In 2014, India Post released several sheetlets and miniature sheets featuring famous Indian Musicians, including individual stamps for legends like Vilayat Khan, Ali Akbar Khan, Ravi Shankar, and Mallikarjun Mansur, alongside broader sets celebrating musicians and their instruments, available as single stamps on FDCs, blocks, or complete sets, sold through philatelic dealers online.
Key Musicians Featured:
Vilayat Khan: Sitar maestro, featured in a sheetlet of 9 stamps.
Ali Akbar Khan: Sarod virtuoso, with his own stamp sheetlet.
Ravi Shankar: Sitar legend, also honored with a dedicated sheetlet.
Mallikarjun Mansur: Renowned Hindustani classical vocalist, with a single-value sheetlet.
Bhimsen Joshi: Iconic vocalist, featured in both individual and set releases.
D.K. Pattammal (Damal Krishnaswamy Pattammal): Carnatic vocalist, with a single stamp sheetlet.
Types of Releases:
Sheetlets/Miniature Sheets: Often containing a single value or multiple stamps (like 8v).
First Day Covers (FDCs): Featuring the stamps on specially cancelled envelopes, sometimes with brochures or musical instrument themes.
Complete Sets: Available as a set of 8 different sheetlets or miniature sheets.