With the Capital bracing up to host the Commonwealth Games later this year, the Union Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry’s tableau will display a model of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and the mascot “Shera” during the Republic Day Parade at Rajpath.
The tableau will also highlight the fact that the Commonwealth Games will be the first “green games” with all venues incorporating eco-friendly features.
Among the State tableaux, Jammu and Kashmir will showcase a range of crafts. From wood carving to carpet weaving, the tableau will depict exotic crafts that reflect the artisan’s affinity to nature.
The ubiquitous ‘dabbawalas’ of Mumbai, who deliver a mind boggling two lakh lunch boxes daily, will be highlighted in Maharashtra’s tableau. Fourteen ‘dabbawalas’ will show how they collect lunch boxes from railway stations and deliver them to offices across the metropolitan city.
“A video will also show the visit of Prince Charles to the headquarters of the dabbawalas. He had to be fit into their schedule as their timing was too precise to permit any flexibility,” said an official at Rashtriya Rangshala Camp in Delhi Cantonment on Friday.
Karnataka will display the finest example of temple architecture from Pattadakal, a world heritage site of art recognised by UNESCO. “The temple architecture is a fine blend of Dravidian and Nagara style. While one structure is a replica of the Kashi Vishveshwara temple, the other is the Mallikarjuna temple,” said an official of the State.
The tableau will be preceded by a group of artistes performing the folk dance “Dollukunitha”.
The Goa tableau will showcase the “International Film Festival of India” highlighting the GMC Heritage Building. A replica of the heritage building -- famous for its Gothic style architecture that was built by the Portuguese about 400 years ago -- has been designed aesthetically by tableau chief artiste Sushant Khedekar.
Mizoram will display its hand-woven handicrafts. “Handicraft is the main source of our livelihood and is the biggest small-scale industry. As our State is known as the land of bamboo, we will showcase bamboo baskets and other products. We are exporting bamboo to other States and sent truck-loads of bamboo to Tamil Nadu during the Tsunami,” says Mizoram public relation officer Vanlalsangi.
Kerala is depicting Padayani, a ritualistic festival that is celebrated in the central parts of the State. A 20-member Padayani team will illustrate the vibrancy of this traditional art form. The tableau will also feature a colourful performance by Padayani figures in front of the Kali temple.
