'Nari shakti' and women empowerment dominated the theme of tableaux of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, at the Republic Day parade.

Kerala presented the tableau titled 'Nari Shakti and Folk Traditions of Women Empowerment' that included Kalaripayattu, a martial art with more than 2,000 years history.

The tableau connected women empowerment with the state's literacy mission.

The tractor portrayed Karthyayani Amma, the winner of Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2020 who topped the literacy examination at the age of 96. Nanchiyamma, the first tribal woman to bag the national film award in 2022 for best playback singing is seen saluting the nation.

Women are performing Kalaripayattu and the legendary Unni Archa who is known for expertise in Kalaripayattu in Kerala's folklore is portrayed at the top.

Tamil Nadu's tableau was based on women empowerment and culture of the state which prevailed from the Sangam era to the present day.

The front portion of the tableau showcased a statue of poet Avvaiyar, an icon for intellectual women. She wrote 'Aathichoodi' and 'Kondraiventhan' amongst several other finest poems. She is also known as a noble and worshipable saint of exponential morality.

On either side of the front portion, the statue of Veeramangal Velu Naachiar riding on a horse is placed. She was the queen of Sivaganga (1780-90), who stood as an epitome of bravery and waged war against the East India Company.

The middle portion of the tableau showcased statues of eminent women personalities namely Carnatic singer M S Subbulakhsmi, the great Bharatanatyam exponent Tanjore Balasaraswati, social reformer and doctor Muthulakhmi Reddy, author and political activist of the Dravidian Movement Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar and Pappammal, a popular organic farmer still active at the age of 105 in her agriculture field.

The rear portion of the tableau showcased the replica of Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple built by Chola King Rajaraja Chozhan.

The temple is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On ground, the artistes were seen performing Karagaattam, along with a group of musicians in traditional attire playing Kombu (Horn), Naadaswaram and Thavil.

(With inputs from PTI)

Also Read: China, 1962 And 2022: Why Arunachal's Republic Day Tableau This Year Is Special

Tamil Nadu tableau

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