Gandhinagar: Gujarat will present the ‘Rani ki Vav: Jal Mandir’ tableau in the national parade organized as a part of the Republic Day celebration to be held in New Delhi on January 26. The pride of Gujarat ‘Rani ki Vav’ (queen’s step well), which has been recognized as ancient engineering marvel and important historical monument by the UNESCO and has given a status of ‘World Heritage Site’.

The Ran ki Vav is the best example of Gujarat’s traditional means for water conservations that exhibits a unique combination of civilization, culture, and arts along with engineering marvel. This ‘Rani ki Vav’ tableau is going to exhibit the great heritage of Gujarat to become a central attraction for the nation at the national parade. Besides Gujarat, as many as sixteen other states’ tableaus have been selected for the national parade.

In addition to these, six other tableaus of various departments of the Central Government have also been selected for the parade.
The original grandeur seven storeyed mausoleum monument of ‘Rani ki Vav’ is located on the banks of historical Sarasvati River at Patan town in Gujarat. It was built by the QueenUdaymati in the memory of her husband King Bheemdev (First) of the Solanki dynasty.

The water wells and reservoirs (chiefly lakes) have always been the lifeline of Gujarat; among them the Rani ki Vav has remained vitally important as ‘Jal Mandir’ (water temple) since centuries.

The Gujarat’s tableau will showcase the grandeur of the ‘Rani ki Vav’. To exhibit the importance of the precious water resources, a large sculpture of rural Gujarat with water-filled earthen pots has been placed in the foreground of the tableau. The sculpture of Lord Vishnu sitting on the left bed is a distinct feature of the Rani ki Vav’ at Patan town; thus, a replica of this sculpture is also placed in the front portion of the tableau to enhance its decoration.

The handlooms of Patan are also world famous for their ‘Patolas’ (Patola Sarees). To introduce this unmatched handloom arts to the world, various patterns and designs of handloom patolas are placed on either sides of the tableau.

In the trailer part of the tableau, the sculpture of ‘Dashaavtar of Lord Vishnu’ as the main theme, along with idols of Indian women showcasing their different form of beauties in complete traditional Indian style have also been placed. These beautiful idols can be viewed by the people sitting on both sides of the parade. The original grandeur seven storeyed mausoleum monument of ‘Rani ki Vav’ has been symbolized with three storeyed replica set on the tableau.
This three storeyed replica includes artistic steps and pillars matching with the grandeur of original Rani ki Vav at Patan city. In addition to these, sculptures of Lord Buddha and other Gods and Goddesses have also been made on the partition walls. A replica of ‘Vaaman Avatar’ of Lord Vishnu is also placed on the rear part of the tableau. Thus, the tableau of ‘Rani ki Vav’ has become a incomparable specimen of art.

Along with this tableau of ‘Rani ki Vav’ of Gujarat Government, as many as 26 artisans will exhibit the arts and culture of Gujarat on the Raj Marg (Royal Path) of New Delhi. In the top portion of the Rani ki Vav Tableau, 10 artists, including a character of mother and an young daughter, will simulate a scene of tourists being offered drinking water by women who are on way to Rani ki Vav to fetch the drinking waters. Five-year-old student Kum. Aagna Soni and 10-year-old student, Kum. Dhyana Soni, both of Prakash Higher Secondary School, Ahmedabad, will act as the water-girls. These tiny girls will become a major attraction of the entire parade. Beside these, another 16 artists holding earthen pots in their hands will accompany with tableau to join the parade with signing traditional Gujarati Garbo “Hu to Patan Sher ni Naar Jau Jal Bharva, Mare Haiye Harakh na My, Jau Jal Bharva… (I am a woman of Patan City, going to fetch the waters; my heart is filled with unlimited happiness, going to fetch the water)”

The guidance and direction in building this tableau were given by Mr. Ashwini Kumar (IAS), Secretary, Information and Broadcast Department, Gujarat Government, Mr. Ashok Kalaria, Information Director, Mr. Arvind Patel, Additional Director, Mr. Pankaj Modi, Deputy Director, and Mr. Hiren Bhatt, Deputy Director. The fabrication and creative works of the tableau were done by the team of ‘The Smart Graph Art Advertising Pvt. Ltd.’, Ahmedabad, consisting of Mr. Siddheshwar Kanuga, Mr. Mayur Vakani and others.
Over all, the tableau has become a vivid replica of ‘The Rani ki Vav’. Thus, it will definitely give a feeling to the spectators as if they were watching, witnessing and experiencing the original grandeur monument of ‘Rani ki Vav’.