Odisha’s tableau depicting Rukuna Rath Yatra of Lingaraj Temple rolled down on the Rajpath in the national capital during the Republic Day parade 2020 with 22 other tableaux. A total of 56 tableaux proposals, 32 from States and Union Territories, and 24 from Ministries and Departments were received for consideration. Out of this, 22 tableaux proposals were selected for the Republic Day Parade.
The three states of Assam, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh secured the first, second and third position respectively. The tableaux of Jal Jeevan Mission and National Disaster Response Force were awarded the best during the Republic Day parade. The winners were announced during the ceremony on Monday at Rashtriya Rangshala Camp. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presented the awards to the representative state winners.
Artist Gajendra Sahoo and Chatrapati Biswal had designed the Odisha Tableau featuring Rukuna Ratha Jatra and Lingaraj Temple. “I was very happy when Odisha tableau was shortlisted this year after having failed in the previous two occasions. To be frank, our focus was mainly on the rolling of tableau on Rajpath and we were hopeful that our presentation will bag award this time. That is what has happened,” expressed Gajendra Sahoo.
The Assam tableau, that won the competition, represented the Assamese lifestyle, displaying their craftsmanship using bamboo and cane and their unparalleled tradition of handloom.
The tableaux proposals registered were evaluated in a string of expert committee meetings involving distinguished personnel from the field of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture and choreography.