Washington: In a proud moment for the Indian diaspora, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has released a special commemorative postage stamp to mark the festival of Diwali. The vibrant stamp features an intricate Rangoli designed by Sangita Bhutada, an Indian-origin artist based in Houston.
The stamp was officially unveiled on Wednesday evening during a special event hosted at the Indian Embassy in Washington. India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, USPS Senior Vice President Shivani Gambhir, and the artist herself, Sangita Bhutada, jointly inaugurated the commemorative release.
Describing Rangoli as a vibrant traditional art form, the USPS noted its cultural significance in Indian households, where it is traditionally created on the floor using materials like coloured rice powder, chalk, and flower petals to invite good fortune.
Bhutada, who was born in India and has resided in the Houston area for several years, has been practising this ancient folk art for nearly 30 decades. Speaking to PTI about the collaboration, she revealed that the postal service approached her over a year ago. “I had shared about a dozen designs with the USPS, out of which four were shortlisted. It took about 10 days to prepare the final Rangoli,” Bhutada shared. The only suggestion she received from the authorities was to use bright hues to ensure the artwork stood out on the small canvas of a postage stamp.
The original physical Rangoli she crafted for the stamp was a massive eight feet in diameter. It incorporated striking shades of blue, orange, green, and red, seamlessly blended with traditional white outlines. The final stamp design was laid out by Jennifer Arnold, with William J. Gicker serving as the art director.
Addressing the gathering, USPS Senior Vice President Shivani Gambhir highlighted that the postal service has a long-standing tradition of honouring global cultures dating back to 1893. “Our stamps help weave a cultural tapestry that reflects the rich and diverse heritage of America,” Gambhir stated. This marks the second time the USPS has issued a Diwali-specific stamp, following its inaugural release in 2016.
Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra expressed his gratitude to Bhutada, praising her dedication to keeping the centuries-old tradition alive through her remarkable designs. The launch is being widely celebrated as a significant step in granting Indian folk art broader international recognition.