Forgotten Biography

Shri Noren Singh Nahar

Noren Singh Nahar (b. December 1, 1920 - d. September 11, 2013), was graduated from Kolkata. His father Prithwi Singh Nahar was a noted disciple of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. In 1939, at the age of nineteen, Noren Singh became a permanent member and an inmate of Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Mother had an interest in stamps since her childhood and hence philatelic activities began in the Ashram. Pavitra-da (Monsieur St. Hilaire) was the first stamp collector in the ashram. After joining Ashram, Noren Singh started working with Pavitra-da, assisting him in the stamp collection related work. Later Mother entrusted to him the responsibilities of the Philately Department which flourished under him and his sister Suprabha Nahar.

His main interest was in French India and Meter Stamps. He visited France in 1975 and attended an International Philatelic Exhibition. He was member of Philatelic Advisory Committee from 1990-1992. He wrote many articles about the stamps of the French Settlements in India in India Post published by India Study Circle for Philately. Mr. Nahar had won several Awards at the State, National and International level. Shri Noren Singh Nahar was a Life Member of SIPA and an authority on French India philately and has authored a well researched book on French India Stamps.

He hailed from the famous Zamindar family of the Nahars of Azimgunj, Murshidabad and belonged to the Swetambar Murtipujak Oswal Jain sect. Also his family was close associate of Rabindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose.