India is celebrating its 68th Republic Day today and the country’s military might and diversity is at full display on the majestic Rajpath.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, is India’s guest at Republic Day celebrations this year. He, along with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will witness the parade at the Rajpath where the country will show its rich cultural heritage and diversity with tableaux.
The Republic Day Parade on Rajpath will witness tableaux from 17 states and six ministries of the Union government. Here are the details:
Odisha- Dola Jatra
The tableau of Odisha depicts ‘Dola Jatra’ – a popular festival celebrated in the state. This festival signifies the journey of Goddess Radha & Lord Krishna for ultimate union in the tradition of Bhakti cult.
‘Dola Jatra’ coincides with the Holi festival that takes place on Falguna Dashami before full moon day in the midst of February-March. The worship of Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna is the pivotal event during this six-day long festival.
Arunachal Pradesh- Yak Dance
The tableau depicts the Yak Dance, one of the most famous pantomimes of the Mahayana sect of Buddhist Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. The masked dancer represents the members of a family who are said to have discovered the Yak with the help of a magical bird hundreds of years ago. The Yak is the most useful animal of these tribes owing its multipurpose uses.
Maharashtra- Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak
This year is being commemorated as the 160th birth anniversary of the honoured freedom fighter, Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak. Known popularly as Lokmanaya, meaning revered by the people, Tilak was one of the first leaders of the Indian Independence movement. A freedom activist and a social reformer, he was also a mathematician, news reporter, editor, writer and orator. He committed himself to bring about awakening in the society and nation building so as to liberate India from the oppressive rule of the British.
Manipur- Lai Haraoba
Lai Haraoba is one of the oldest ritualistic theatres of the world jealously preserved by the Meitei community of Manipur with utmost awe and sanctity. The entire community participates in it with complete devotion.
Lai Haraoba, translated as ‘Happiness of the Gods’ is celebrated to worship local deities to bring prosperity and well-being of the land and its inhabitants.
Gujarat- The Art and Lifestyle of Kutch
Gujarat’s Kutch district is renowned all over the world for its art and lifestyle. 16 different types of embroidery is done here. The Rogan art, Mud work and the art of making Bhunga gives Kutch a unique identity across the globe.
The main subject of Tableau is the ‘The Art and Lifestyle of Kutch’. Hence the woman doing the embroidery work is shown on the front part of the tableau in symbolic form.
Lakshadweep- An Unexplored Tourist Destination
Lakshadweep or “Laksha – Dweep” – A Hundred Thousand Islands – as defined in Sanskrit, consists of 36 islands un-evenly spread in the Arabian Sea. The tiniest Union Territory of India formed in 1956 is located 220-440 Km off the Kerala coast.
Karnataka- Folk Dances
Famous for its traditional arts and folk dances, the state of Karnataka presents traditional folk dances of the state in this year’s Republic Day Parade tableau. The tableau showcases the Goravas, the worshippers of Lord Shiva engaged in the traditional ritualistic dance. They are adorned with unique caps made of bear’s hair, who dance to the beats of drums and blowing flute.
NCT of Delhi- Model Government School of Delhi
The tableau of Delhi portrays the transformation of School Education in the Nation, particularly the recent initiatives taken for quality enhancement in the field. A good education lays the foundation of a good future. In its bid to improve the quality of education, the Government of Delhi has been transforming Government Schools into Model Schools. The infrastructure of the schools have been upgraded and quality of education improved.
The tableau of Delhi demonstrates the evolution of the concept of ‘Model Schools’.
Himachal Pradesh- Chamba Rumal
Chamba Rumal is the finest specimen of Pahari art flourishing in Chamba town of Himachal Pradesh during late 18th century. Hand woven satin cloth is embroidered with untwisted silken thread in double stitch that comes the same on both sides known as do-rukha.
Haryana- Beti Bachao – Beti Padhao
Beti Bachao – Beti Padhao is a relevant issue of our country. In earlier days girls were mostly denied higher education and pushed into early marriage. Even today, women have to suffer a lot as a consequence of girls discrimination against them. In many villages, the girls are neither treated at par with the boys, nor allowed education beyond primary level.
Prime Minister of India has laid stress on the need of educating and evaluating the girl child. On this front Haryana has been spearheading this moment.
