The centuries-old tradition of Ganjifa art from Sawantwadi has achieved national recognition with the release of special postage stamps and India’s first-ever round-shaped postcard by the Indian Postal Department. The featured artwork, centered on the Dashavatara — the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu — highlights the intricate beauty and cultural richness of this folk art form, which dates back to the 16th century.
This proud moment was marked by a ceremony in Mumbai, followed by a heartfelt felicitation event at the historic Sawantwadi Palace. Present at the celebration were King Khem Sawant Bhosale, Queen Shubhada Devi Bhosale, Crown Prince Lakhamraje Bhosale, and Princess Shraddharaje Bhosale, who came together to honor the Ganjifa artists whose dedication has kept this heritage alive.
Sixteen artists — Mohan Kulkarni, Sadashiv Dhuri, Pandurang Dhuri, Ramchandra Thakur, Varsha Londhe, Vishwanath Kulkarni, Ladu Thakur, Gayatri Kulkarni, Sukanya Pawar, Gauri Parker, Arya Devrukhkar, Sonali Kumbhar, Yash Dhuri, Bhuvan Halskar, Nikita Arabekar, and Sachin Kulkarni — were felicitated for their invaluable contributions.
Queen Shubhada Devi Bhosale emphasized that this recognition is a tribute to the legacy of Raja Shivramraje Bhosale and Rajmata Satvashila Devi Bhosale, whose efforts in preserving Ganjifa art have borne fruit on a national and now international level. She appealed for continued royal and government patronage to ensure that Ganjifa remains a living tradition for future generations.
Princess Shraddharaje Bhosale praised the depiction of the Dashavatara on the round postcard, stating it serves as both cultural education and artistic inspiration for the younger generation. This initiative, she added, has elevated Sawantwadi’s folk traditions to a global stage.
Veteran artist Mohan Kulkarni spoke emotionally about this long-awaited recognition, calling it a profound honor for Sawantwadi’s artistic legacy and for the dedicated community of Ganjifa painters.
The event also saw support from Shri Pancham Khemraj College, whose professors and faculty expressed their pride in seeing the cultural heritage of Sawantwadi celebrated at such a level. Principal Dr. D.L. Bharmal, Prof. G.M. Shirodkar, Dr. Satish Sawant, and Jayprakash Sawant were present along with non-teaching staff.
This recognition marks not only a milestone for Ganjifa art but also a shining example of how royal patronage, government support, and community dedication can revive and sustain traditional art forms in modern India.
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