Weaving folk music and dance together, poll-bound Punjab, Manipur and Goa today rolled out their tableaux at the Republic Day parade, while making a comeback, Delhi showcased its 'model schools'.
However, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, also headed to polls next month, were not among the participating 17 states and Union Territories in this regard.
Lakshadweep, which participated in the parade after 23 years, portrayed itself as an unexplored destination blessed with a rich eco-system, marine wealth, coral reefs, silver sandy beaches and pristine waters.
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Folk dance 'Jago Aiya', meaning 'wake up', was presented in Punjab's tableau. It is a rural tradition through which villagers were invited to a wedding by the host family.
The focus of the Goa tableau was on the state's musical heritage while Manipur presented 'Lai Haraoba', one of the oldest ritualistic theatres of the world, preserved by the Meitei community.
The Goa tableau had on display various musical instruments like the tasso, ghumat, taal, kansale and saxophone among others.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who hails from the western state, enthusiastically cheered the performers.
Other states that registered their presence include Odisha, Tripura, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Lakshadweep, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir and Assam.
Arunachal's Yak dance, Karnataka's folk dances, Tamil Nadu's dance 'Karakattam' and Tripura's tribal dance 'Hojagiri' were represented in the tableau of the respective states while Assam portrayed the holy shrine of Kamakhya.
Delhi's tableau, part of the parade after three years, was designed after a model government school to portray the transformation in state-run schools and the recent initiatives taken by the AAP government in the education sector.
The theme of Haryana's tableau was based on the popular "Beti bachao beti padhao" campaign while Jammu and Kashmir showcased winter sports at Gulmarg.
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