Canada Post含羞草研究社檚 new stamp celebrating Diwali was created with the help of a business owner with deep roots in Surrey.

Kamal Sharma was an advisor for the creation of the special rangoli-patterned stamp, which was designed by Seung Jai Paek.

The Diwali stamps and collectibles are and post offices across Canada starting Oct. 19.

含羞草研究社淟ayers of symbolism are woven into the eye-catching rangoli pattern on this stamp heralding the arrival of Diwali on November 4,含羞草研究社� the website notes. 含羞草研究社淎 time to reflect, overcome negativity, and spread light and love, the five-day festival is observed by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs and others around the world.含羞草研究社�

A Vancouver resident, Sharma runs Surrey-based , which stages local concerts and produces television shows. He also operates the long-established Kamal含羞草研究社檚 Video Palace, on Scott Road.

含羞草研究社淐anada Post asked me to be involved about six months ago, on an advisory board with other people across Canada,含羞草研究社� Sharma told the Now-Leader. 含羞草研究社淚t was quite an honour, and in return they acknowledged us on the stamp book cover.含羞草研究社�

Sharma tweeted photos of the stamp and also posted on .

含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檝e gotten such incredible response to the stamp, with hundreds of people complimenting it and congratulating me, saying it含羞草研究社檚 the most beautiful stamp ever,含羞草研究社� Sharma said. 含羞草研究社淚 think it含羞草研究社檚 very, very beautiful.含羞草研究社�

Designer Paek layered the commemorative stamp含羞草研究社檚 rangoli pattern with meaning, and studied hundreds of rangolis before 含羞草研究社渄evising this clever concept to convey the spirit of Diwali,含羞草研究社� according to Canada Post.

含羞草研究社淎 lotus flower, symbolic of new beginnings, forms both the outline and inset of the rangoli,含羞草研究社� the website notes. 含羞草研究社淎 ring of heart-shaped lamps or diyas, commonly lit during the festival, expresses love and gratitude. In the centre, an Indian spice box called a masala dabba alludes to the food shared during Diwali. The rich golds in the design evoke a sense of wealth, while the stream of light in the background represents the gods illuminating the path to peace and prosperity.含羞草研究社�

Rangolis are an important part of Diwali celebrations. Drawn on floors in entranceways, living rooms and courtyards using flower petals, coloured sand and other materials, these temporary works of art are traditionally created to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune, into celebrants含羞草研究社� homes.

The new stamp is Canada Post含羞草研究社檚 third Diwali stamp since 2017. The first release was a joint issue with India Post.

The 2021 stamp is available in 10-stamp booklets with a print run of 80,000 booklets.

, designed by Entro Communications, featured a diya and a geometric background evocative of a traditional rangoli.

tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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