Bhubaneswar, Dec. 22: After a gap of two years, Odisha has been selected for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. A tableau representing the popular Boita Bandana festival has got the nod to take part in the event.
Boita Bandana marks the end of Kartik month and celebrates the state's maritime tradition. According to popular belief, traders used to go to distant islands such as Bali, Java, Sumatra and Sri Lanka by sea in boats called boitas for trading. It is believed that the seafarers began their journey on Kartik purnima.
In 2014 and 2015, the state government had failed to make the cut for the parade. The state government had received criticism from various quarters last year for losing a rare opportunity to showcase its rich culture and heritage before US President Barack Obama.
The state's last representation at the Republic Day parade was in 2013, where the tableau on the chandan yatra of Lord Jagannath was on show.
Every year, defence ministry selects a handful of tableaux for the parade. The theme-based tableaux display the country's culture, heritage and achievements. They also showcase India's military prowess, development in science and technology and economic strength.
The state government had sent sketches on five topics - Chilka Lake, Nabakalebar, Similipal National Park, Boita Bandana and the handlooms tradition - for selection.
"Ancient Odisha was the epicentre of the inland and foreign trade within the Indian subcontinent that had established its maritime supremacy over the world trade from time immemorial. So it was inevitable that the Boita Banda sketch was selected," said Sushil Kumar Das, director of the information and public relations department.
The final selection was done after six rounds of screening.
"In the initial round, we sent the sketch. Thereafter, it was tested on various parameters like the 3D design and the music accompanying it. Last year we were rejected in the fifth round," said Das.
The tableau was designed by artist Pradyumna Kumar Dash and the 3D model has been prepared by Gajendra Kumar Sahoo of Bibhut Kanungo Art College, Bhubaneswar. The accompanying music for the tableau has been composed by music director Sushanta Kumar Padhi.
A team of selected artists will travel to New Delhi in January to prepare the tableau, the deadline for which is January 20.
