Selection of Tableaux on the Republic Day

Selection of Tableaux on the Republic Day

GS-1, 2: Art and Culture, Indian Polity

(UPSC/State PSC)

Important for prelims

Republic Day Parade, Selection of tableaux on Republic Day, Ministry of Defence, Developed India, India - Mother of Democracy, Constitution Day.

Important for mains

Process of selection of tableaux on Republic Day, guidelines for tableau models and artists, significance of Republic Day, Conclusion.

January 25, 2024

Why in News:

Recently, the Defense Ministry has announced the tableaux at Kartavya Path for the Republic Day parade.

  • Some state governments have criticized the central government for not allowing them to be part of the 2024 Republic Day parade tableau and this selection process.

About Republic Day Celebration 2024:

  • The Government of India organizes a six-day mega event "Bharat Parv" from 26–31 January as part of the Republic Day celebrations. This alternative event takes place at the historic Red Fort.

Theme of Republic Day 2024 parade:

  • ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) and ‘Bharat-Loktantra ki Matruka’ (India-Mother of Democracy).

Chief Guest:

  • French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest of Republic Day 2024.

Selected States/Union Territories for the Republic Day Parade:

  • According to the announcement of the Defence Ministry 17 states and union territories, such as Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh and six from various ministries and departments will display their tableaux at Kartavya Path for the Republic Day parade.

Importance of Tableaux:

  • All these tableaux will depict the country's rich cultural heritage, economic progress and strong internal and external security.

Selection Process of Tableaux:     

  • The selection process of tableaux for the Republic Day parade is carried out by the Ministry of Defence.
  • Expert committee (appointed by MoD) of prominent people from art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography do the shortlisting of the tableaux.
  • They hold six to seven rounds of meetings to examine the proposals before shortlisting and making the ultimate decision.
  • Firstly, the submitted sketches or designs of the proposals are scrutinised by this committee. Committee can make suggestions for any modifications in the sketch or design.
  • In the next stage, three-dimensional models of their proposals are again examined by the expert committee for final selection.
  • The final selection depends on a combination of factors such as visual appeal, impact on the public, idea or theme of the tableau, degree of detail, accompanying music and use of local resources.

Guidelines for tableau models and performers

  • Writing or use of logos on tableaux is not allowed except the name of states or Union Territories that are presenting it.
  • The names of the states should be written in Hindi in the front, in English on the back and in regional language on the sides of the tableau.
  • The number of performers on the trailer will not be more than 10 persons and artists performing on or along the tableau should be from the concerned state/UT only.
  • Tableaux from different states/UTs must not be too similar.
  • Eco-friendly materials must be used for construction.

About Republic Day:

  • India became Independent on 15th August, 1947 which is celebrated as Independence Day.
  • Republic Day is celebrated as the day when India acquired a written Constitution and became an independent republic.
  • The term ‘Republic’ indicates that India has an elected head called the President.
  • The Constitution of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949 and came into effect on 26th January 1950.
  • 26th November is observed as Constitution Day.
  • 26th January was chosen to be observed as the Republic Day because it was on this day in 1930 when the Indian National Congress (INC) declared Purna Swaraj or Indian independence from the British regime.
  • During INC’s Lahore session of December 1929, Purna Swaraj resolution was passed. The session was presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru.

Conclusion:

The decisions regarding the selection process of tableaux are based entirely on a combination of artistic, thematic and technical considerations. To address the criticisms of state governments regarding the selection process of tableaux, the evaluation by a committee of experts should be completely transparent and accountable.

Source: Indian Express

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Mains Question

 

Discuss the importance of Republic Day celebrations by mentioning the selection process of tableaux and guidelines for their construction on Republic Day.