Every year, on January 26, Republic Day is celebrated with full enthusiasm and vigour. The ceremony of hoisting the national flag, the Tricolour, can be seen on every corner of the country, in schools, colleges, parks, and government buildings. Besides all the patriotic fervour, a grand celebration of Republic Day is at a showcase at Kartavya Path (Raj Path), New Delhi.
Military might, India's defence prowess and a number of acrobatics, and disciplinary drills are events during the Republic Day parade. However, there is another event during the Republic Day parade which attracts a lot of audience. The mesmerizing view of tableaux (Jhanki) from different states of India, which captures the heart and souls, is a treat to watch. Tableaux refer to a scene or an event shown by a group of people. Many times it shows the events and people from history through striking scenes.
How Tableaux Are Selected For Republic Day Parade
During September month of every year, Defence Ministry invites states to apply for participation in presenting the Republic Day parade. A committee of experts, constituted by the Ministry of Defence, select the tableaux for the Republic Day parade. The expert committee reviews proposals from the States/UTs, as well as several rounds of interaction between the committee and representatives from the States to discuss the themes, presentation, aesthetics, and technical elements of the tableaux are held.
After going through the draft of the tableaux to be presented by the states, the expert committee proposes certain changes to be incorporated. After that, those states who get approval from the committee, participate in the parade to present their tableaux.
The selection process for the States/UTs tableaux for the Republic Day parade is based on a zonal system, with States/UTs divided into six zones: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Southern, and North Eastern. Typically, around 15 tableaux are selected for the parade, with the number from each zone determined based on proportionate representation.
Apart from this, the winner of the tableaux presentation is also announced.
Twenty-three tableaux – 17 from States and Union Territories and six from various Ministries and Departments, depicting the nation’s rich cultural heritage, economic progress and strong internal and external security will roll down the Kartavya Path during the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2023.