Highs & lows: Tale of Delhi’s tableaux
DEPICTING THE CITY Over the last 25 years, the state has showcased its tableaux only 11 times. This year the state float will showcase transformation in the education sector
NEWDELHI: In 1995, Delhi’s tableau failed to make the cut to the Republic Day parade for the third time in a row after the Ministry of Defence (MoD) rejected the national Capital’s proposal.
The BJP-ruled state government had wanted to depict Delhi ruler Prithviraj Chauhan’s march against central Asian invader Mohammad Ghori in the 12th century.
The then chief minister, Madan Lal Khurana, was furious and made his sentiments public through the media.
States have to go through a strict scrutiny before the MoD’s Tableau Selection Committee (TSC) gives them a go-ahead to present their tableaux at the parade.
Over the last 25 years, the Capital has showcased its tableaux only 11 times.
A former senior government official, on the condition of anonymity, said the rejections came on several grounds. Sometimes the Centre didn’t want states to promote their governance model so the application was dismissed. And sometimes, bad aesthetics marred the chances.
“The year 1995 was no exception. The committee comprises eminent scholars, artists, and experts from various fields to decide on the subject proposed by a state. Delhi’s idea was sent to the committee after getting a nod of the chief minister. Sometimes, the idea is turned down,” said MS Sehrawat, media adviser, New Delhi Municipal Council, who was posted as deputy director in the Directorate of Press and Information in Delhi for over 15 years.
In 1992, the committee disapproved the theme of the float based on the trial of Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. When media highlighted the issue, it caught the nation’s attention. It was only after the intervention of then Prime Minister, PV Narasimha Rao, that Delhi got an approval on January 17.
“We had only nine days. But we worked round-the-clock and managed to prepare a tableaux just in time,” said Sehrawat.
Delhi’s tableau was introduced for the first time during the third Republic Day celebration in 1952. The theme was centered on tales of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji.
On Thursday, Delhi’s tableau will make a comeback after three years. Set up as a model government school, the tableau will portray the transformation in staterun schools and the recent initiatives of the Aam Aadmi Party government in the field of education.
For the 1,100-odd sculptors, carpenters, painters, technicians and designers at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp, where floats from the 17 selected states and six Central government agencies are being given final touches, the next few hours are a mix of immense pressure and nervousness.
The Capital’s float this year has been made at a cost of ₹25 lakh, whereas the cost of some other tableaux ran up to ₹1 crore, Adhikary said.
It is the fate of these floats after the Republic Day that pains artistes the most – all the tableaux are dismantled and sold as scrap.
Despite the neglect the tableaux face after the D-day, the numerous artists who come from across the country to build these mega moving showpieces, it’s a lifetime opportunity they don’t want to miss. TO rEAD tHE FuLL stOry CLICK ON HINDustANtIMEs.COM The LCA Tejas will take part in the fly past at the parade. The Indian Air Force has already raised its first LCA squadron and plans to deploy 123 such single-engine locally built fighters.
A regular feature at the parade, India has a fleet of around 900 T-90s tanks and plans to expand it to 1,600-plus in the next three years.
The BrahMos missile provides India the capability to hit targets 290km away at nearly three times the speed of sound. It’s the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile.
A marching contingent from UAE will lead the parade. This will be the second time that foreign troops will march down Rajpath. French troops took part in last year’s parade. Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Gujrat, Lakshwadeep, Karnataka, Delhi, etc
61 cavalry of 51 horses 3 Tank T-90, Three BMPII/IIK, 2 BRAHMOS, One WLR Swathi, One CBRN Recce Veh (New), 2 Tpt Satl Terminal (TST) DCN, 2 AKASH, 1 DHANUSH Gun System Mechanised infantry, Bihar, 39 GTC, 58 GTC, Madras Engr GP (Meg), Territorial Army
Naval Brass Band, Navy marching contingent, Navy tableau
Air Force Marching Contingent, Air Force band, vehicular column
Crown prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE 1992: Trial of last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar at Lal Quila before he was sent to Rangoon.
1996: The float was designed on a theme of Education for All.
1999: Chandni Chowk as symbol of national integration.
2000: Homage to Kargil martyrs. 2001: Renovated haveli of Mirza Ghalib in Ballimaran inaugurated in 2000.
2002: Phool Walon ki Sair, a symbol of communal harmony.
2003: Delhi Metro operations.
2004: 13th century poet Amir Khusro. 2008: Stree Shakti, which showcased the efforts being made to empower the women by the Delhi govt.
2011: Themed on cultural and religious harmony.
2013: Showcased Delhi as ‘The cultural hub of the country’. Twirling dervishes, a house sparrow, a gigantic Kathak dancer in white salwarkameez were used to show the multi-cultural tradition of Delhi.