Maestros to scientists, tableaux win hearts at R-Day parade

Strains of Bharat Ratna awardee Bismillah Khan's shehnai, Bhupen Hazarika's musical legacy, rhythm of Maharashtra's Koli tribe dance and Indian scientists shown working in numbing cold Antarctica enchanted the crowd here at the 65th Republic Day celebration.
The vibrant tableaux on the historic Rajpath began with cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh followed by scenes from rural, nomadic and tribal India, among others.
The UP tableau 'Subah-e-Banaras' was fronted by a giant figure of shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan and was complemented by scenes of city's daily life at the ghats of river Ganga.
Spectators were also treated to dance forms from diverse regions of the country, such as West Bengal's Purulia Chhau to Maharashtraian fish-folk's Koli to 'Aji Lhamu' from Arunanchal Pradesh.

'Tiger of Mysore' Tipu Sultan was also remembered with a huge bust of the sword-wielding warrior spearheading the Karnataka section. The tableau also showed a tiger devouring a British sepoy symbolising the war hero.
History and culture were tempered with displays of the country's scientific pursuits and technological mights.

Ministry of Earth Sciences presented Indian researchers working in the virulent col condition in the white continent as sounds of ship gongs and gurglings of penguins wowed the spectators.
The Ministry of Agriculture marking technological progress depicted people's empowerment in the agricultural areas through Information & Communication Technology (ICT). A woman with a sickle in one hand and a mobile phone in the other drew a lot of cheer.

The scale-model of Indian Railways latest achievement, the 11 km-long Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel with shredded cotton making for snow was an instant hit as the audience waved at the ceremonial staff riding the tableau.