The Republic Day parade in Delhi, taking place on 26 January at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, is the biggest celebration of Republic Day in India. Starting in 1950, it features a cultural festival that highlights a diverse but unified India over a span of three days. The celebration kicks off with the President raising the national flag, then continues with regimental marches, military bands, and state displays. The event wraps up with the beating retreat ceremony, representing national pride.
What Are The Criteria For Tableau?
The Ministry of Defence carries out the selection process for the tableaux, adhering to several guidelines. The ministry suggests that tableaux depict a historical occurrence, heritage, culture, development initiatives, and the environment. The displays should not feature any logos and must include some animation and sound.
Tableau Guidelines From Ministry Of Defence
The Ministry of Defence has revised their website with the selection criteria announcement containing the guidelines to be adhered to. The four points are inform about the enrollment and selection procedure.
The undersigned states that annually, chosen tableaux from State Governments, UT Administrations, and Central Ministries take part in the Republic Day Parade held in New Delhi.
The selection procedure is thorough and lengthy, as the Ministry of Defence establishes a Committee of art specialists to narrow down proposals. Thus, this directive initiates the request for tableau submissions for the Republic Day Parade 2024. Because of time limitations, only a few can be accepted, with awards given to the top three. The Ministry of Culture is set to soon complete a team for tableau design and production.
How Are Tableau Exhibited?
Invitations for proposals are extended to union ministries and departments of the Indian union government, as well as to the states and union territories of India, within a specified deadline. The suggestions are reviewed by a panel of specialists from artistic disciplines. The assessment procedure consists of 2 stages. The initial round offers recommendations for changes, following the assessment of the sketches and designs. The second phase assesses three-dimensional models, following which the committee delivers a final decision. In 2024, a system was implemented that allows each state and union territory to present their tableau at the Republic Day parade once every three years.
Key Considerations For Tableau
The Ministry of Defence will provide one tractor and one trailer at no cost for tableau creation, limiting the total to two vehicles in the design. Extra vehicles can be utilized, but they must be organized by the sponsoring authorities.
Each tableau may feature no more than twelve female performers, who are not allowed on the tractor. Ground elements may be incorporated if they align with the theme, pending approval from the Ministry. Proposals should include a drawing illustrating how the tractor relates to the tableau's theme, ensuring a distance of 6-7 feet for ease of movement.
If a folk dance is included in the tableau, it should be a true folk dance, featuring real costumes and instruments. The performances must maintain traditional authenticity and thematic coherence, with the inclusion of video clips recommended. Local artists possessing appropriate skills are preferred, and their qualifications need to be validated by authorized personnel prior to going to the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp.
The design agency needs to stay engaged for modifications. Specifications for the dimensions of trailers and tractors are given: trailers measure 24’8” in length, 8’ in width, and 42” in height, with a maximum load capacity of 10 tons. The maximum dimensions for the tableau should be 45’ in length, 14’ in width, and 16’ in height. Extra assistance for Expert Committee meetings should be solicited beforehand.
Rejection Of Delhi Tableau
This year, Delhi will again not feature a tableau in the traditional Republic Day parade at Rajpath. This would mark the fourth occasion that the national capital has been excluded -- a scenario that has reignited a war of words between Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP. Mr. Kejriwal, who has led the Delhi government for nearly ten years, spearheaded his party's criticism of the BJP -- his remarks influenced by the upcoming assembly election. Officials stated that Delhi's tableau last appeared in the Republic Day parade in 2021. It highlighted the redevelopment project of Shahjahanabad. The previous year as well, Delhi was prohibited from having a tableau in the parade. Senior AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj stated that this was the third consecutive occasion and asserted it was the BJP's "revenge" following their defeat to AAP in the Punjab assembly election.