West Bengal- Sharod Utsav
The appearance of pristine-white “Kashphool” in the backdrop of the greenery of rural Bengal in autumn (sharad), signals the advent of the festive season of Durga Puja, also known as “Sharod Utsav”.
Sharod Utsav in Bengal is no longer a mere religious festival but has ascended a higher plane, embracing the entire community in the state and across India and the world. It has also become one of the largest outdoor art carnivals in the world.
Punbab- Jago Aaiya
“JAGO” literally means “Wake Up”. Centuries ago invitations were not sent to invite people to wedding ceremony. Jago is a festive dance full of energy and celebrations which would take place the night before a Punjabi Wedding.
Relatives of the bride or groom would go around the village so also encourage people to wake-up and join in the festivities. The tableau is based on the theme of “JAGO”.
Tamil Nadu- Karakattam
‘Karakattam’, a popular folk dance of Tamil Nadu forms an important event in temple festival celebrations especially in Amman Temple festivals in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu.
‘Karakattam’ is one of the old folk dances, in which the dancers hold, balance and dance with a brass pot decorated in cone shape with colourful flowers and adorned with a parrot made of light wood on the top of it.
Goa- Musical Heritage of Goa
Sangodd is the larger platform formed by combining two or more canoes.
Like the Sangodd, the musical heritage of Goa has different influences from the various regimes. The tableau depicts this rich musical heritage through various musical instruments and dance.
Tripura- Hojagiri
Hojagiri – A Magnificent Reang Tribal Dance of Tripura is presented as the theme of the Tripura State Tableau.
It is performed by women and young girls, about 4 to 6 members in a team, singing, balancing on an earthen pitcher and managing other props such as a bottle on the head and earthen lamp on the hand while only the lower half of the body is moved.
Jammu & Kashmir- Winter Sports at Gulmarg
The tableau of Jammu & Kashmir showcases Winter Sports at Gulmarg, a world famous tourist destination of the state Jammu & Kashmir. During the chilling winter season, the snow-clad hill station of Gulmarg situated at high altitude of 2650 m becomes an attractive winter sports destination that draws tourists from all over the world.
Assam- Kamakhya Temple
The tableau of Assam portrays the holy shrine of Kamakhya that renders prominence to its capital metropolis – Guwahati.
Established atop Nilachal hills in Guwahati, the Kamakhya shrine is considered as one of the greatest Shaktipeeths of the country. During the Ambubachi festival, the temple draws worshippers from the whole of India and abroad. Kamakhya temple is different from other temples as it has no image or idol for worship.
Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC)- Goods and Service Tax
Goods & Services Tax which aims to subsume a multitude of taxes is the single biggest tax reform initiative undertaken since independence.
With the enactment of the 122nd Constitutional Amendment Act on 8th of September, 2016, this reform has been given momentum. The Government intends to introduce GST very soon all over the country.
Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME)- Khadi India
The tableau coming next is of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises based on Khadi & Village Industries Commission. Khadi for many is just a fabric, but it is a fabric that is instrumental in freeing us from the oppression of buying British mill-made cotton while Indian weavers starved. Mahatma Gandhi rediscovered the Charkha and made it not only a symbol of self-reliance for Indians but at the same time providing a source of employment in rural India, a tradition which continues even today.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Allevation-Housing for All
The next tableau of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and National Housing Bank depicts Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) launched by the ministry on 25th June 2015. The mission envisages a pucca house to every Indian by the year 2022, in partnership with the States/UT.
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
The next tableau is of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) highlighting the major CSIR outcomes, depicted as decade wise sparks from the CSIR wheel with its 38 national laboratories, highlighting its global standing.
CPWD- Green India – Clean India
The next tableau is of CPWD which is depicts the concept of “Green India – Clean India”. It is prepared with different colourful and fragment flowers with message for the clean and green nation. Environment is the most precious element of life. Message is for all, right from metros to rural areas. These kinds of awareness have enhanced the quality of human life at every level.
Ministry of Skill Development- Transforming India through Skill Development
The next tableau of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is based on the theme “Transforming India through Skill Development”, highlights the achievement of the Ministry and its programs. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship aims to coordinate skill development efforts across the country and build a vocational and technical training framework.
