Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s tableau has not been selected for this year’s Republic Day parade on January 26, 2026, at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.
According to sources, the Ministry of Defence has approved the state’s proposal, allowing it to showcase its vibrant heritage alongside tableaux from 16 other states and Union Territories. The Centre has directed the chief secretaries of selected states to finalise and complete their tableaux by January 19, 2026, to allow for rehearsals and preparations.
Odisha’s inclusion comes as part of the ongoing rotational system introduced by the Defence Ministry to ensure fair participation across states over a three-year cycle (2024-2026). This mechanism, agreed upon by 28 states and UTs, aims to give every region an opportunity to highlight its unique identity.
This year, the parade will showcase two overarching themes — ‘The Mantra of Self-Reliance – Vande Mataram’ and ‘The Mantra of Prosperity – Atma Nirbhar Bharat’, highlighting India’s growing confidence in indigenous innovation, rising economic strength.
Sources further stated that Odisha government is planning to feature the state’s rich cultural traditions and artistic legacy through its tableau, emphasising elements that reflect local craftsmanship and folklore.
Speaking to a local channel, Gajendra Sahoo, eminent painter, said Kirti Kishore Maharana is working on the tableau under his supervision and it would feature the Konark Sun Temple, famous for its architectural grandeur and intricate stone carvings, Pattachaitra, Koraput coffee and silver filigree works.
Chaiti ghoda nacha, one of the popular folk dance forms of Odisha, will also be staged. “Nigam Mishra has written a song, which has been composed by Sanjay Choudhary for it,” he added.
Interestingly, Odisha’s tableau, showcasing women’s empowerment in Raghurajpur heritage village and a ‘Kandarpa Hati’, not only rolled on Kartavya Path during Republic Day parade in 2024 after a gap of three years, but also won the best tableau award in the state category. It was designed by Sahoo and Maharana.
Though Odisha could not make it to the selected list in 2025, the state’s artistes exhibited its colourful folk dance and music forms at the parade.
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