companies investing in Romania’s infrastructure and Romanian firms exploring opportunities in India. According to a press release announcing the stamps, India ranks second in Romania’s trade exchange with Asia.

In the cultural sphere, Romania and India participate in cultural exchanges, fostering deeper understanding between their peoples.

The University of Delhi offers a Romanian language, culture and civilization lectureship; and the University of Bucharest includes a Hindi language department. The Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, has a center for Indian studies.

The Folk Costumes stamps were produced by Tullis Russell by offset in sheets of 32, miniature sheets of five stamps and one label, and blocks of two stamps. The stamps measure 33 millimeters by 48mm.

Romania’s philatelic bureau, Romfilatelia, also offers a first-day cover with a Bucharest postmark canceling the two stamps. A cachet on the FDC shows the flags of both Romania and India and provides details about the issue.

The Folk Costumes stamps and related products can be ordered online.

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