The Jammu and Kashmir Republic Day Tableau has secured an impressive second position at the national level during the Republic Day Parade 2026, marking a proud moment for the Union Territory and highlighting its rich cultural legacy on one of the country’s most prestigious platforms.
The recognition underscores Jammu and Kashmir’s artistic excellence, vibrant traditions, and centuries-old cultural heritage, presented through a visually captivating tableau themed as a “living canvas.”
The tableau offered a culturally immersive narrative showcasing the region’s renowned arts and handicrafts, including Pashmina weaving, walnut wood carving, carpet weaving, papier-mâché, copperware, and Basohli miniature paintings—each reflecting generations of refined craftsmanship.
The visual journey opened with a grand engraved Samovar symbolising Kashmiri hospitality, followed by imagery of traditional wooden architecture and houseboats that captured the essence of the Valley’s unique cultural landscape. At the centre, a Dogra Chhajja performance staged on a traditional village Thadda depicted community life, social harmony, and cultural continuity.
Adding vibrancy and rhythm were folk dance performances such as Rouf, Kud, Jagarna, Pahari, Gojri, and Dumhal, collectively representing the diverse ethnic and cultural fabric of Jammu and Kashmir. The tableau concluded with a striking arrangement of colourful papier-mâché artefacts placed in a willow basket, symbolically portraying Jammu and Kashmir as a dynamic, living canvas of art and tradition.
This achievement marks a significant comeback of the Jammu and Kashmir tableau at the Republic Day Parade, reaffirming the Union Territory’s renewed cultural presence on the national stage.
The idea, design, and conceptualisation of the tableau were led by renowned artist Padma Shri awardee Shri Balwant Thakur, also a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. With vast experience in cultural leadership, Shri Thakur has previously served as Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and represented India internationally through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
The national honour stands as a testament to Jammu and Kashmir’s artistic vibrancy, cultural resilience, and enduring legacy of creativity that continues to inspire audiences across the country and beyond.
