New Delhi:  A tableau depicting the Belagavi Congress Session of 1924 will represent Karnataka at the Republic Day Parade this year in New Delhi on Jan. 26. The 1924 Congress Session held on Dec. 26 and 27 is unique as it was the only session that was chaired by Mahatma Gandhi.

Karnataka has been chosen for the tenth consecutive time by the Centre to display its tableau during the 70th Republic Day Parade. This year, coinciding with the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Karnataka has opted to showcase the historic Belgaum Congress Session.

Basavaraj Kambi, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, said the Defence Ministry had given the theme of Mahatma Gandhi for all tableaux this year to mark the Mahatma’s 150th birth anniversary. Karnataka’s tableau was one of the 17 selected.

The designs of various States, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala failed to make it to the final list, but Karnataka’s design of the historic 1924 Belgaum Congress Session was picked by the Defence Ministry, sources in the Department of Information and Public Relations said.

The Belgaum (now Belagavi) Congress Session was a momentous event as it was the only session chaired by Gandhi. His primary objective was to restore unity between Hindus and Muslims, removal of untouchability, besides underlining the importance of Charaka and Khadi. As the session was held on these principles, which are so relevant till date, Karnataka chose to showcase them in the form of a tableau, officials said.

The front part of the tableau shows the tower of the famous Virupaksha temple in Hampi, with the title ‘temple of freedom’.  A Railway line laid specially for the session has been represented by a train.

The premise in the tableau is named after Vijayanagar. As the flag ceremony was introduced for the first time during the session, the then Tricolour white, green and red with Charaka at the centre is shown prominently. The middle and rear part shows Gandhi delivering his presidential address.

Art Director Shashidhar Adapa, who created the tableau, said extensive research had gone into its design. “We are recreating the stage of the Belagavi session. The main stage was called Vijayanagar and a well was dug up to supply water to the attendees and named Pampa Sarovara. In fact, the well continues to be a source of water in Belagavi to this day,” he said.

Kannada poet Huilgol Narayana Rao wrote his famous poem ‘Udayavagali Namma Cheluva Kannada Nadu’ in praise of a Kannada State. Musician Praveen D. Rao has composed the song which would be rendered at the event, officials said.