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Vol. XXXIV No. 18, January 1-15, 2025
Treasure Trove of Postcards on Madras
– by Prasanna S
As the city gears up for the TANAPEX 2025 philatelic exhibition, the Philatelic Bureau on Anna Salai showcased a unique collection of postcards that celebrates different facets of Chennai through art, literature, movies, books, and more. Located opposite the iconic Devi Theatre, the Philatelic Bureau is a hub for stamp collectors and history enthusiasts. The recent exhibition was a special one; it ran for five daysand was a rare opportunity for visitors to explore the city’s historical and cultural heritage through the lens of postcards.
As part of the promotional activities for TANAPEX 2025, the upcoming Philatelic Exhibition in Chennai, an exciting series of games and activities were organized at Baynes Baptist School. Prizes were distributed to the winners, encouraging their interest in the fascinating world of stamps. (All pictures have been sourced from Facebook.)
Students of Baba Matriculation School, Kodambakkam, created beautiful drawings of futuristic post offices at an event organized to promote the State Level Philately Exhibition – TANAPEX 2025.
Post office customers at Thuckalay and Nagercoil, had a meet with cute Muthu, the mascot of TANAPEX 2025, the Circle-Level Philatelic Exhibition.
TANAPEX 2025 the Circle level Philatelic exhibition awareness program conducted at The Hindu Senior Secondary School, Adyar.
Curated by renowned philatelist Jaisakthivel, the exhibit featured over 180 postcards and presented a fascinating glimpse into the city’s past and present. From vintage depictions of iconic landmarks to modern illustrations of the city’s vibrant culture, each postcard told the story of Chennai’s transformation over the years. The collection, which focused on postcards from 2010 onwards, served as a testament to the city’s evolution into the thriving metropolis it is today. “This exhibition is a labour of love that celebrates Chennai’s unique spirit,” said Jaisakthivel, when I spoke to him during the event. “We invite everyone to come and experience the city’s fascinating history and culture through these remarkable postcards.”
One such captivating collection was the University of Madras series. It was also interesting to see how black and white postcards from The Hindu have evolved – two exhibits were presented from their archives, the 2023 Oor, Ula and Ulam and the 2024 Nagarum Nam Nagaram; both these were put together expertly by historian Thirupurasundari Sevvel. The postcards on display emerged as a unique visual record of the city’s architectural landmarks, street scenes and daily life; each was a historical artefact as well as a beautiful work of art that evoked nostalgia and curiosity.
I for one was moved by the way the exhibit reflected the changing times. From the colonial era to the post-independence period, the display showcased the city’s metamorphosis from Madras into the Chennai we know and love today. The exhibition was a testament to the power of photography to preserve history and inspire future generations.
