How are the tableaux selected for the Republic Day parade?
Every year, around September the Ministry of Defence, which has overall responsibility for the Republic Day parade and celebrations, sends tableau proposals to all states, union territories, central government departments and some constitutional authorities. With this the process begins.
On 22 January, the Defense Minister announced that 17 states and union territories, such as West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir, would display their tableaux on the duty path for the Republic Day parade. Apart from states and union territories, six ministries and departments will also display their tableaux, the ministry said in a statement. “23 tableaux – 17 from states and union territories and six from various ministries and departments – will be displayed and will reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage, economic progress and strong internal and external security,” the defense ministry said.
tabulation process
Every year, around September the Ministry of Defense on which Has overall responsibility for the Republic Day parade and celebrations, sends tableau proposals to all states, union territories, central government departments and certain constitutional authorities. With this the process begins.
This time, the Ministry of Defense sent letters on September 1 to 81 central ministries and departments, all 36 states and union territories, through their secretaries and the Election Commission and NITI Aayog, inviting them to participate.
The deadline for sending proposals was September 30, 2022, and the shortlisting of proposals began around the second week of October.
What are the guidelines for tableau exit?
The participants have to display elements related to their State/UT/Department within the broad theme. This year the themes given to the participants were about 75 years of India’s independence, International Year of Millets and ‘Women Power’.
How is the tableau selected?
For the selection process, the Ministry of Defense constitutes a committee of “eminent persons” from the fields of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography etc., who help in shortlisting the tableau from the proposals.
Firstly, the submitted sketches or proposal designs are examined by this committee, which may suggest any modification in the sketch or design.
The sketch should be simple, colourful, easy to understand and avoid unnecessary details. It should be self-explanatory, and should not require any written elaboration.
If a traditional dance is included in the tableau, it should be a folk dance, and the costumes and musical instruments should be traditional and authentic. The proposal must include a video clip of the dance.
Once approved, the next step is for the participants to come up with three-dimensional models for their proposals, which are again scrutinized by an expert committee for final selection keeping in mind several criteria.
In making the final selection the committee looks at a combination of factors, looking at visual appeal, impact on the public, the idea/theme of the tableau, the degree of detail involved, and accompanying music, among other factors.