This year, 17 out of the 32 tableaux represented various states and union territories, while the rest were of the central ministries and departments.
To honour the day that the Constitution of India came into effect, our country is celebrating its 72nd Republic Day this year. However, India’s biggest ceremonial event at Rajpath took place under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic with a different look this year. Following every year’s tradition, the Ministry of Defence this year also organised a parade in the National Capital, bringing forth the country’s rich diversity and cultural heritage.
As India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day, a total of 32 tableaux were rolled down the Rajpath, showcasing a story or a scene from history. Apart from the Armed Forces of the country, different states and ministries also participate in the parade through their tableaux in order to represent their achievements in the form of history or culture.
The Ministry of Defence every year takes the sole responsibility of the selection of the tableaux for the Republic Day Parade. The tableaux are selected on basis of a number of guidelines, including the representation of some historical event, culture, heritage, development programmes, and environment. This year, 17 out of the 32 tableaux represented various states and union territories, while the rest were of the central ministries and departments.
Here’s a list of some of the tableaux of different states that participated in the Republic Day Parade this year depicting the geographical and rich cultural diversity of the country.
1. Ladakh:
The display of cultural tableaux began with Ladakh’s first-ever tableau which depicted the culture & communal harmony besides art & architecture, languages & dialects, customs & costumes, fairs & festivals, literature, music.
2. Punjab:
The tableau of Punjab showcased the glory of the 9th Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. The tableau has the theme ‘400th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur‘. The end of the trailer shows Gurdwara Sri Rakab Ganj Sahib, the site of the cremation of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
3. Uttar Pradesh:
Designed after the theme ‘Ayodhya: Cultural Heritage of Uttar Pradesh‘, the tableau of Uttar Pradesh also displayed Ram Mandir. The forepart of the middle tableau showed Deepotsava of Ayodhya, in which millions of earthen lamps were lit.
4. Uttarakhand:
Uttarakhand presented its tableau with the theme ‘Kedarkhand’. The tableau also showcased the state’s animal ‘Mrig Kasturi’.
5. Gujarat:
A replica of the Sun Temple at Modhera was displayed on the Gujarat tableau that depicted the Sabhamandap, part of the Sun Temple. It’s 52 pillars denoted 52 weeks of a Solar year.
6. Assam:
The state is known for its special tea throughout the world and therefore, the theme of the tableaux of Assam on this Republic Day was ‘Tea – The Backbone of the State Economy’.
7. West Bengal:
The theme of the tableau of West Bengal was ‘Sabooj Saathi’ or the green companion this year. The purpose behind showcasing this theme was to show powerful tools for access to higher education.
8. Delhi:
The theme of the tableau was ‘Shahjahanabad- Redevelopment of Chandni Chowk’ which re-imagines inclusive streets with urban public plazas.
9. Tripura:
The theme of the tableau of the state of Tripura was ‘Eco-Friendly AtmaNirbhar’, which celebrated the state’s eco-friendly tribal culture and the importance of bamboo.
10. Maharashtra:
Maharashtra this year, represented the tableau on the theme of ‘Saints of Maharashtra’ which highlighted the influence of the Bhakti Movement which promoted equality and brotherhood.
11. Tamil Nadu:
Tamil Nadu presented its tableau showcasing the Shore Temple and other monuments of Pallava Dynasty.
12. Kerala:
With its tableau theme as – ‘Coir of Kerala’, the tableau of Kerala displayed the state animal elephant with the rich flora of coconut and palm.