5th All India Stamps and Coins Exhibition 2005, Ernakulam

5th All India Stamps and Coins Exhibition 2005, Ernakulam

5th All India Stamps and Coins Exhibition was held at Ernakulam. Kerala on 15th, 16th and 17th April 2005. The special cover depicts Chinese Fishing net s at Cochin, a Katakali performer and coins of King George and Mahatma Gandhi. In India, Chinese fishing nets (Cheena vala) are fishing nets that are fixed land installations for fishing. While commonly known as “Chinese fishing nets” in India, the more formal name for such nets is “shore operated lift nets”.

Huge mechanical contrivances hold out horizontal nets of 20 m or more across. Each structure is at least 10 m high and comprises a cantilever with an outstretched net suspended over the sea and large stones suspended from ropes as counterweights at the other end.

Each installation is operated by a team of up to six fishermen. While such nets are used throughout coastal southern China and Indochina, in India they are mostly found in the Indian city of Kochi, where they have become a tourist attraction. The Indian common name arises because they are unusual in India and different from usual fishing nets in India.

Kathakali is a stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion. It originated in the country’s present day state of Kerala during the 17th century and has developed over the years with improved looks, refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise drumming. The Special Cancellation is of a Ship.