The Jammu and Kashmir tableau set to roll down Kartavya Path during the Republic Day parade will present the Union Territory as a seamless cultural continuum, blending traditional handicrafts with vibrant folk performance traditions, officials said on Thursday.
Conceptualised, designed, and fabricated by Padma Shri awardee Balwant Thakur and produced by Natrang Jammu, the tableau is themed “Handicrafts and Folk Dances of Jammu & Kashmir.” It seeks to highlight the region’s rich craft heritage alongside its living folk culture, while reflecting the evolving identity of a “Naya Jammu and Kashmir.”
Thakur said one side of the tableau will focus on Kashmir’s age-old craftsmanship, featuring a traditional engraved samavar, cascading Kani shawls, hand-knotted carpets with geometric patterns, walnut wood carvings, papier-mache artefacts, and Pahari miniature paintings, with special emphasis on the Basohli style.
The other side of the tableau will transition into performance, with a fusion of rabab, santoor, and flute setting the tone for folk dances. Performers dressed in traditional attire will present Rouf, Kud, and folk dances from the Pahari, Bhadarwahi, and Gojri regions.
A 15-member team of handicraft and folk artists will be part of the presentation, Thakur said.
Saffron will also feature prominently as a key visual element of the tableau. “The saffron motif symbolises the soul of Kashmir, reflecting the deep connection between land, labour, and heritage,” he added.
Thakur said work on the tableau began in December and is now in its final stages.
Referring to earlier Republic Day presentations, he said Jammu and Kashmir’s tableaux in recent years have traced the region’s evolving narrative, from highlighting development in 2022 to projecting the idea of ‘Naya Kashmir’ following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2023, and showcasing handicrafts and saffron cultivation at Bharat Parv 2024.
“The 2025 tableau continues this journey by bringing together scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and creative vitality in a single visual story,” he said.
