Guwahati, Jan 23: Assam’s tableau for the Republic Day parade was unveiled on Thursday at the Rashtriya Rangshala Camp, highlighting the terracotta craft of Asharikandi village in Dhubri district.

The tractor-mounted float, unveiled by Nodal Officer Bikram Newar and officials from Assam’s Cultural Affairs Department, features a towering terracotta doll holding earthen lamps arranged in a circular pattern, symbolizing light, tradition, and continuity. Earthen sarais displayed against bamboo fencing emphasize Assam’s bamboo resources and their role in local socio-economic development.

Designed to resemble a Mayurpangkhi boat, the tableau reflects Assam’s riverine culture. It depicts artisans shaping local clay into deities including Ganesh, Kartik, Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, highlighting Asharikandi’s traditional terracotta craftsmanship. A traditional sail canvas at the rear reinforces the significance of rivers in Assamese life.

The display aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, presenting Asharikandi—the largest Assamese terracotta and pottery cluster—as a model of self-reliance. The craft, introduced in the early 19th century by potters migrating from East Bengal (now Bangladesh), has been preserved by generations of artisan families through products like puttola toys and the Hatima doll. Late artisan Sarala Bala Devi received a National Award in 1982 for her Hatima doll. In March 2024, Dhubri’s terracotta craft received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, the sixth in Assam, enhancing its national recognition.

The tableau celebrates Asharikandi’s artistic legacy and the artisan spirit driving economic resilience in the region.