The saga of tribal heroes will come alive in Chhattisgarh’s tableau on Kartavya Path

Grand exhibition of the country’s first tribal digital museum on the theme ‘Mantra of Freedom – Vande Mataram’
Press preview organized at Rashtriya Rangshala Camp
New Delhi, January 22, 2026- Chhattisgarh’s tableau, set to roll out on Kartavya Path on Republic Day, is poised to become a major center of attraction for the countrymen this year. This tableau, based on the theme “Mantra of Freedom – Vande Mataram”, will grandly present the glorious saga of the country’s first digital museum dedicated to tribal heroes.
The Chhattisgarh tableau was showcased to the national media during a press preview organized by the Ministry of Defence at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp today. Through the tableau, a tribute has been paid to those immortal tribal heroes who fought against the unjust laws of British rule and sacrificed their lives for freedom.
In memory of these great martyrs, the country’s first tribal digital museum has been established in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, where 14 major tribal freedom movements from across the country, including Chhattisgarh, have been preserved using modern digital technologies. This historic museum was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the occasion of the silver jubilee of Chhattisgarh’s state formation.
After receiving final approval from the expert committee, officials and artists of the Public Relations Department have worked day and night for the past month to finalize the tableau. This year, 17 state tableaux have been selected to participate in the Republic Day parade organized on Kartavya Path.
Inspiring scenes depicted in the tableau
The front part of the tableau depicts Veer Gunda Dhur, the hero of the historic Bhumkal rebellion of 1910. This great leader of the Dhurva community united the tribal society against injustice. Mango twigs and dry chillies, symbols of the Bhumkal rebellion, are specially displayed in the tableau. The magnitude of the rebellion can be gauged from the fact that the British had to call in troops from Nagpur, yet they failed to capture Veer Gunda Dhur.
The rear part of the tableau shows Chhattisgarh’s first martyr, Veer Narayan Singh, mounted on a horse and holding a sword. He fought for the rights of the poor and deprived during a famine and played a leading role in the first war of independence in 1857. The entire tableau impressively expresses the indomitable courage, patriotism, and unwavering resolve for freedom of the tribal society.