New stamps from Brazil..

 

Ground Zero Monument

Date of Issue : 22 September 2013

Here is a new stamp from Brazil featuring Ground Zero Monument on the Equator. In this new issue, the Brazilian Post is drawing attention to the touristic importance of the Ground Zero Monument on the Equator, as well as spotlighting the culture of the state of Amapa, known as “The Middle of the World,” a tribute that greatly honors the people of Amapa.

The stamp portrays the verticality of the Ground Zero. In the background, there is a map of South America, with the state of Amapa highlighted in salmon. A representation of the Equator runs through the state capital, Macapa, which is where the monument is situated. In the foreground, the focus is on the view from the terrace of this tourist site, where the monument shows the dividing line between the two hemispheres, along with some of the surrounding trees. It is also possible to see images of the tourists that visit the place every day. The stamp was produced using digital painting techniques.

Amapa, the only Brazilian state whose capital city is “cut” by the imaginary line that is the Equator and which binds the two hemispheres. It is the only place in the world where the longest river on Earth crosses the Equator. Amapa, home to a people of impeccable culture, a welcoming people with an exotic cuisine, surprising tales and millions of charms. Millions of charms and a special richness to make the sun shine more strongly and perfectly twice a year. This event is the equinox phenomenon, which occurs in the state capital, Macapa, and can be best observed in March and September at the Ground Zero Monument on the Equator.

The monument was built to register the geographical evidence for the Equator and features an obelisk represented by a sundial. It is strategically positioned between the Northern and Southern hemispheres to enable visitors to walk along a physical mark corresponding to the imaginary line. This observation, made with the naked eye, is harmonious and attracts tourists from all over Brazil and the world, making the capital “glow” with academics, researchers, mystics and admirers who gather around the monument.

It lies 5km from the center of Macapa, and consists of a terrace, a space for shows, an exhibition hall, a store selling handcrafted products, and a large parking lot.

The monument is found in the Middle of the World Park, a tourist complex that also includes the Zerao Stadium, where the halfway line of the soccer pitch corresponds to the imaginary line of the Equator; the Sambodrome – the stage where Samba Schools parade and where the Sambodrome Popular Arts School is located.

Stamps on Art

Date of Issue : 26 May 2013

The stamps feature works of  "Lumberjack", the Brazilian Antônio Rafael Pinto Bandeira, and "Fisherman in a Red Shirt", the Georgian Niko Pirosmani. Contemporary painters, born in the second half of the nineteenth century, have different styles and techniques in his works, which represent the character and soul of their respective countries.

: Brazil Post

 

Stamp on legendary singer and actress Noor Jahan by Pakistan Post

 

 

Pakistan Post issued a commemorative postage stamp of Rs 8 denomination on the occasion of 88th birth anniversary of legendary singer and a melody queen Noor Jahan. This stamp was made available for sale from September 21 at all the important post offices of Pakistan.

Born in a Punjabi family of musicians, Begum Noor Jahan was one of the legendary singers and actors in Pakistan. She was the first woman to record a qawwali for a South Asian film in 1945 and gained immense popularity for her patriotic songs during the 1965 war between India and Pakistan.Having sung almost 10,000 songs, Begum Noor Jahan holds the highest record of film songs in Pakistani cinema.In honour of her selfless contribution, around half a million of these stamps have been printed.The stamp has been designed by Adil Salahuddin, who has also been awarded the Sitara-e-Imtiaz for his efforts.

Noor Jahan was the adopted stage name for Allah Wasai (September 21, 1926 - December 23, 2000) who was a legendary singer and actress in India and Pakistan. She has recorded about 10,000 songs in various languages of India and Pakistan including Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and Sindhi languages. In 1942, she played the main lead opposite Pran in Khandaan. It was her first role as an adult, and the film was a major success. Khandaan's success saw her shifting to Bombay. Noor Jahan acted in Hindi film 'Anmol Ghadi' (1946) directed by Mehboob Khan, starring Surendra and Suraiya. The film was musical hit and still remembered for its music by Naushad, which have hits like, Aawaaz De Kahaan Hai, Jawaan Hai Mohabbat Haseen Hai Zamana and Mere Bachpan Ke Saathi Mujhe Bhool Na Jaana. Noor Jahan's last film in India was Mirza Sahibaan (1947) which starred Prithviraj Kapoor's brother Trilok Kapoor.

Noor Jahan sang 127 songs in Indian films and the number of talking films she made from 1932 to 1947 was 69. After partition in 1947, she moved from Mumbai to Karachi. Noor Jahan visited India after 35 years in 1982, to attend ceremonies commemorating Golden Jubilee of the Indian talkie movies.

Courtesy : Indian Philately Digest