This post features the Nepalese folk instrument stamps of 1983. A postage stamp is one way that a country can celebrate its culture and history. Musical instruments that are important to the traditions of a country can be a source of pride and unity for the people within a country. Some instruments are even national symbols, like the saùng-gauk (harp) of Myanmar (Burma).
I particularly enjoy adding a music stamp from a country that I don’t have well represented (or represented at all) in my collection. A couple of years ago I found this beautiful first day cover that featured the four stamps in a series issued by the country of Nepal on March 11, 1983. I have no other music stamps from Nepal.
Scott #’s 411-414
The most famous designer of Nepalese postage stamps is the artist K. K. Karmacharya. Beginning in 1967, and retiring in 2005, Karmacharya designed 389 postage stamps for Nepal. You can read more about his career and his stamp designs in this article from the Nepali Times.
Sarangi
The musical instrument series features four instruments. On each stamp, the instrument appears by itself, as well as in use by a musician. The first stamp depicts the sarangi, a bowed stringed instrument. The instrument has a double-chambered boey with the top section open and the lower section covered with a skin. The instrument has four strings and traditionally was used to accompany singing.
Kwota (dholaka) drum
The second stamp features a double-headed barrel drum. The instrument name kwota is on the stamp, which is very similar to other drums found in India, known as the dholak. The drummer plays the kwota with their hands (each hand striking one head). The drum can rest in the player’s lap or, like on the stamp, hang on a sling around the neck. This stamp quite clearly has an error. There are two instruments in the lower left of the stamp, one laying on its side in playing position, the other standing vertically on one head. To the right, a player stands with the drum strapped around his neck, but the vertical drum appears in front – obviously, wrong.
Narsinga (ranasringa)
The next stamp is the narsinga, or ranasringa, a type of trumpet. The instrument has a cupped mouthpiece and a musician plays it by buzzing their lips and blowing air throuth the insturment. The instrument is very old and found throughout south Asia. While earlier examples are of animal horn, modern instruments are made of brass. The instrument plays loud fanfares.
Murchunga
The final stamp in this series depicts another very old instrument, the murchunga. The instrument is a type of jaw’s harp, with a metal frame and a central flexible metal tongue. The instrument is held in the mouth, with the frame resting against the teeth or cheeks. The player plucks the flexible metal tongue with their finger and their mouth serves as a resonator. Although the instrument creates a single pitch, by changing the shape of their mouth cavity, they can create melodies.
