New Delhi: Indian is celebrating the 72nd Republic Day today and just like every occassion Google commemorates the day with a Doodle on the home page; this year the Doodle is from a Mumbai based artist Onkar Fondekar. The doodle honors the day 72 years ago when the Indian Constitution came into effect and India officially transitioned into a sovereign republic. Google has a tradition of making iconic doodles to mark significant and historic events, and has portrayed this occasion several times in previous years.
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The doodle features a majestic elephant with a mahout on him at the center. While letters 'G' and 'O' stand towards the left of a caparisoned elephant with a mahout, last three letters of 'Google', are positioned to its right. The majestic pachyderm itself represents the second 'O' in the technology bellwether's name. It is surrounded by people in traditional outfits in the foreground to signify the diversity of the nation. However, it doesn't take away from the progress that India has made in all these years and that is exhibitted by a man clicking a selfie on his phone dressed in traditional Rajasthani attire. The artwork also includes a cricketer, a film director, a sitar player, a Bharatnatyam dancer. Musical instruments such as the dholak and the sitar to expemlify the country's rich heritage. In the background various architectural styles are depicted.
Artist Fondekar, who drew the artwork said he was ecstatic to be part of this art project with Google, and hoped the message of unity in diversity will reach the masses when they see the artwork online.
'I drew inspiration from the people of India -- the culture, traditions, history, and architecture,' he was quoted as saying in the statement according to PTI.
'With origins that stretch back hundreds of years, musical instruments such as the dholak (a two-headed hand drum) and the sitar (a long-necked stringed instrument), both featured in the doodle artwork, are just a few examples of India's rich heritage...From its distinctive architectural styles to the Bollywood film industry, India's cultural impact is felt across the world, and today, there is much to celebrate. Happy Republic Day, India!,' a note from Google said.