US Postal Service honours Diwali with rangoli stamp design

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has released a postage stamp celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights observed by millions across India and the diaspora worldwide. The stamp features a vibrant rangoli design created by Sangita Bhutada, an accomplished artist based in Houston, Texas.

India's Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra, USPS Senior Vice President Shibani Gambhir and Bhutada jointly unveiled the stamp at a formal ceremony held at the Indian embassy in Washington on Wednesday evening. The USPS noted that rangoli is a traditional floor pattern created using coloured rice powder, chalk, flower petals and other materials, typically made during festivals and believed to bring good fortune to households.

Bhutada, who originally hails from India, has been practising the ancient folk art of rangoli for nearly three decades in her adopted home of Houston. She revealed that the USPS approached her more than a year ago to create the design for the commemorative stamp. "I shared a dozen sketches with the USPS, from which they selected four designs for further development," Bhutada said, noting that the final rangoli artwork required substantial time and effort.

The stamp was designed by Jennifer Arnold, with William J Gicker serving as the art director. The release represents a significant recognition of Indian cultural traditions by the US postal service and highlights the growing appreciation for Diwali celebrations among diverse communities in America.