Down to 18 but tableaux set to add colour to the Republic’s arms,again

Orissa,Rajasthan and Assam will showcase wildlife. While the tableau from Assam focuses on life in Kaziranga National Park with sounds of birds and langoors filling the air,the Rajasthan tableau displays the wild and harsh beauty of Ranthambore National Park,complete with the model of a tiger.

Orissa will encapsulate the beauty of the sacred hills of Khandagiri and Udayagiri,famous for their magnificent ancient caves with ornate carvings and natural beauty. And with a new chief minister holding fort in Srinagar,Jammu and Kashmir would display its shikaras and houseboats,reminding the nation of its natural beauty as the state tries to get back on track and attract tourists.

Taking a leaf out of history,Madhya Pradesh will meanwhile remember Tantya Bhil — the “Indian Robin Hood” in the Chambal forests — who epitomised courage while fighting the British.

With its tableau painted by women in images from Madhubani folk paintings,Bihar would showcase the state’s rich Maithili culture this year. With elephants kept away from the Republic Day celebrations this year,life-size elephants cast in fibre glass will be seen on the Kerala tableau,depicting “Pooram” — an annual temple festival held between Thrissur and Palakkad districts.

Andhra Pradesh recalls Telugu poet Tallapaka Annamacharya through its tableau.

Moving away from culture and heritage,Uttarakhand has adventure tourism as its theme — life-size images of enthusiasts doing river rafting,skiing,ice-skating,rock climbing and paragliding are on display.

Delhi is absent this year,too — the last Delhi tableau to float down the Rajpath was in 2007,with women’s empowerment being the theme.

Six central ministries and departments are putting up their floats this time. While the Indian Railways will showcase the Jammu-Baramulla train link that finally took the railways to the Valley,the National Disaster Management Authority tableau depicts help reaching out to an earthquake-stricken area,as a reminder of its services after the Kosi floods earlier this year. The Power Ministry is showcasing its rural electrification projects,and the Science and Technology department tableau shows India’s achievements in the field of astronomy.