Smita Mishra 
As the nation gears up to celebrate its 76th Republic Day, the capital city of Delhi is abuzz with excitement. The Republic Day parade, a spectacle of pomp and pageantry, is a celebration of India’s rich cultural diversity, its vibrant heritage, and its unwavering commitment to democracy. This year’s parade promises to be a visual treat, with thousands of artistes, performers, and participants coming together to showcase the best of India’s cultural traditions. Amidst this grand celebration, Odisha’s vibrant cultural heritage is set to mesmerize audiences, with hundreds of artistes from the state participating in a spectacular dance ensemble, ‘Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam’.
This grand performance, presented by the Ministry of Culture, will feature over 5,000 artistes representing more than 45 traditional and folk dance forms from across India, including close to 200 from Odisha. Although Odisha’s tableau didn’t make the cut for this year’s Republic Day parade, the state’s rich cultural heritage will still be on full display. The ‘Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam’ performance will showcase the diversity and richness of India’s folk traditions, with a special focus on Odisha’s unique cultural identity.
One of the highlights of the performance will be the 125 Sambalpuri dancers who will take the stage, showcasing their unique dance style, which is characterized by intricate footwork and graceful movements. Another exciting element will be the Pasu Nritya or animal mask dance, performed by young dancers wearing masks of animals like tigers, cows, lions, elephants, and horses. This ancient dance form is an integral part of Odisha’s folk heritage and is sure to leave the audience in awe.
In addition to these performances, the state’s Bagha Nacha or Tiger Dance, a dying tradition, will be performed by over 40 male dancers from Ganjam. This energetic and dynamic dance form is a testament to Odisha’s rich cultural diversity and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
The performance will also feature tribal musical instruments like nishan (drum-like) and Mohuri (shehnai type), which will add to the overall energy and excitement of the event. The grand tableau of the Culture Ministry, ‘Kalpavriksha to the Golden Bird: A Glimpse of India’s Creativity’, will also include motifs from Odisha, such as the iconic Konark wheel and Pasapalli, a traditional Odia textile design characterized by its checkerboard pattern.
Odisha’s participation in the Republic Day parade is a testament to the state’s rich cultural heritage and its contribution to India’s diverse cultural landscape. Despite the state’s tableau not being selected, the participation of Odia artist
As the nation gears up to celebrate its 76th Republic Day, the capital city of Delhi is abuzz with excitement. The Republic Day parade, a spectacle of pomp and pageantry, is a celebration of India’s rich cultural diversity, its vibrant heritage, and its unwavering commitment to democracy. This year’s parade promises to be a visual treat, with thousands of artistes, performers, and participants coming together to showcase the best of India’s cultural traditions. Amidst this grand celebration, Odisha’s vibrant cultural heritage is set to mesmerize audiences, with hundreds of artistes from the state participating in a spectacular dance ensemble, ‘Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam’.
This grand performance, presented by the Ministry of Culture, will feature over 5,000 artistes representing more than 45 traditional and folk dance forms from across India, including close to 200 from Odisha. Although Odisha’s tableau didn’t make the cut for this year’s Republic Day parade, the state’s rich cultural heritage will still be on full display. The ‘Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam’ performance will showcase the diversity and richness of India’s folk traditions, with a special focus on Odisha’s unique cultural identity.
One of the highlights of the performance will be the 125 Sambalpuri dancers who will take the stage, showcasing their unique dance style, which is characterized by intricate footwork and graceful movements. Another exciting element will be the Pasu Nritya or animal mask dance, performed by young dancers wearing masks of animals like tigers, cows, lions, elephants, and horses. This ancient dance form is an integral part of Odisha’s folk heritage and is sure to leave the audience in awe.
In addition to these performances, the state’s Bagha Nacha or Tiger Dance, a dying tradition, will be performed by over 40 male dancers from Ganjam. This energetic and dynamic dance form is a testament to Odisha’s rich cultural diversity and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
The performance will also feature tribal musical instruments like nishan (drum-like) and Mohuri (shehnai type), which will add to the overall energy and excitement of the event. The grand tableau of the Culture Ministry, ‘Kalpavriksha to the Golden Bird: A Glimpse of India’s Creativity’, will also include motifs from Odisha, such as the iconic Konark wheel and Pasapalli, a traditional Odia textile design characterized by its checkerboard pattern.
Odisha’s participation in the Republic Day parade is a testament to the state’s rich cultural heritage and its contribution to India’s diverse cultural landscape. Despite the state’s tableau not being selected, the participation of Odia artistes in the ‘Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam’ performance is a matter of pride for the state and its people.
In 2024, Odisha’s tableau had won the first prize in the Republic Day parade, and it’s clear that the state’s cultural heritage continues to make waves at the national level. This year’s performance is sure to be just as impressive, and audiences can expect a thrilling display of Odisha’s vibrant cultural heritage.
As the nation gears up to celebrate its 76th Republic Day, the capital city of Delhi is abuzz with excitement. The Republic Day parade, a spectacle of pomp and pageantry, is a celebration of India’s rich cultural diversity, its vibrant heritage, and its unwavering commitment to democracy. This year’s parade promises to be a visual treat, with thousands of artistes, performers, and participants coming together to showcase the best of India’s
