By Anand Singh
New Delhi, Jan 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) On the 70th Republic Day ceremony, Gujarat will showcase the 'Rani ki Vav: Jal Mandir' (Queen's stepwell) in its tableau, which has been recognised as the ancient engineering marvel and also features on the UNESCO's World Heritage Site list, while Meghalaya will showcase the double decker living root bridges.
The work of the preparation of the Gujarat tableau is being looked after by Pankaj Modi, younger brother of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pankaj Modi, who works as Deputy Director in the Information Department of Gujarat government, told IANS, "The Rani ki Vav is the best example of Gujarat's traditional means for water conservations that exhibits a unique combination of civilisation, culture, and arts along with engineering marvel."
He said this tableau is going to exhibit the great heritage of Gujarat to become a central attraction for the nation at the national parade. Pankaj Modi said that Gujarat's tableau will showcase the grandeur of the 'Rani ki Vav'.
"To exhibit the importance of the water resources, a large sculpture of rural Gujarat with water-filled earthen pots has been placed in the foreground of the tableau."
"The sculpture of Lord Vishnu sitting on the left bed is a distinct feature of the Rani ki Vav' at Patan town; thus, a replica of this sculpture is also placed in the front portion of the tableau to enhance its decoration," he added.
'Rani ki Vav', the original seven-storeyed mausoleum monument is located on the banks of historical Sarasvati River at Patan town in Gujarat. It was built by Queen Udaymati in memory of her husband King Bheemdev of the Solanki dynasty.
The water wells and reservoirs have always been the lifeline of Gujarat, among them the Rani ki Vav has remained vitally important as 'Jal Mandir' (water temple) since centuries. Pankaj Modi also said that even the handlooms of Patan, which are world famous for their 'Patolas' (Patola sarees), its various patterns and designs are placed on either side of the tableau.
Modi said that besides the tableau 26 artisans will exhibit the arts and culture of Gujarat. Besides Gujarat, as many as 16 other states' tableaus and six tableaus of the various departments of the Central government like Start Up India, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been selected for the Republic Day parade.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya has prepared the replica of Umshiang double decker living root bridge located in Nongriat in Cherrapunji to highlight the capacity of the Khansi and Jaintia people of Meghalaya of building bridges from secondary roots of trees. The tableau also demonstrates three girls from the three major tribes of Meghalaya -- Khasi, Jaitia and Garo.
Besides Gujarat and Meghalaya, Punjab has prepared its tableau on the theme of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev to propagate his ideology.
Randeep Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Director of the Information Department told IANS, "The theme of the tableau has been vividly depicted as a mark of yearlong celebrations of 550th Prakash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji. Through our tableau we are trying to spread his message of interfaith, understanding and creation of harmonious society on the ethos of tolerance, peace, communal harmony, women empowerment and protection of natural resources."
Ahluwalia said that the tableau comprises three principles -- Kirat Karo, Naam Japo and Vand Chhako, which forms the cornerstone of the Sikhism.
The Chhattisgarh tableau on the other hand reflects the artistic beauty of folk life. The tableau also earmarks the art forms of tribal society as the art ranges from ornaments to idols to things used in day to day life has been showcased.
Rajasthan will also showcase the glory of heritage of buildings and sites of Jaipur city. The Rajasthan tableau has been decorated with jaali jharokha, to display the city's magnetic heritage beauty that encompasses markets, monuments, grand gateways, City Palace Gateway, Tripolia Gate, and Statue Circle.
(Anand Singh can be contacted at anand.s@ians.in)
Source: IANS
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