Vande Mataram Celebrated by 2,500 Artistes Showcasing India's Cultural Diversity on Republic Day

On Republic Day, 2,500 artistes performed various Indian dance forms at Kartavya Path, highlighting the theme of Vande Mataram and showcasing India's rich cultural heritage.

In a vibrant celebration of India's cultural diversity, around 2,500 artists from across the nation gathered to mark Republic Day. The event, held on Monday, showcased the country's rich heritage through various dance forms. From Rajasthan's ger dance to Assam's sattriya, performers highlighted the unity and beauty of India's traditions at Kartavya Path in the national capital.

After the military parade, these artists took centre stage, transforming Kartavya Path into a lively display of coordinated moves. Their performance was a result of days of rigorous practice. The artists later celebrated their successful show with chants and dances at Kartavya Bhawan. Sudha Ranigeru, an Odissi dancer, expressed the spirit of unity by joining Punjabi Bhangra dancers in celebration.

Unity in Diversity Showcased

The theme for this year's Republic Day parade was "150 years of Vande Mataram." A group of about 100 artists opened the parade with a presentation titled "Vividata Mein Ekta," which featured traditional musical instruments. This performance underscored the nation's unity and cultural richness. Musicians from Maharashtra to Mizoram played the tune of Vande Mataram, highlighting India's diverse musical heritage.

Manipuri dancer Meruni Ph emphasised that Republic Day is about celebrating India's diversity and unity. For two weeks leading up to the event, artists practised diligently at IHM, Pusa. Hiteshi Sharma from Haryana shared challenges faced during rehearsals, such as perfecting moves while wearing traditional attire like the daaman skirt.

Traditional Dance Forms Highlighted

The parade featured various traditional dance forms, including Rajasthan's ger dance performed by men in heavy red gowns called lal aangi. Mahavir Singh, leading one such group, explained that each dancer also wore headgear similar to a groom's turban. Another showcased dance was dedhiya from Uttar Pradesh, performed with pots containing diyas to ward off evil eyes.

The creative team behind this grand performance included M M Keeravani as music director and Santosh Nair as choreographer. Sandhya Purecha supervised and directed the project, while Sandhya Raman handled creative design and costumes. Keeravani gained international fame after winning an Oscar for his song "Naatu Naatu" in 2023.

Artistic Collaboration and Challenges

Laxminarayan Mandle from Bilaspur described Chhattisgarh's Gedi dance performed during monsoon and harvest seasons. Dancers use bamboo stilts to create rhythmic beats while depicting village life stories. The presentation included popular dances like Bharatanatyam and Odissi alongside lesser-known forms like Gedi and ger.

The event was graced by European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as chief guests. This grand celebration not only highlighted India's cultural diversity but also its spirit of unity through art and tradition.

With inputs from PTI