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- Published: January 22, 2021 19:13
New Delhi: At the Republic Day parade in the national capital, Gujarat’s tableau will present replica of world famous ‘Sun Temple’ of Modhera. The tableau has highlighted best combination of sculpture-architecture and culture through a perfect replica of the ‘Sun Temple’ of Modhera.
The tableau has been built by a team of 60 artists after putting toiling, diligent efforts for three months. The tableau is conceived and presented by the Information Department of the State Government at the National Parade on 26th January, every year.
The Sun Temple, located on the banks of Pushpavati River near Mehsana in North Gujarat, was built by King Bhimdev (1st) of the Solanki Dynasty in 1026-27, about a thousand years from now. It is believed that the Sun Temple of Modhera was built even earlier than the Konark Sun Temple in Orissa.
The ‘Maru-Gurjar’ style temple complex has a sanctum sanctorum, Sabha Mandap (Auditorium/audience hall) and Suryakund. The legendary assembly hall of this architecture, which is engraved with poetry as if in stones, has 52 carved pillars symbolizing the 52 weeks of the year, on which scenes of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Krishna Leela are engraved. The main trailer part of the tableau is adorned with a huge auditorium while the tractor part features two pillars like the Kirti-Toran.
On the tableau, leading sculptors have built a perfect replica of the Sun Temple from fiber casting. Dholpur Stone textured colors have been used to create a stone-like replica. The Sun Temple on the tableau has been radiated with LED and flood-lights.
Traditional Tippani Dance to enthrall audience
While the ‘Sun Temple Tableau’ march-pass during the Republic-Day parade on Raj Path, 12 women artists will be presenting ‘Tippani Dance’. The ‘Tippani Dance’ will be presented by Gujarati women artists clad in traditional ‘Jimmy Dress’ to thrill the Raj Path with their rhythmic steps. A special song has been written for this ‘Tippani Dance’. With wordings ‘Surya Dev na Tej Chhe Adkera, Hendone Jaiye Sau Modhera’ (The radiance of Sun-God is unique, Let’s all go to Modhera) Gujarat is inviting tourists from all around the world to arrive at Modhera.”
About 60 artists, including sculptors, painters, fabricators, masons and other artisans, are currently giving final touches to the Tableau in New Delhi. Gujarat’s tableau will adorn Raj Path in New Delhi with its vivid sculptural-architectures replicating the Sun Temple and energetic ‘Tippani Dance’.