Andhra Pradesh tableau wins Central govt. award in R-Day parade

For the first time in 30 years, State wins Central government award for its tableau — third prize in the jury category.

As part of the 76th Republic Day parade held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, the Andhra Pradesh tableau was honoured with a jury award by the Central government.

This tableau, showcasing the significance of the State’s handicrafts while symbolising its rich heritage, was designed using the iconic Etikoppaka toys, said Himanshu Shukla, director, Department of Information and Public Relations in a statement here on Wednesday. He added that it stood out as the highlight of the Republic Day celebrations and drew the attention of people from across the nation.

“On social media, millions of people expressed admiration for the tableau. With a vision to promote the State’s handlooms and handicrafts on national and international platforms, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s vision was brought to life through the Information and Public Relations department. The tableau featured a statue of Lord Ganesha at the front and Lord Venkateswara at the rear, flanked by the Bobbili Veena and traditional Telugu jewellery, offering a true reflection of the State’s cultural essence,” Mr.Shukla said.

As the tableau moved, a song highlighting the beauty of the Etikoppaka toys played, describing them as “Toys of Andhra Pradesh, dolls that teach knowledge, toys that bring joy, toys that express devotion, and toys that celebrate handcrafts and nature’s colours.”

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and several Central ministers were in awe of the tableau’s beauty. Netizens, too, shared photographs and videos of the tableau widely on social media, with many setting it as their display picture. Moreover, the Etikoppaka tableau received tremendous support in online voting polls.

For the first time in 30 years, Andhra Pradesh won a Central government award for its tableau — third prize in jury category — at the Republic Day parade in Delhi.

Both Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan took to social media to share their joy over the tableau. The State government is also promoting the international recognition of Etikoppaka toys through geo-tagging, further enhancing their global visibility.