The winds of change are definitely entering Jharkhand with fresh energy and achievements in the kitty. For, the State struggling to even qualify in the tableaux category till very recently, has set a milestone by not only enthralling the cosmopolitan audiences at Rajpath but also bagged the second prize in the tableaux category in the Republic Day Parade, 2015. It was Jharkhand’s first finish at the podium in its three appearances so far in its 14-year-history in the Republic Day Parade.
“The result will give a fillip to the tourism sector in the State besides promoting Jharkhand’s rich cultural heritage,” an elated Chief Minister Raghubar Das said. Secretary of Information and Public Relations Department MR Meena termed the achievement as the “Triumph of Jharkhand” and said that the efforts of the people of the State to bring it on the national platform could finally be recognised with the announcement. “This will also help boost tourism in the state,” he said.
Expressing happiness over her group’s win Isha Khandelwal, a Jharkhand Information Service officer, who led the team of artists and workers in Delhi, said that she was awestruck with the news of her State getting the award. “I am feeling as if the whole colour of Jharkhand has come out before the nation. Each one of the team members, whether they were artisans or artists, worked religiously to give their best for the tableau and time has come to cherish the fruits of their labour today. I hope Jharkhand will get big recognition in the tourism industry with the kind of exposure we have got here,” she said.
The team of 35 artists from Jharkhand was camping in New Delhi since January 10, making preparations and practicing for the performance regularly so that the temples of Maluti get name and fame in the entire world. Maluti is a village of temples made of ‘Terracotta’ art form situated some 55 km from Dumka in Santhal Pargana.
In the tableau, the colourful demonstration of Maluti temples was done being admired by the tourists coming from several parts of the Country taking photographs of the temples and the artists dancing around those temples in the traditional form. The dance form has been prepared by Tej Mundu, a folk artiste from Jharkhand based on the songs sung at the occasion of ‘Karma’ and ‘Jitia’ in Jharkhand.
The results of different competitive presentations in the Republic Day Parade were announced by the panel of judges appointed by the Defence Ministry on Thursday. Maharashtra Tableau, which depicted ‘Wari to Pandharpur’ (the pilgrimage to Pandharpur), bagged the first prize while the third position went to the Karnataka Tableau based on the famous Channapatna Toys. In all, 25 tableaux, including nine from Union Ministries /Departments, took part in the Parade.
Besides the tableaux category, the Brigade of Guards Regiment and Sikh Regiment were jointly adjudged the best marching contingents in the Services category. In the category of Para-Military Forces and other auxiliary marching contingents, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) contingent has been adjudged the best contingent.
In the competitive category of schoolchildren items, the ‘Daang Dance’ of Gujarat presented by West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur (Rajasthan) has been adjudged the best and a Consolation Prize was awarded to South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur (Maharashtra) for their beautiful portrayal of ‘lezim Dance’ of Maharashtra. The Tableau presented by the CPWD giving a majestic floral depiction of ‘Gaumukh’ also has been selected for a Special Prize by the Jury.
As in previous years, this year also the Ministry of Defence had appointed three panels of judges for assessing the marching contingents from three Services, Para-Military Forces and tableaux from various States/ Ministries/Departments and Schoolchildren items from Schools of Delhi as well as outside Delhi. The winners will be awarded trophies and prizes by the Defence Minister later in separate functions organised by the Ministry of Defence.