No Odisha tableau in Republic Day parade for two years

No Odisha tableau featured in Republic Day parade for two consecutive years – 2018 and 2019, as the tableau from the state has failed to clear the Republic Day test each time.

The last time Odisha made it to the Republic Day parade in New Delhi was in 2017 when we showcased the state’s culture through a tableau. In 2017, Odisha’s tableau was based on the Dola Jatra, one of the most celebrated festivals of our state which is observed during the Hindu month of Falguna.

According to reports, the Centre had asked all States to prepare tableaux for Republic Day parade with a theme on “Gandhi Connect” to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi this year. However, the expert committee formed under the Ministry of Defence did not give its approval to the five designs prepared by Odisha during its first meeting held recently.

The panel has selected tableaux from 14 States while the designs of States like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Kerala have been rejected.

Last year also, the Centre had rejected Odisha’s tableau that depicted Brahmapur’s famous Thakurani Yatra.

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