USPS unveils Diwali stamp featuring Houston artist's vibrant rangoli

The US Postal Service has released a postage stamp commemorating Diwali, featuring an intricate rangoli pattern created by Houston-based artist Sangita Bhutada, news agency Press Trust of India reported.

India's Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra, USPS Senior Vice President Shibani Gambhir and Bhutada unveiled the stamp at a function at the Indian embassy in Washington on Wednesday evening.

The USPS described rangoli as a vibrant floor pattern traditionally created using materials such as coloured rice powder, chalk and flower petals. It is believed to bring good luck.

Bhutada, a native of India and a long-time resident of the Houston area, has practised the traditional folk art of rangoli for nearly 30 years. Jennifer Arnold designed the stamp, while William J Gicker served as its art director.

Bhutada told PTI that the USPS had approached her to create the stamp more than a year ago.

"I shared a dozen sketches with the USPS of which they selected four. The actual work on the rangoli took about 10 days. The only suggestion I received was to use bright colours that would be rendered better on the stamp," she said.

The original rangoli measured eight feet in diameter and featured bright shades of blue, orange, green, red and white.

This is the second time the USPS has released a postage stamp to mark Diwali. The first was issued in 2016.

"The USPS has been issuing postage stamps since 1893 to commemorate cultures from around the world. Our stamps allow us to weave together a tapestry that reflects the rich and multifaceted heritage of America," Gambhir said, according to PTI.

Addressing the gathering, Kwatra thanked Bhutada for keeping the age-old tradition of rangoli alive through her designs.

The new Diwali stamp, centred on Bhutada's colourful rangoli artwork, continues the USPS tradition of issuing stamps that commemorate cultures from around the world.

With PTI Inputs

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