The Assam tableau for the upcoming Republic Day parade was showcased to media persons on Thursday at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp in the national capital, offering a first glimpse of the state’s rich terracotta tradition centred on Asharikandi, a celebrated craft village in western Assam’s Dhubri district.
Nodal Officer Bikram Newar and officials from the Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Assam, were present on the occasion.
At the heart of the tableau is a towering terracotta doll carrying earthen lamps arranged in a circular pattern, forming a visually striking focal point that symbolises light, continuity and tradition.
On either side of the tractor-mounted structure, earthen sarai are displayed along bamboo fencing, highlighting Assam’s abundant bamboo resources and their contribution to the region’s socio-economic development.
The trailer section of the tableau takes the form of a graceful Mayurpangkhi boat, evoking Assam’s deep-rooted riverine heritage. Artisans are depicted shaping hiramati (clay) into divine forms of gods and goddesses such as Ganesh, Kartik, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati, presenting the living process of terracotta craftsmanship.
At the rear end, a traditional pall (sail canvas) enhances the authentic aesthetic of the boat, reinforcing the central role of rivers in Assam’s cultural life.
