View source for Vasanṭā Press

[[File:A K Sitarama Shastri.jpg|Right|210px|thumb|A. K. S. Shastri, shown in ''The Theosophist'' of October 1929.]]
The '''Vasanţā Press''' was established at the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society in Adyar]] in 1909. It prints various publications produced by the [[Theosophical Publishing House (Adyar)]], the [[Adyar Library and Research Centre]], and allied organizations. The first prize for excellence in printing was awarded to it in 1987 by the All India Printers' Conference.<ref>[http://www.ts-adyar.org/content/theosophical-publishing-house# The Theosophical Publishing House web page]</ref>

== History ==

[[Annie Besant]] established the press in 1909 as a private enterprise using equipment imported from England. A. K. Sitarama Sastri was the first manager.<ref>C. Jinarājadāsa, ''The Golden Book of the Theosophical Society: 1875-1925'' (Adyar, Madras, India: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1925), 233.</ref> [[Clara Codd]] described him as "a dear, old Indian member" who had known [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky|Madame Blavatsky]]. "Type was set up under his direction by little boys of twelve, who did not know a word of the language they were printing."<ref>Clara Codd, ''So Rich a Life'' (Pretoria: Institute for Theosophical Publicity, 1956), 120.</ref>

When Mrs. Besant died in 1933 the press and its building became the property of the Theosophical Society. "In 1968 the foundation stone for a new building was laid and this was completed in 1970 and in that year the Press moved into its present quarters."<ref>"Vasanta Press" in [https://theosophy.world/encyclopedia/vasanta-press Theosophy World].</ref> A new printing press was purchased from Germany and was installed in 1975. On June 6, a puja ceremony was held to dedicate the equipment, and a photograph of the occasion was labeled, "A happy gathering at the entrance of the Press to receive the President [John B. S. Coats]. K. R. is enjoying a joke made by the local representative of Heidelburg, Mr. Pradhan and on the the right is Mr. DeSilva who came from Bombay to install the machine."

[[James S. Perkins]] described the Press in a booklet about Adyar published in 1975:
<blockquote>
The Vasanta Press is now housed in its new building in Besant Gardens, to which it moved in 1971. This building is designed for efficient working of the various departments. Storage space on modern lines is provided, and amenities include a lunch and rest centre, and a covered parking area for the workmen's bicycles.

The institution is equipped with two Heidelberg Presses and two mon casting units, also offset equipment, and it is planned to add a filmsetter unit. The Press can now reprint books in any language of the world. it employs a labour force, permanent and casual, of over 50 persons, prints not only the the Theosophical Publishing House, but also the publications of the Adyar Library, and meets the many printing needs of the Society. ''The Theosophist'' and ''The Adyar Newsletter'' are produced at the Vasanta Press.<ref>James S. Perkins, '''''Adyar: the international headquarters of the Theosophical Society''''' (Adyar, Madras, India, Theosophical Publishing House, 1965), 19.</ref>
</blockquote>

<br>
<center><gallery>
File:Typesetting at Vasanta Press.jpg|<center>Typesetting at Vasanta Press, 1950s</center>
File:Vasanta Press - new printing press 1975.jpg|<center>New printing press, 1975</center>
File:Vasanta Press - new printing press 1975 - reverse.jpg|<center>Notes about 1975 event</center>
File:Puja -dedicating new press.jpg|<center>Puja ceremony, dedicating new press, 1975</center>
File:Vasanta Press, 1975.jpg|<center>Exterior, 1975</center>
File:Vasanta Press .jpg|<center>Exterior, 1980</center>
</gallery></center>

== Publications of the Press ==
From the beginning, Vasanta Press has served as the principal printing facility for the [[Theosophical Publishing House (Adyar)|Theosophical Publishing House in Adyar]], and for the everyday needs of the Society, printing everything from books and periodicals to leaflets and lecture flyers. It also printed the publications of the [[Society for the Promotion of National Education]] and other ancillary groups.

Here is an example of a folded bookmark from the early history of the press. It features [[Annie Besant]], President of the Society, on the front, a bit of advertising on the back, and a centerfold calendar in an unusual format. The bookmark was sold at a price of one anna.
<br>
<center><gallery>
File:Vasanta Press Bookmark Front.jpg|<center>Bookmark front</center>
File:Vasanta Press Bookmark Calendar.jpg|<center>Bookmark center</center>
File:Vasanta Press Bookmark Back.jpg|<center>Bookmark back</center>
</gallery></center>

==Online resources==
*[https://theosophy.world/encyclopedia/vasanta-press Vasanta Press] at Theosophy World.
*[http://books.google.com/books?id=5aFVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PR39&lpg=PR39&dq=theosophy+%22Vasanta+Press%22&source=bl&ots=n-T-NfpZaF&sig=Z63sDs_uJ0hdOu5gN5PbDaPrBW8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=BfHJUIGKHYSzqQHr7oGgDw&ved=0CFQQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=theosophy%20%22Vasanta%20Press%22&f=false# The Vasanta Press] by Annie Besant, Supplement to ''The Theosophist'', vol 29, June 1908.

== Notes ==
<references/>
[[Category:Commercial enterprises]]
[[Category:Publishing companies]]
[[Category:TS Adyar]]

[[es:Imprenta Vasanţā]]