PANAJI
The State of Goa will showcase its tableau at the Republic Day parade on 26th January at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. The theme for this year is ‘Swarnim Bharat, Virasat aur Vikas’, meaning ‘Golden India, Heritage and Development’. Goa’s float will highlight its rich cultural heritage and progress, with a special focus on its oldest art form, Kaavi. This tableau is being created under the Department of Information and Publicity, Government of Goa.
A team of 30 Goan sculptors, artists, artisans, fabricators, and carpenters has been working on the tableau since 26th December at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp in Delhi Cantt. The project is led by renowned Goan artists Sushant Khedekar and Purnanad Paidarkar, along with their team members, including Dr Saish Deshpande, Dinesh Priolkar, Nishad, and others. The focus is on representing Kaavi art, Goan culture, and tourism. Kaavi is a traditional Goan art form that uses natural pigments derived from the earth. Well-known Goan Kaavi artist, Sagar Naik Mule, is adding the final touches to the tableau, bringing an authentic Goan touch with his work.
Sagar, who was mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann ki Baat address and later honoured at Bharat Mandapam, is thrilled about this opportunity. Last year, he was disappointed when Goa’s tableau wasn’t selected for the parade. However, this year, he is delighted that his art will feature prominently.
“For the first time, my art will be at the front of the tableau,” shared Sagar, who brought red soil (Tambdi Maati) from Goa to Delhi for his work. “I had four days to complete it. This is an opportunity to showcase Kaavi art to the nation. I hope it inspires Goans to learn, preserve, and even earn a livelihood from this traditional art,” he added.
The tableau begins with a depiction of a Goan woman holding a divja (traditional lamp) decorated with intricate Kaavi designs, symbolising the essence of Goan culture. A model of the historic Aguada Lighthouse, one of Asia’s oldest, is also featured prominently.
Music, an essential part of Goan culture, is central to the performance accompanying the tableau. A 49-second song titled Ya Ya Goyaan Ya, composed by Dr Saish Deshpande, blends traditional Ovi tunes with modern music. Saish, along with Archana Shinde, Queenie Fernandes, and Mukesh Ghatwal, has sung the song, which includes Goan folk instruments like dhols, shehnai, and maand music alongside western instruments to reflect Goa’s cultural evolution. The choreography is by Nishad, and the costumes are designed by Sangeeta and Avani Khedekar, with performances led by Dinesh Priolkar.
Other contributors include Pandurang Shet, Suresh Varekar, Vallabh Chari, and Pralhad Shilkar, with production oversight by Purnanand Paidarkar. After the parade, Goa’s tableau will be displayed at the Red Fort during the Bharat Parv celebration from 26th to 31st January, giving the public a chance to admire its artistry.
The tableau was selected after a series of evaluations by an expert committee formed by the Ministry of Defence. The committee reviewed various aspects, including the theme, concept, designs, and visual elements, before approving the final model.
