Seventeen States and Six Central Ministries to showcase their tableaux in Republic Day Parade – 2017

This year Republic Day Parade on Rajpath will witness tableaux from 17 States and Six Ministries of the Central Government. These tableaux will showcase varied themes starting from country’s rich cultural heritage and socio-economic development to nation’s progress in key areas like IT, Women, Empowerment and Environment Protection. A brief write-up on each tableaux highlighting its significance is given below:

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. On Falguna Dashami, the idols of village deities, especially that of Lord Krishna, are carried on a small decorated wooden temple called Bimana in a procession to all houses in the village. The procession of people, smeared with Abira (violet coloured powder), moves from one house to another while rejoicing and dancing with the traditional music and songs. 

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. The discovery of the Yak resolved the family’s internal property disputes and provided a permanent source of prosperity to the entire community.  This dance portrays the joy of the people upon finding the Yak and it signifies the presence of health, wealth and happiness of the Mahayana Buddhist tribes, who believe that performing this dance would relieve them of all their complications and anxieties.

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. He started publishing his newspapers, the ‘Mahratta’ and ‘Kesari’.  With a view to bring about social awakening and unity in the fight against the foreign rule, he initiated the celebrations of ‘Ganeshotsav’ and also the ‘Shivjayanti Utsav’. This year the tradition of celebrating Ganeshotsav as begun by him would be completing 125 successful years.

Lokmanya Tilak understood the importance of physical education and hence, encouraged it alongwith other social reforms. He was one of the strongest advocates of ‘Swaraj’ or Self Rule for India. His famous slogan ‘SWARAJ IS MY BIRTH RIGHT AND I SHALL HAVE IT’ served as an inspiration for future revolutionaries of India’s struggle for freedom. The Maharashtra tableau depicts the commemoration of the 160th birth anniversary of this great man of India.

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.  These divinities are referred to as Umag Lais or Sylvan Gods as their abodes are located in a wooded area. The sacred ceremonies are conducted by Maibis or priestesses who are adept in dance and sacred rituals. The common people also dance as an act of worship to the accompaniment of the traditional stringed instruments (pena) and drums (langdeng pung).

            The Manipur tableau is an effort to recreate the ambience of this quaint and rich cultural tradition with a replica of the deities, elaborate traditional paraphernalia and live dancing by the devotees as well as a Maibi (priestess) performing the sacred dance to awaken the God from his slumber.

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. On the back side of the tableau people using Motchi (Cobbler) embroidery art and Dabda, Kutchi camel covered with embroidery work fabric, Rogan art work and the residence of Kutch people Bhunga is shown.

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. Kavaratti is its Administrative Headquarter. Lakshadweep is the best of its kind “Adventure Sport – Nature Tourism” location that owns world’s premier diving spots, rich eco-system, marine wealth, coral reefs, silver sandy beaches, virgin environment, & pristine waters.

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.  It is followed by the sword wielding warriors who are seen performing a dance while others carrying cymbals follow in circles.  With those beating drums, a dancer attired in attractive mask forms the ensemble of Somas dancers to make the visual presentation complete.

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.  Both teachers and students, have responded well to these changes. Under a special programme, students are also taught music, theatre, fine arts, creative writing and photography by experts. These Model Schools are now at par with the private schools as is reflected in the enthusiasm of the teachers and students alike.

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.  Rasleela, Astanayika and scenes from ancient legends and myths are generally depicted on Rumal.The Himachal tableau represents the essence of this wonderful craft.

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. They are killed in the womb. Even if they survive foetal death, they are exposed to numerous threats such as physical assaults, exploitation and dowry deaths to name a few.

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. It has seen immense development in women empowerment in various spheres of life like education, sports, services sector etc.

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. The art motif extends to elaborate interior and exteriors of Puja pandals, executed by trained artists, with stylized elements and carefully executed presentation of crafts and culture.

PUNJAB

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. A pot (Gaagar) decorated with oil lamps and carried on the head is used while dancing and singing Jago songs.  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.  The Karagam dancers perform entertaining dance movements to the beat of drums balancing with the Karagam on their head. 

GOA

Musical Heritage of