India is awaiting to celebrate its 71st Republic Day on January 26th, 2020. The whole nation is preparing for its grand success. 

The Assam government will showcase the bamboo and cane crafts in its tableau during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. ‘Bhortal Nritya’ is also part of the tableau. The dance is a discovery of Sattriya artist Narahari Burha Bhakat.

In Assam, a variety of products are made from bamboo and cane, like mats, baskets winnowers, sieves, japi (traditional umbrella) and various fishing implement.

On the other hand, Meghalaya will showcase the double-decker living root bridge in its tableau for the Republic Day parade. They are handmade from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees (Ficus elastica) by the Khasi and Jaintia peoples of the mountainous terrain along the southern part of the Shillong Plateau. Some of these bridges are claimed to be over 200 years old.

For Republic Day Parade 2020, a total of 56 tableaux proposals (32 from States/UTs and 24 from Ministries/Departments) were received. Out of these, 22 proposals, comprising of 16 States/UTs and 6 Ministries/Departments, have finally been shortlisted for participation in the Republic Day Parade 2020.

There is a well-established system for selection of tableaux for participation in the Republic Day Parade as per which Ministry of Defence invites proposals for tableau from all States/UTs and Central Ministries/Departments.

The tableaux proposals received from various States/UTs and Central Ministries/Departments are evaluated in a series of meetings of the Expert Committee comprising of eminent persons in the field of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography etc.

The Expert Committee examines the proposals on the basis of theme, concept, design and its visual impact before making its recommendations.

Photo credit: PIB