The history of 25 years of the Karnataka Philatelic Society, Bengaluru

Preamble

If there is fuel, Oxygen and heat there will definitely be fire. So what does one expect when personnel the likes of Col. L.G Shenoi, Miss Sophia Ten Broeck, Y R Shah, Fredun Seervai, Dr. Asok and Mr. A.N Kagal get together? Of course! The birth of a philatelic society.

In Col Shenoi's own words, from the annual report of the Karnataka Philatelic Society (KPS) for the year ending 31 Dec 1975- "At one of the Organising Committee meetings of the Karnapex 75, the Post Master General (PMG) of Karnataka circle, Shree M.R Krishnan suggested to the philatelists members of the committee that they should form a philatelic society in Bangalore on a state-wise basis so that the philatelists of Karnataka can contribute effectively to the progress of Indian philately. He further stated that all philatelic associations of Karnataka might consider getting affiliated to this society at Bangalore. Some philatelists welcomed this idea and Col. L.G Shenoi convened a meeting of the interested philatelists in early 1975, and the Karnataka Philatelic Society was formed.

Beginning

At the Special General Body Meeting held on 9th March 1975, at H.A.L Office in Indian Express Building, Bangalore, the following office bearers were elected from among the members of the Governing Council: - President - Col. L.G Shenoi Vice President & General Secretary - Mr. Fredun P Seervai Treasurer - Miss Sophia Ten Broeck Joint Secretary - Mr. Prakash V Sheth

The members of the Governing Council, other than the office bearers, were: - Dr. K.S Asok, Sri D.N Sevak, Sri R. Chandrasekhar, Sri Shankarnarayan, Sri A.N Kagal, Sri S Parthasarathy, Sri Shafiquar Rehman, and Flt Lt P.C Ghoshal.

From records available, Col L.G Shenoi, Sri Fredun P. Seervai, Miss Sophie Ten Broeck, Sri A.N Kagal, Dr K. S Asok, Sri D.N Sevak, were life members. Sri Parthasarathy was an ordinary member (annual basis) and details of Flt Lt P.C Ghoshal, in so far as his membership data is concerned, are not known.

Sri M.R Krishnan, the P.M.G Karnataka circle, became the first patron of the KPS. The society was registered under Karnataka Society's Registration Act on 22nd March, 1976.

Upon transfer of Mr. S Parthasarathy , from Bangalore, Mr. Y.R Shah took his place in the standing Governing Council as a member. On 31st December 1975, the membership strength stood at 26 members of which 14 were life members.

KPS assisted in a large way the Department of Posts in conducting the first ever state level philatelic exhibition ''KARNAPEX 75" and also donated a gold medal to be awarded to the best junior exhibit. During KARNAPEX 75 AND INPEX 75, the national level philatelic exhibition, the members of KPS bagged 3 Gold, 7 Silver and 4 Bronze medals. Col. L.G Shenoi won a silver medal in " ESPANA 75" the international stamp exhibition held at Madrid, Spain.

A Bi-monthly bulletin of the KPS was started, with the maiden issue being released in November 1975. The founder editor of this bulletin was Col. L.G Shenoi. KPS library was formed and it was located at the residence of the treasurer KPS Miss Sophia Ten Broeck. The accounts for year ending 31 December 1975 showed a surplus of Rs 1867. The KPS became one of the founding members of the Philatelic Congress of India (PCI) and also inducted into the Governing Council of the PCI.

Philately in Karnataka in the 60s

It is worthwhile noting that, at this period of time that a large number of philatelists, who enrolled as members of KPS, were already active members of the stamp wing of the Indo-American Association whose beginning dates back to June 1961. It is singularly significant that this association had the honour of having the Maharaja of Mysore, Sri Jaya Chamaraja Wodeyar as its Patron in Chief. Mr. S Ramachandra Gupta was its founding President. The President of KPS was one of the members of the exhibition committee, Dr. K.S Asok and Sri Thammajee Rao, in whose memory an award has been constituted, by Sri V Krishnamurthy, one of early life members of KPS, for the best exhibit in the Junior class at Karnapex exhibitions held in the state, were members of this association.

