Chhattisgarh’s tableau depicting its folk musical instruments is all set to roll on Rajpath during the Republic Day celebrations in the Indian capital.
The tableau, created by the Public Relations Department of the Chhattisgarh government, was showcased on Friday to the national media by the Defence Ministry at the RR Camp in New Delhi.
Dancers who will accompany the tableau also performed ‘Mandri’ dance in front of the media.
A team of artisans and officials of the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department had been working round-the-clock at the campsite for one month for the final rollout after the tableau was selected for the Republic Day parade.
The front side of the tableau beautifully depicts a giant model of a tribal woman playing “Dhankul” musical instrument, made from objects used in day-to-day life such as earthen pot, bow and bamboo cane.
This instrument is used on the occasion of special rituals in Bastar division such as ‘Teeja-jagaar’ and ‘Laxmi-jagaar’.
The middle portion depicts musical instruments ‘Todi’ and ‘Tuhri’, which are played on auspicious occasions by blowing air into it. Bastar’s ‘Gaur’ dance is shown on ‘Todi’, with female dancers carrying a special instrument called Gunja -- an iron rod with iron bead on top.
In the rear part, a male plays a drum while performing ‘Gaur’ dance. On both the edges of the tableau, dancers perform and play various rhythmic instruments.
Other instruments on show on the tableau are ‘agalgoja’, ‘copdodka’, ‘maandar’, ‘dev nagada’, ‘daahak’, ‘nagada’, ‘dafadaa’, ‘sarangi’ and bamboo.
Out of 28 states and 8 Union Territories, only 17 states, including Chhattisgarh, will be able to take part in the Republic Day parade.