Under fire for J&K’s Republic Day tableau, artist Balwant Thakur says ‘political score-settling unfair’

Under attack for “reflecting foreign Muslim and European influences” in the Jammu and Kashmir’s tableau during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, artist Balwant Thakur on Thursday (January 29, 2026) said blaming art or artists and turning a national achievement into a platform for political score-settling was unfair and unwarranted.

“Unfortunately, a few ill-informed voices have chosen to politicise this rare achievement by alleging regional bias. It is important to place facts on record. A tableau is a visual narrative, created within a strict time frame of about 45 seconds, built around a single theme. To make an impact, only one aspect of one subject can be highlighted,” Mr. Thakur, who served as Secretary of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for eight years, said.

This year’s J&K tableau showcased a large houseboat with iconic handicrafts on display, including Samovar (used to prepare local tea), Pashmina weaving, walnut wood carving, carpet weaving, papier-mâché, copperware and Basohli miniature paintings. Besides, a Dogra Chhajja performance, Rouf, Kud, Jagarna, Pahari, Gojri, and Dumhal were also performed.

The design and concept earned J&K the second position at the national level.

However, the curator of the tableau faced criticism from a section of society in Jammu. “It is an honour that belongs to Jammu & Kashmir as a whole. Let us not allow a moment of pride to be diluted by unqualified controversies raised for attention or publicity,” Mr. Thakur said.

This year, the theme was handicrafts of Jammu & Kashmir. “While efforts were made to include crafts from both regions, the National Selection Committee — not the artist — insisted that only those handicrafts with established national and international presence be showcased. In such circumstances, the scope for deviation is limited,” Mr. Thakur said.

The vision for tableaux comes from the government and the National Committee for R-Day. “Artist translates that vision into a visual form. It is also important to understand that there is no regional representation in tableaus. Themes are proposed by States/UTs but are finalised, supervised, and approved by a National Committee of eminent painters, sculptors, musicians, designers, directors, costume experts, and fabricators,” he added.

He said the second position the J&K tableaux earned was “an honour that belongs to Jammu & Kashmir as a whole”. “Let us not allow a moment of pride to be diluted by unqualified controversies raised for attention or publicity,” Mr. Thakur said.

Mr. Thakur’s clarification came in the wake of criticism he faced from social media influencers in Jammu and Kashmiri Pandits.

“The tableaux was completely unrepresentative of the age-old civilization, culture, tradition and deep philosophical message on behalf of the UT of J&K. Samavor is not indigenous to Kashmir and has been imported from Central Asia (Samarkand) and was brought to J&K by the foreign invaders, looters and perpetrators of genocide and ethnic cleansing,” Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, senior BJP leader and Kashmiri Pandit leader, said.

He said houseboats represented European intervention in Kashmir especially during the British Raj. “These originally belong to the Netherlands and the other regions of Western Europe. They don’t represent our civilization and culture,” Mr. Chrungoo said.

He said J&K has a rich cultural tradition of more than five thousand years and our scriptures, architecture, historical documentation, cultural tradition and customs and usages are testimony of this fact of our civilization and history.

“Kashmir is the mother of Natyashastra and classical music. Rabab is also a foreign instrument of music that has a connection with the outside factors rather than a relation with the originality of Kashmir’s rich tradition. It also doesn’t fully represent our great tradition of classical music, dance and folklore,” the BJP leader said.

He appealed to J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to set up an inquiry and investigation into the whole episode. 

Published – January 30, 2026 10:21 am IST