C'garh's R-Day Parade tableau to showcase 600-year-old tribal tradition of Bastar

Raipur: Chhattisgarh’s tableau portraying the 600- year-old tribal tradition of community decision making has been selected for display at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26.

Titled ‘Bastar Ki Aadim Jan-Sansad: Muria Darbar’, the tableau has been highly acclaimed by the Defence Ministry’s expert committee while selecting it for display at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 26, a spokesman of the Chhattisgarh government said.

Out of 28 states, tableaus of 16 states including that of Chhattisgarh have been selected for participation on the occasion.

“It is a significant achievement for the state”, chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the first tribal chief minister of Chhattisgarh, said.

Chhattisgarh’s Republic Day Parade tableau revolves around the theme “India is the mother of democracy”, aligning with the Government of India’s vision, the spokesman said.

The depiction in tableau showcases the enduring democratic ethos within the tribal society of Bastar.

The tableau highlights the famous Bastar Dussehra tradition, considered the world’s longest festival running for 75 days, while depicting the Muria (a tribe) Darbar, an ancient Assembly dating back 600 years.

Originated in Limau- Raja, Bade-Dongar, in Kondagaon district under Bastar, this tradition traces its root to a time when a lemon symbolised kingship and decisions were collectively made by the primitive communities.

Crafted through meticulous local research, Chhattisgarh’s tableau’s theme and design have secured final approval in a five-stage rigorous process, a senior officer of the state government said.

“The tableau’s compelling theme and design captivated selectors”, the officer said.