With just 12 states putting up their tableaux, the number is down from last year’s 26 to 18 but from what was on show on the full-rehearsal day, there’s enough colour between them to keep the nation engaged for over an hour.

Orissa, Rajasthan and Assam will showcase wildlife. While the tableau from Assam focuses on life in Kaziranga National Park with sounds of birds and langoors filling the air, the Rajasthan tableau displays the wild and harsh beauty of Ranthambore National Park, complete with the model of a tiger.

Orissa will encapsulate the beauty of the sacred hills of Khandagiri and Udayagiri, famous for their magnificent ancient caves with ornate carvings and natural beauty. And with a new chief minister holding fort in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir would display its shikaras and houseboats, reminding the nation of its natural beauty as the state tries to get back on track and attract tourists.

Taking a leaf out of history, Madhya Pradesh will meanwhile remember Tantya Bhil — the “Indian Robin Hood” in the Chambal forests — who epitomised courage while fighting the British.

With its tableau painted by women in images from Madhubani folk paintings, Bihar would showcase the state’s rich Maithili culture this year. With elephants kept away from the Republic Day celebrations this year, life-size elephants cast in fibre glass will be seen on the Kerala tableau, depicting “Pooram” — an annual temple festival held between Thrissur and Palakkad districts.

Andhra Pradesh recalls Telugu poet Tallapaka Annamacharya through its tableau.

Moving away from culture and heritage, Uttarakhand has adventure tourism as its theme — life-size images of enthusiasts doing river rafting, skiing, ice-skating, rock climbing and paragliding are on display.

Delhi is absent this year, too — the last Delhi tableau to float down the Rajpath was in 2007, with women’s empowerment being the theme.