Gujarat’s tableau for the Republic Day parade will be themed after the tribal revolutionaries from the state who had devoted themselves to India’s Independence struggle.
The tableau is at least 45 feet long, 14 feet wide and 16 feet high, and comprises a seven-foot statue of Motilal Tejawat – one of the heroes who was considered as the Gandhi of Koliyari by the tribals.
The tableau, designed and constructed by Siddheshwar Kanuga, owner of Smart Graph Art Private Limited – will be themed on tribal revolutionaries with a special focus on an incident that was considered as the “Gujarat’s Jallianwala Bagh,”. In this tragic incident, around 1,200 Bhils were massacred in the Pal- Chitariya and Dadhvaav Villages of the district, the part of the Idar state.
Motilal Tejawat was born into a merchant family in the Adivasi dominated Koliyari village in the Mewad region of Rajasthan. Tejawat was employed by a landlord who used to exploit the tribals and threatened to beat them with shoes if they did not pay taxes, as per the author and chairperson of the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi, Vishnu Pandya and his late wife Arti Pandya in their book ‘Gujarat na Krantiteertho.’ Fed up with these atrocities and exploitation of tribal people, Motilal Tejawat quit his job and mobilized Bhils from Kotda Chhavni, Sirohi and Dants to participate in the event.
The impact of the protest was felt in Vijaynagar, Dadhvaav, Poshina, Khedbrahma, Pal Chitariya. On March 7th 1922, the day marked Amalki Ekadashi, a major festival for the tribals, villagers from Pal Chitariya and Dadhvaav gathered on the banks of Her river under Motilal Tejawat’s leadership to protest held to react against the land revenue taxes by Feudal lords and British.
The Mewad Bhil Corps (MBC), a paramilitary force by the British who were on the lookout for Tejawat, heard of this event and immediately reached the spot. After Tejawat’s anger-filled speech nearly 2000 Bhils raised their voices in support and shouted in unison;” we will not pay the tax” In response, the commanding officer of MBC, HG Sutton ordered his troop to fire, and as the bullets were showered a few fell to death and a few jumped into the well. This information was gathered from local old gazettes and chroniclers.
As per the British records, only 22 were killed but for the Bhils that day they lost around 1,200 to 1,500 people in that firing. Motilal Tejawat was shot twice and was immediately taken back to his vicinity where he was declared dead.
Gujarat’s Tableau will also include a statue of Sutton and six others. Six artists have been selected to perform the pain of the tragic incident. In total there are five murals in the Gujarat Tableau depicting scenes from the incident of 1922. The Tableau has two wells on the sides to showcase the death of the Bhils.
These statues showcase the bravery and courage of the tribal group. There will be a four-foot tall statue of four tribal freedom fighters. The tableau is to have two horses depicting the handmade horses the tribal people offer to their shrines in a ritualistic manner. Ten tribal artists will perform Gair, a folk dance with all traditional music and attire.
A song is sung in the folklore by the tribal people addressing Motilal Tejawat as Koliyari No Vanio Gandhi will be presented along with the tableau.
This incident of Pal Chitariya was brought to light by Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. A memorial of Motilal Tejawat was built at the massacre site surrounded by a Smriti Van. The theme of the Gujarat Tableau was suggested by PM Narendra Modi himself.
