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National

India’s cultural diversity on show

Staff Reporter

The Republic Day parade will showcase 26 tableaux from across the country

NEW DELHI: Palpable excitement and a splash of colours marked the atmosphere at Delhi Cantonment on Tuesday with artistes and participants from various States, Ministries and Government Departments busying themselves in last-minute preparations for the upcoming Republic Day Parade in the Capital.

While the artistes could be seen applying a fresh coat of paint to the tableaux and lending finishing touches, the dance performers practised tirelessly to match their steps to the sound of traditional music instruments played by folk artistes.

Of the 26 tableaux that will be showcased this year, 16 belong to the States while 10 are from Union Ministries and Government Departments.

The theme of the Kerala tableau revolves round the Onam festival. The tableau in the shape of a boat is flanked in front by Kerala’s celebrated emperor Mahabali. The design is meant to portray the charm and colour of Onam as well as its secular nature. The tableau also features a “Pulikali”(Tiger Dance) performance and “Thiruvathirakkali”, the customary dance form of Malayali women.

The Jammu and Kashmir tableau, participating for the 11th consecutive year, has the “Tulip Garden in Kashmir” as its theme. This exclusive garden conceived in 2007 was opened to the public by the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. The tableau is mounted on a tractor-trailer and depicts a Kashmiri woman dressed in traditional Kashmiri attire followed by rows of tulips in different colours. This concept has been developed by the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad, who has a special love for greenery and flowers. The Haryana tableau focuses on the State’s history, “Haryana-1857”. It showcases the sacrifices made by the people from the region during the First War of Independence and symbolises their famous tradition of bravery and courage. The first part of the tableau illustrates the scene of thousands of women and children jumping into a well in a bid to save their lives from the attacking British who completely destroyed their village Rohnat in district Hissar.

The rear part of the tableau depicts various scenes of freedom struggle including revolutionaries being blown off by canons of the British Army. The extreme end of the tableau displays revolving statues of four great warriors of the First War of Independence -- Raja Nahar Singh, Rao Tula Ram, Abdur Rahman Khan and Lala Hukam Chand Jain.

Meanwhile, last year’s winner of the best tableau award, Orissa, is all set for the competition this year as well with the theme of “Traditional Maritime Trade”. Keeping in mind Orissa’s glorious maritime history, the main float of the State tableau has been artistically designed resembling a boat, “Boita”, with a gigantic front of a swan head and a tail. A huge decorative box, “Sindhuka”, has been made on the tractor which was used for export of valuable materials. The front of the tableau consists of warrior dancers performing “Paika” dance with traditional costumes and music.

The Chhattisgarh tableau focuses on “Folk Instruments of Chhattisgarh” showcasing the State’s cultural diversity and folk music and dance tradition. Apart from 16 States, others participating this year include the Ministries of Rail, Coal, Panchayati Raj, Tribal Affairs, Health and Family Welfare. The Central Public Works Department and the Defence Research and Development Organisation are also among the participants this year.

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