A day after the Jammu & Kashmir tableau won widespread applause at the 77th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, hosted a warm high-tea get-together for the tableau team. The Minister also shared a video from the interaction on social media, which quickly gained traction and went viral.
The J&K tableau, celebrated for its evocative and immersive portrayal of the Union Territory’s cultural diversity and artistic heritage, struck a chord with audiences across the country during the Republic Day celebrations.
Minister Interacts with Artists, Applauds Cultural Excellence
During an extensive interaction with the artists, performers, designers and officials associated with the tableau, Dr Jitendra Singh congratulated the team for their disciplined presentation and collective effort on Kartavya Path. He said the tableau successfully conveyed the cultural depth and civilisational richness of Jammu & Kashmir, allowing even distant spectators to emotionally connect with the region’s traditions, colours and rhythms.
“The tableau presented Jammu and Kashmir as a seamless cultural continuum, where heritage, community life and artistic expression come together in a powerful visual narrative,” the Minister said.
Culture and Development Must Progress Together
Dr Jitendra Singh noted that such cultural representations align with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where India’s development journey is deeply rooted in its civilisational heritage. He emphasised that showcasing local traditions, crafts and community life on national platforms reflects India’s growing cultural confidence alongside development.
Lavender Fields, Basholi Art and Folk Dances Steal the Spotlight
Highlighting the tableau’s visual elements, the Minister referred to the purple lavender fields, the intricate Basholi miniature art, and vibrant folk dance traditions, which together showcased the artistic continuity of Jammu & Kashmir.
The tableau opened with a grand engraved Samovar, symbolising Kashmiri hospitality, followed by visuals of traditional wooden architecture and houseboats. At its heart, a Dogra Chhajja performance staged on a village Thadda portrayed the essence of community life in the Jammu region.
Energetic folk dances such as Rouf, Kud, Jagarna, Pahari, Gojri and Dumhal added rhythm and movement, while the concluding display of colourful papier-mâché artefacts arranged in a willow basket presented Jammu & Kashmir as a living canvas of creativity and craftsmanship.
A Message for Viksit Bharat @2047
Encouraging the artists to continue preserving traditional art forms while adapting them to modern platforms, the Minister said that India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat @2047 will be shaped not only by economic growth and technological advancement, but also by the strength of its cultural roots and community participation.
The interaction concluded on a warm note, with Dr Jitendra Singh expressing confidence that platforms like the Republic Day Parade will continue to play a vital role in showcasing India’s cultural diversity as a source of unity, strength and inspiration.
