New Delhi: Odisha was awarded the first prize in judge’s choice category for its tableau at the 75th Republic Day parade, at a ceremony in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Assistant Information Officer of Information and Public Relations Department Harprasad Mahapatra and eminent artist Kirti Kishore Maharana, who along with Gajendra Sahoo had designed the tableau, received the trophy and certificate from Minister of State for Tourism Ajay Bhatt.
Keeping with this year’s theme of Republic Day – ‘Bharat-Loktantra ki Matruka’ (India-Mother of Democracy) and ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India), Odisha showcased women’s empowerment at heritage crafts village of Raghurajpur and a ‘Kandarpa Hati’ (a popular Pattachitra design depicting Krishna Leela where nine women are entangled with each other to form the shape of an elephant) in its 45 feet long, 14 feet wide and 16 feet high tableau, which was accompanied by a group of 14 Sambalpuri dancers.
Also Read: Odisha Wins Best Tableau Award At 75th Republic Day Parade
While tableaus of 16 states and union territories rolled down Kartavya Path on Republic Day, those were judged in two categories. While the judge’s choice went to Odisha and people’s choice was won by Gujarat.
Notably, Odisha had won the second prize when it had participated last during the 71st Republic Day parade in New Delhi with a tableau on Rukuna Rath Yatra of Lingaraj Temple. It included a replica of the Lingaraj temple, Nandi (the bull) and the Rukuna Rath. Odissi artistes had also accompanied the tableau.
