Grand Vande Mataram Performance by 2,500 Artists Celebrates India's Unity at Republic Day Parade
In a spectacular display of India's rich cultural heritage, approximately 2,500 artists from diverse regions of the country came together on Monday during the 77th Republic Day parade at Kartavya Path in Delhi. Their collective performance on the national song Vande Mataram, which served as this year's theme, beautifully embodied the nation's spirit of unity in diversity.
Dream Come True for Performers
Performing in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, foreign dignitaries, and numerous key personalities was described as a dream come true for many of the artists. The annual parade and the days spent in Delhi leading up to the Republic Day celebrations have created cherished memories that participants will treasure for years to come.
Artists donned traditional costumes representing different states, creating a vibrant tapestry of India's cultural landscape. Different groups presented various classical and folk dance forms during the performance, showcasing the country's artistic diversity.
Dedicated Preparation Across States
The performance required extensive preparation from participants across India. Around 10 students from Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara, Gujarat, practiced for 25 days prior to the event. All undergraduate students in performing arts specializing in Bharatanatyam, they expressed some anxiety about the performance despite years of practice in the classical dance form.
"We practiced for a long time even though it was a small performance," said Divya Patel, Assistant Professor in the Performing Arts department at the university.
From Assam, Disha Handique, 20, along with her group of six, performed Sattriya, a classical dance form from the state. The group comprises students from Srimanta Sankaradeva University in Guwahati who practiced for 12 days. Handique expressed awe at the other performances, stating they were "so beautiful that I can't even express it in words."
Preserving Folk Traditions
For artists from Chhattisgarh, presenting their folk dance 'Gedi' or bamboo dance served as reassurance that their traditional art form remains alive and thriving. The group of 35 dancers from Bilaspur included both fresh entrants and those who have been practicing for decades. They began their practice sessions on January 6, starting at 7:30 am each day.
"The last three days were the most exciting when we rehearsed at Kartavya Path. This is the best experience of my life... my parents are very proud of me," said Priyanshu Bhaskar, 20.
Another group member highlighted the significance of the platform: "This is a very great platform to showcase our folk dance... This costume is also fully handmade and takes around 12 days to make. This gives us visibility."
First-Time Experiences and Lasting Memories
A group from Manipur experienced Delhi for the first time through this performance. "This has been our first time performing in Delhi and that too on Republic Day. I'm seeing the Capital for the first time," said Paolam Janet, 23, who is pursuing a diploma in dance along with others in her group.
For many student performers, unexpected moments created special memories. Many were delighted to catch glimpses of fighter jet sorties during rehearsals. "While we couldn't see the parade today, we have been in awe of these formations by the jets during the practice sessions," one student remarked.
Beyond the performance itself, participants created personal memories during their Delhi stay. For Elina, 24, from the Manipur group, the most treasured memory was visiting Sarojini Nagar, the hub of flea shopping. "We used to get a window of a few hours from 11 am till 3 pm... we used to rush there. We have brought lots of clothes," she shared.
Challenges Amid Celebration
While the experience was overwhelmingly positive, some participants noted challenges. Disha Handique commented on Delhi's air quality: "I really enjoyed the entire experience of performing in front of so many dignitaries, but the air in Delhi is very bad. Ever since we landed here, the air smells different and makes us feel a little nauseous."
Despite such concerns, the overwhelming sentiment among the 2,500 artists was one of pride, accomplishment, and celebration of India's cultural unity through diversity. Their synchronized performance of Vande Mataram served as a powerful reminder of the nation's shared heritage and collective spirit.