The Garden City of Bangalore did not have a Philatelic Bureau at that time, but only a philatelic booth. However, efforts by the association enabled conversion of the existing booth to a full-fledged Philatelic Bureau. Credit also goes to this association for the holding of the first philatelic exhibition at Bangalore on 14th October 1962. The special cancellation issued during this exhibition shows that the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, as it was known then, were not fussy about use of Bilingual captions on the cancellations. Even the postage stamps had inscriptions in English only. It is also interesting to note that the special cover bore a 8 naye paise stamp where as the postal rate for envelope was 15 paise at that point of time. The 2nd philatelic exhibition was held on 10th May 1964 at Bangalore. Perhaps, India's first balloon flight covers with balloon flight cancellations were evolved by the members of this association on Children's Day, from 1963 to 1966. The third exhibition was held from 17th to 19th December, 1966. In October 1968 we note that Mr. D.N Sevak, one of early life members, became a stamp dealer by opening his shop "Stamp Paradise" in Commercial Street Bangalore.

We note the existence, then, of the Davangere Philatelic Club, which commenced its activity in 1969. "Youth Philatelics" a philatelic association was established in 1971, and, most of our noted members have their origins as youth, in this august organisation. The credit of holding of Philatelic Festivals every year from 1971 onwards goes to the Youth Philatelics ably steered by Shri Sadanand Holla. Mr T.N Prahalad Rao, one of members of KPS, won many awards at the philatelic exhibitions associated with these festivals. The Hassan Philatelic Club was established in 1971. The Young Philatelists (Regd.) Philatelic Club at Hassan held "HAPEX 72 " the Hassan Philatelic exhibition from 12th to 14th November 1972 at the Sri Seta Nandunjaneya Temple, Hassan. Col.L.G Shenoi spoke on this occasion

In the special folder issued on the occasion of the Karnataka Philexpo, held from 15th to 17th, August 1974, it is stated that the following Philatelic Clubs existed then:

Davangere Philatelic Club
Hassan Philatelic Club
Shimoga Philatelic Club
Malnad Philatelic Club, Chikmagalur
Belgaum Philatelic Club
Youth Philatelic Club
Mysore, Youth Philatelics, Bangalore.

One wonders where was the stamp wing of the Indo-American Association. Did it die a natural death? Did its sudden demise result out of growing Indo-Soviet relations after the 1971 Indo-Pak War? Was the P.M.G's motive in starting the KPS bolstered by the existence of a number of philatelic clubs, existing then?

INDIPEX 73, the national philatelic exhibition, might have been the instrument leading to the establishment of many philatelic clubs all over India. Back home we have the Ballupet Philatelic Club established in February, 1975 and having three exhibitions to it's credit within a year of it's formation. Mangalore Philatelic Club was established in June 1975 and Mysore Philatelics was established during the same year.

In the April 1975 issue of the India Stamp Journal there is an article on "Anche or the Postal Organisation of the Mysore State" by our founding President Col L.G Shenoi.

Significantly, the women philatelists, of Bangalore, organised themselves and the Women Philatelic Society was founded on 16th February 1975 to celebrate the International Women's Year. The society must have had a premature demise with the closing of the International Women's Year on 31st December 1975.

The March issue of the India Stamp Journal had this to say regarding the KPS: -
"Bangalore- Mr. L.G Shenoi's name is closely linked in promoting philately in the south. He is stationed at Bangalore where he is devoting a lot of time and energy in shaping the philatelic careers of a number of beginners. He has started a bulletin known as 'KPS Bulletin" which will bi-monthly bulletin. The first bulletin is in our hands and we appreciate the work and efforts involved by a busy person like L.G Shenoi. The Karnataka Philatelic Society is really fortunate in having two senior philatelists, L.G Shenoi and F Seervai to shape the destinies of the beginners "

Text Courtesy: Cmdr. Acharya, Life Member, KPS