As many as 20 tribal groups from across the country, including Thang-Ta artistes from Manipur, are warming up for the first Military Tattoo and Tribal Dance Festival - Aadi Shaurya-Parv Parakram Ka - to be held at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in New Delhi on January 23-24.
The festival is being organised as a part of the Republic Day Celebrations 2023 and to mark the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (Parakram Diwas), in an effort to showcase the ethnic beauty of the Indian tribal culture and the prowess of the Armed Forces, official sources said.
"It is a unique initiative taken to celebrate Parakram Diwas on the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose... It is a display of military tattoo and tribal dance forms representing Adi Shaurya," Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda said.
The dance performances include Thang-Ta, Khukhri Dance, Gatka, Mallakhamb and Kalaripaytu among others. additional secretary Tribal Affairs, R Jaya told mediapersons on Tuesday. He said well-known singer Kailash Kher would also perform at the grand finale of the festival.
“We are expecting a grand programme where military jawans will perform and there will be a dance performance by 20 tribal groups. For the first time this type of programme is being organized in Amrit Kaal," he said, adding that the military tattoo includes paramotor gliding, hot air Balloon, horse show, motorcycle display, air warrior drill, navy band.
The festival is being organised in remembrance of the sacrifices made by the country’s bravehearts and celebrate the rich cultural heritage which makes India so unique and diverse. It is to celebrate together the bravery of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose; embrace the true spirit of India and renew the commitment to building a strong and prosperous ‘New India’, the ministry stated in a release.
"Tribals have been protectors of the country's resources i.e Jal, Jangal and Jameen ( Water, forest, land) since times immemorial," Munda said, adding that they fought valiantly against the colonial rule and laid their lives for the country during the freedom struggle.
Saying that Adi Shaurya or 'Parv Parakram ka' combines culture with courage in an impactful manner, the Union minister urged all to witness the wonderful display of tribal dance forms drawn from various parts of the country in the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
The event is being organised jointly by the Defence and the Tribal Affairs ministries, with the Indian Coast Guard being the coordinating agency, the ministry said. Free tickets are available for the two-day festival through www.bookmyshow.com, it added.
