Floats highlighted a slice of India’s cultural legacy
The Republic Day parade, which this year was shortened to 90 minutes from the regular 115 minutes, saw participation of a total of 23 tableaux with 17 of them belonging to various states and Union Territories. The parade had last been shortened in 2005 by the then UPA government by 45 minutes.
Delhi again did not have any representation in this segment of the parade. This is the third consecutive year that the country’s capital failed to secure a place for its tableau in the parade. The city had last participated with a tableau in the 2013 Republic Day parade when it had highlighted its diverse culture.
The tableaux highlighted a slice of India’s cultural legacy and unconventional cultural roots, innovations and military might during the parade.
Rare natural abode of Asiatic lions in Gir, Madhya Pradesh’s white tiger safari, works of Dr B.R. Ambedkar and initiatives like Swachh Bharat and Digital India were among the themes for the tableaux. Six tableaux from the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment, new and renewable energy, drinking water and sanitation, communication and IT, panchayati raj and the Election Commission also took part in the ceremonial parade.
The maritime activities in ancient Orissa, coupled with popular folk dance Dalkhai of the state, were showcased. The tableau presented the past maritime activities and its glorious tradition of Boita-Bandana festival. Ancient Orissa, popularly known as Kalinga, was the epicentre of inland and foreign trade and the tableau depicted that tradition.
The Jammu and Kashmir float depicted rural development through technology and economic activities, besides making villages clean and green. The state’s theme was “Mera Gaon Mera Jahan (My village my world),” which is a flagship scheme of the government under the Clean and Green Mission 2015-16.
The VIP guests were given a glimpse of Dalkhai, a folk dance from Sambalpur of western Orissa. About 140 schoolgirls from the capital presented the dance on Rajpath to the tune of the popular folk music of the state. Dalkhai dance depicts the culture and tradition of tribal girls.
The tableau of West Bengal, which highlighted the famous Baul culture of the state, also attracted attention of the spectators.
Bauls of Bengal are a community of wandering minstrels, who follows a distinctive spiritual and musical tradition that had its roots in Bhakti and Sufi movements.
The Baul tradition was included in the list of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity” by Unesco in 2005. The folk singers, coming from both Hindu and Muslim communities, spread the ideals of peace, brotherhood and mystic philosophy through simple words and metaphors in their singing. The Baul genre also helps convey social messages in rural Bengal.
