New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: In a disappointment for both artists and people of Odisha, tableau of the state has not been included in this year’s Republic Day parade.
According to official sources, the Ministry of Defence did not shortlist the state’s tableau proposal for January 26 parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi after five rounds of the selection process. Instead it will be showcased at ‘Bharat Parv’, which is part of the Republic Day celebrations, being organised from January 26 to 31 near the Red Fort.
The reason for exclusion has not been officially disclosed and the state government authorities also refused to comment on the issue.
Tableau of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Union Territories of Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and Chandigarh will participate in the Republic Day parade, the sources added.
A total of 34 states and union territories had sent their proposals to the Expert Committee, comprising eminent persons in the field of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography, constituted under the Ministry of Defence. Mizoram and Sikkim had expressed their inability to participate this time, while officials of Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with Lakshadweep did not turn up for the expert committee meeting.
Notably, Odisha tableau, depicting the artistry of Pattachitra of Raghurajpur by women and the income generated, garnered national attention during Republic Day Parade 2024 in New Delhi. It was adjudged the Best-1 in the state category.
