[Watch] Tableau Featuring Odisha’s Empowered Women & Its Artistic Legacy Rolls Down Kartavya Path On R-Day

New Delhi: The tableau of Odisha, depicting women empowerment as well as the state’s rich handicraft and handloom, accompanied by Sambalpuri dancers rolled down Kartavya Path during 75th Republic Day celebrations on Friday in New Delhi, after a gap of three years.

“A fusion of timeless traditions and modernity, Odisha’s tableau brought to life the ethos, essence and values of Odisha in the heart of the capital. A moment of great pride, particularly for all Odias to witness the talent and entrepreneurial skills of Nari Shakti of Odisha at the grand stage of Republic Day,” Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who was present on the occasion, posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The 45-ft long, 14-ft wide and 16-ft high tableau has two components – a replica of 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) and women artisans of Raghurajpur village in Puri. It highlights their contribution to the global positioning of heritage crafts village of Raghurajpur in Puri district and its artistic legacy, the exquisite ‘Pattachitra’ art and their entrepreneurial skills in selling the handicrafts online.

The theme gets pronounced with the intricately-made Kandarpa Hathi as it depicts the unsurmountable grit, determination, skill and talent of women artists of Raghurajpur.

The tableau has been designed by eminent artists Gajendra Sahoo and Kirti Kishore Maharana.