Date:27/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/27/stories/2006012705761200.htm

National

When floats lent colour to the majestic Rajpath

Staff Reporter

On R-Day, 24 tableaux rolled past a responsive gathering

NEW DELHI : Capturing the beauty of the country's landscape, its magnificent architectural heritage and diverse socio-cultural traditions, besides economic and technological advancements, 24 tableaux rolled down the majestic Rajpath as part of the 57th Republic Day Parade in the Capital on Thursday.

Depicting themes varying from industrial progress to legendary personalities, this year saw an addition of two floats. Built with the help of more than 500 artisans, the parade witnessed the return of popular floats, including entries from Goa and Tamil Nadu, though Kerala and Punjab stayed away.

Cultural pageant

The cultural pageant began with the Karnataka's entry `Mysore Dussehra' depicting the triumph of good over evil. Showcasing the rich cultural heritage and the continuation of noble traditions, the Assam tableau was decorated with the precious scriptures of Sankardeva's `Bhagavata Purana' on bark preserved in the Sattras of Assam.

Not disappointing the large enthusiastic crowd were the floats from Manipur and Goa exhibiting the festivals of their States. Manipur's `Yaoshang Holi Pala' meaning `contingent of Holi performers' is celebrated every year in March. The Manipur tableau depicted a performance of the festival held in front of Shree Govindajee Temple.

The colourful Goan float had the audience on their feet swaying to its foot-tapping music. It depicted some of popular festivals including `Sangodd,' `Zagor,' `Bonderam' and `Shigmo Mel'.

Monuments displayed

The Delhi floats depicted the historic monument Kotla Feroze Shah and Kashmiri Gate alongside the Delhi Metro project. Uttranchal and Chhattisgarh displayed the valley of flowers and the exquisite beauty of traditional ornaments.

Mizoram presented `Bamboo vis-à-vis Mizo way of life,' while other tableaux adding colour to the show included `Art Work in Pipili' from Orissa, `Caves of Meghalaya' from Meghalaya, `Navratri' from Gujarat, `Cart Festival' from Tamil Nadu and `Cellular Jail — 100 Years' from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

However, it was `flower power' — a floral tableau of the Central Public Works Department — presenting `Sea Life' that got the maximum applause followed by Hindustan Aeronautics's `Wings of India.'