Uttar Pradesh has created history by winning prizes for two consecutive year in the Republic Day Parade. The state’s tableau – titled “Ayodhya: The Cultural heritage of Uttar Pradesh” and depicting the replica of the proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya – at the Republic Day parade in Delhi was adjudged the best on Thursday. Following its feat, the Uttar Pradesh government is planning to bring back the tableau from Delhi to Lucknow by road, passing through different districts for the public to catch a glimpse of it, sources said.
Besides the proposed Ram temple replica, the tableau displayed Valmiki composing the Ramayana along with murals on either side depicting scenes from the epic. “The front part of the tableau shows Maharishi Valmiki composing the Ramayana. The middle portion features the Ram Mandir, the epitome of Ayodhya’s cultural identity associated with mass sentiments and devotion,” said a government official. The theme song of the tableau was composed by singer Virendra Vatsa, in which he talked about how Uttar Pradesh depicts different ideologies, art and culture – right from Ram, Sita, Gorakhnath, Tulsi, Kabir to Bismillah Khan; and how Buddha gave his first sermon on the soil of Uttar Pradesh. The song, begins and ends with the chants of Ram.
“The tableau of Uttar Pradesh was recognised as the best. This prompted several spectators, including ministers, to stand and applaud,” the official added. For the second time in a row, Uttar Pradesh received the award for the Republic Day tableau. Last year the state had got the second prize, while this year it stood first.
