5000+ folk and tribal artists performed 50+ dance forms as the Largest Indian Folk Variety Dance

Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam by the Ministry of Culture & Sangeet Natak Akademi captivated audiences

As per an official release, the Ministry of Culture and SangeetNatak Akademis magnificent performance, Jayati Jai Mama Bharatam (JJMB), mesmerized spectators at the Republic Day Parade 2025. It created a cultural extravaganza that celebrated the rich and colorful legacy of folk and tribal forms of Bharat. This spectacular ensemble featured over 5000 folk and tribal artists representing artistic heritage, youth power and nari shakti (woman-power) drawn from the length and breadth of India. It represented the varied tapestry of culture and diversity of Indias heritage.

The 5,000+ artists performed 50+folk and tribal dance forms, showcasing Indias rich heritage on a global stage. The choreography celebrated the themes of Viksit Bharat, Virasat bhi Vikas bhi, and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

The performance was a vibrant mosaic of over 50 folk and tribal dance forms, seamlessly blending regional identities into a unified expression of national pride.Indias cultural wealth. The dance forms celebrated local traditions and customs, ranging from focus on agricultural practices & harvest rituals, inspired by the natural & animal world, marking auspicious occasions and new beginnings, victory of good over evil etc.

The audience was spellbound by the mesmerizing Padayani from Kerala and the majestic Chhau from Bengal and Odisha, which exemplified the storytelling brilliance of Indian dance forms. The Badhai folk dance of Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, the Mentok Flower Dance marked auspicious occasions and heralded new beginnings. Each performance reflected the cultural identity of its region, combining authentic movements, music, and costumes to create a truly immersive & captivating experience.

The performances grandeur extended to its symbolic representation of Indias unity in diversity. The seamless blending of regional dance forms and musical traditions highlighted the interconnectedness of Indias cultural landscape.

Costumes and Props: Integral to the success of “Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam” was the meticulous attention to detail in costumes and props. Artists adorned themselves in their traditional attire, featuring vibrant colors, intricate embroidery, and region-specific patterns.

Music, Lyrics, Voiceover, Choreography: The musical composition Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam, written by Subhas Sehgal, composed by Shankar Mahadevan, with voice over by Harish Bhimani provided the thematic foundation for this historic performance. The music masterfully bridged Indias traditional sounds with contemporary harmonies, creating a soundscape that resonated with audiences of all generations and pulsated through the entire length of Kartavya Path as a beacon of hope and positivity.

The heralding instruments like Ranashingha, Tutari, and shankh added an auspicious and regal start to the event, creating a rhythm that energized the parade from its very first note.

Guinness World Record Achievement:Adding to the grandeur and festive mood, Jayati Jai Mamah Bharatam etched its name in history by setting a Guinness World Record for The Largest Indian Folk Variety Dance.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with Shri Arunish Chawla, Secretary, Ministry of Culture and other officials of Ministry of Culture received the certificate on behalf of all the artists. This moment of recognition marked a source of pride for the nation, celebrating the collective efforts of thousands of artists, Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Ministrys dedication to showcasing Indias artistic heritage on an unparalleled scale.

It is the main attraction of India’s three-day Republic Day celebrations.

The parade began after President Droupadi Murmu unfurled national flag, followed by salute from parade commander Lt General Bhavnish Kumar. In a rare coincidence, parade commander Lt General Bhavnish Kumar took part in the R-day parade with his son Lieutenant Ahan Kumar who led the contingent of the iconic 61 Cavalry on Kartavya Path. The parade concluded with grand celebration after national anthem.

This year there were 31 tableaux from various states and services on the theme Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas. Top leaders from the countries of all continents forwarded their congratulatory messages to the top leaders of the country.