PANAJI
The Goa State tableau on the theme ‘Swatantrata Ka Mantra – Vande Mataram’ is being showcased at Bharat Parv 2026 in New Delhi as part of the Republic Day celebrations. The event, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is being held at the Lawns and Gyan Path in front of the Red Fort and will remain open to the public till January 31.
The tableau’s participation forms part of a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the selection of state and Union Territory tableaux for the Republic Day Parade from 2024 to 2026, signed between the Ministry of Defence and the Goa government.
Under the same MoU, the Goa tableau was presented at the Republic Day cultural pageantry at Kartavya Path in 2025.
Bharat Parv is an annual event that celebrates India’s cultural, artistic, culinary and spiritual heritage while highlighting the theme of unity in diversity.
The Goa tableau depicts the state’s freedom struggle, highlighting the contribution of satyagrahis, the historic Aguada Jail, now the Fort Aguada Jail Museum, the Ashok Stambh with a large statue of Bharat Mata symbolising India’s complete freedom, and the statue of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, who played a key role in initiating Goa’s freedom movement. It also features Ghode Modni, a traditional Goan warrior folk dance.
The tableau was conceptualised, designed and fabricated by Ponda-based artist Sushant Khedekar. The design was selected by a state-level selection committee headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Fabrication work was carried out at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp in Delhi Cantonment by a team of Goan artisans.
Music for the tableau has been composed by Dr Saish Deshpande, costumes were designed by Sangeeta Khedekar, and the folk dance segment is presented by a group represented by Dinesh Priolkar.
The tableau is displayed under the Department of Information and Publicity. Goa has also set up a tourism pavilion and a food stall showcasing Goan cuisine under the Department of Tourism to promote the state nationally.
