Information and Broadcasting Ministry's Republic Day Tableau Celebrates India's Storytelling Heritage
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry presented a magnificent tableau titled "Bharat Gatha: Shruti, Kriti, Drishti" at the 77th Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi, beautifully showcasing India's rich storytelling legacy. This artistic display traced the nation's narrative journey from ancient oral traditions to contemporary media and cinema, reflecting India's cultural evolution and its emergence as a global content powerhouse.
Blending Tradition with Modern Technology
The tableau masterfully blended civilisational heritage with modern technology to bring alive both traditional narratives and future-ready stories. It highlighted WAVES as a global platform advancing India's media and entertainment leadership, innovation, and cultural diplomacy. The ministry collaborated with acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali for the tableau's design and execution, while the renowned singer Shreya Ghoshal provided the vocal element for the song 'Bharat Katha' heard during the segment.
Evolution of Storytelling Through Visual Elements
The long tableau perfectly illustrated the evolution of storytelling through carefully curated sections:
- The first section highlighted the guru-shishya parampara (teacher-disciple tradition), representing the oral transmission of knowledge
- The middle section featured Lord Ganesha inscribing the epic Mahabharata, symbolizing the transition to written forms of storytelling
- The final section showcased a cinema hall and video camera with reels of popular Indian films, representing the modern cinematic medium
Curated as part of Bharat Gatha, the tableau presented cinema not merely as entertainment but as a continuation of India's long-standing storytelling tradition that has evolved from folklore and epics to theatre and music, ultimately reaching global audiences through the universal medium of film.
Broader Republic Day Celebrations
The 77th Republic Day Parade witnessed participation from approximately 450 elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural Local Bodies as Special Guests, reflecting the Government of India's emphasis on strengthening grassroots democracy and people's participation. Among the 30 tableaux that rolled down Kartavya Path was also the Ministry of Panchayati Raj's display on the theme "SVAMITVA Scheme: Aatmanirbhar Panchayat se Samriddh evam Aatmanirbhar Bharat."
The Panchayati Raj tableau highlighted how legal ownership of rural residential properties empowers citizens and strengthens Panchayats. To date, the SVAMITVA Scheme has enabled the issuance of nearly three crore property cards in over 1.84 lakh villages, significantly reducing land disputes and supporting planned rural development across the country.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry's tableau served as a powerful visual narrative of India's storytelling continuum, celebrating how ancient traditions have seamlessly evolved into modern cinematic expressions while maintaining their cultural essence and relevance in today's global media landscape.
