My Dashavatar Collection by Sushil Mehra

Book Review

My Dashavatar Collection by Sushil Mehra

My Dashavatar Collection  Philatelic and Non Philatelic with Special emphasis on Rama and Krishna by Sushil Mehra :   ISBN 978-93-5407-485-1 : Publisher -  Sushil Mehra : Pages : 144 : Paperback : Price : Rs 1200 Available at : Amazon .in : Contact : email – gaureshmehra@gmail.com

The Dashavatara refers to the ten primary incarnations (avatars) of Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation which has Rigvedic origins are Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki. Vishnu is said to descend in the form of an avatar to restore cosmic order. The word Dashavatara derives from daśa, meaning 'ten', and avatar (avatāra), roughly equivalent to 'incarnation'.

    

The book explores the Dashavatars i.e the 10 Avatars (incarnations) of Vishnu through the eyes of Philately. The book showcases stamps, covers, bazaar cards, picture post cards, match box labels on this subject. It has both philatelic and non philatelic material. It is a wonderful book opening a window to the Indian mythology through various philatelic items collected by the author over the years. The best part of the book is that author has explained ten Avtars of Lord Vishnu in a very simple and interesting way through designs, cancellations, postmarks and other   illustrations on stamps, First Day Covers, Special covers, Maxim Cards, Postal Stationery, Bazaar Cards and other philatelic items presented in his philatelic exhibit ‘Jaydeva’s Dashavtara with special emphasis on Rama and Krishna’. 

The second part of the book gives details of mythological characters featured on match box labels. This is also an interesting part of this book as match box label collection has been a  hobby of many collectors . The printing quality, design and layout of the book is excellent . This colorful book is an asset for a Thematic Philatelist, book lover and for all those who have special interest in Indian mythology. In fact the book inculcates person’s   interest in Indian mythology especially the young generation who is unaware about it. The book is very intersting featuring a variety of philatelic items on this theme with the detail. I recommend this book to all philatelists, book lovers, stamp collectors . The school and college libraries must have this book for the students to let them know more about Indian culture and mythology. It is also a very good Coffee Table book for everyone ! 

 

   

   

About the author

 Sushil Mehra is a noted philatelist and numismatist of Bangalore and writes regularly on stamps . His FB philatelic posts on Pan India Pictorial Place cancellation  Group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/panindiapostal/) are very popular among philatelists with interesting stories of everyday life and its association with stamps. He is a member of Karnataka Numismatic Society and  Karnataka Philatelic Society. Karnataka Postal Circle has released Postcards on his collection and two books on special Covers of Karnataka to which he has contributed. The Economic Times has published an article on his collection. He recently authored and published a book on Glimpses of Vintage Bengaluru Collection of Picture Post Cards. Mr Sushil Mehra may be contacted at email : gaureshmehra@gmail.com