In pics: India celebrates 61st Republic day
The Service Chiefs first paid tribute at the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
The Service Chiefs first paid tribute at the Amar Jawan Jyoti. Defence Minister AK Antony and PM Dr Manmohan Singh did the same later.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Vice President Hamid Ansari and other dignitaries were present at the Republic Day parade.
President Pratibha Patil welcomes Indonesian President Dr Haji Yudhoyono. The Indonesian President is the chief guest for this Republic Day
An Army doctor Major Laishram Jyotin Singh was awarded posthumously the highest peacetime gallantry award - the Ashok Chakra for his bravery while fighting militants during an attack on Indians in Kabul. He was the first Army doctor receiving Ashok Chakra.
Four Mi-17 helicopters zoomed in from the western skies and showered flower petals on the spectators, signalling the beginning of the parade.
President Pratibha Patil saluting the national flag during the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2011.
A tableau from Bihar state depicts a Muslim man praying. The Sufi shrine of Maner in Patna was depicted in the tableau of Bihar, which is better known for its Buddhist pilgrim sites. As the tune of Amir Khusro's Sufi verse 'Chhap tilak sab chhini re' played in the background, the float showed the shrine of 17th century saint Makhdoom Shah Daulat at Maner.
Central public Works Department display their tableau at the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2011.
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) display their tableau at the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2011. In a rare first, the country's premier science research organisation had a tableau at the Republic Day Parade on the healthcare theme - from generic drugs to genomics.
Ministry of Defence tableau moves forward during the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2011.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tableau at the the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2011.The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) brought the Active Phased Array Radar, which is a shipborne multi-function radar, and Naval Underwater Weapon System at the parade for the first time along with the trainer version of Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.
The Gujarat state tableau on Buddhist heritage at the the Republic Day parade on January 26, 2011.The tableau portrayed Buddhist heritage in various forms in Gujarat beside propagating its teachings of non-violence and universal brotherhood. A group of monks walk in front of the float, chanting 'Buddham Sharanam Gachhchaami' a Buddhist chant. The representation displays a reproduction of a fourth-century Buddha statue found in Dev-Ni-Mori, along with Buddhist 'mudras' (symbols) found at Vadnagar and a bust of Buddha in meditation.
A tableau of wood-carved hut with chinar motifs, crafted shawls and life-like sculpture of a basket-weaving woman showcasing Jammu and Kashmir's handicrafts industry rolled on the Rajpath this Republic Day. Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and his wife Shameema Azad, who hail from the state, smiled and cheered the float.The tableau was designed by renowned Kashmiri artist Veer Munshi.
The Kerala tableau has a majestic Kaalan Kolam (mask and head gear of a deity) from a mythological tale associated with the celebration of Padayani, an annual festival celebrated in Kali temples of central Kerala.
The Madhya Pradesh Tableau focused on Bagh prints was one of the star attraction at the Republic Day Parade on Rajpath in New Delhi. In the front portion of the tableau a huge statue of Shal Bhanjika has been shown which depicts the celestial beauty of 11th century. The middle portion of the tableau displays the craftsmanship of Bagh print.
An Indian paramilitary contingent marches past at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, January 26, 2011.
Orissa Tableau 'Jayadev and Gitagovinda' was presented during the Republic Day Parade on January 26, 2011. The Classical Sanskrit Literature 'Gitagovinda' by the saint poet of Orissa Sri Jayadev, is depicted in the Tableau showcasing the rich literary and cultural heritage of the State.
Indonesian President Dr Haji Yudhoyono waves during the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2011.
Delhi's tableau gave a kaleidoscopic view of the capital's rich cultural and religious heritage with its depiction of the four major religious communities living in harmony and the Bahai (Lotus) temple taking the centre stage.
The Karnataka tableau this year is a recreation of an 8th Century Pattadakal Temple, which is a World Heritage Site. The tableau is accompanied by artists performing Dollukunitha, a folk dance performed in praise of Lord Shiva. “For centuries, this art of drum beating is passed on from father to son in our community,” said Takappa (who goes by one name), the leader of the team that has come from Shimoga district.
Maharashtra's 'dabbawalas' (tiffin carriers) caught the immediate attention of President Pratibha Patil as the state's tableau rolled down Rajpath during the Republic Day parade Tuesday and she pointed out its nuances to her South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak, who was the chief guest on the occassion.
The haunting strains of Sun Mere Bandhu Re" filled the air as the Tripura tableau rolled down Rajpath at the Republic Day parade here, paying tribute to legendary film musician S D Burman today. The float showed a boat, with a larger than life model of the late Burman, who had sung in many Bollywood movies. The back of the vessel had singing boatmen and a collage of posters of his films.
Guto Cham, an annual ceremony held in monasteries to destroy evil, was the theme of Sikkim's tableau which depicted the colourful culture of the country's smallest state.
The first tableau to be rolled out was the one on 'Gurudev' Rabindranath Tagore by Culture Ministry and Sangeet Natak Akademi to commemorate the Nobel laureate's 150th birth anniversary. A big bust of Tagore formed the foreground of the tableau with Santiniketan in the backdrop and depiction of meeting Mahatma Gandhi had with the poet laureate. His works like Gitanjali and some of his paintings as well as his famous verse 'Ekla Chalo Re' (Go Alone) also formed the artwork.
As India celebrates its 61st Republic day on January 26, the capital witnessed a gala event. The day marks the anniversary of India's adoption of a democratic constitution. 23 tableaux were on display - 13 from States and ten from ministries. This time, the number of tableaux has risen to 23 from last year's 21 to provide a kaleidoscopic view of the vibrant cultural heritage.
