To commemorate India’s 76th Republic Day on January 26, Google marked the special day with a unique Doodle. It underlined the biodiversity of India in a single animated piece created by Pune-based artist Rohan Dahotre, on the homepage for Indian users on that day. It has captured the parade of animals from across different parts of India, which have donned local costumes and carry indigenous instruments like flute and thumba.
The bipedal snow leopard, a symbol of the Himalayas, leads the parade. Then comes the gharial, a freshwater crocodile that is native to central and northern India. The Bengal Tiger, India’s national animal, and the red panda, which represents Sikkim, are also included. The Indian paradise flycatcher and the Indian giant squirrel, with a Tutari, represent different regions like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The Indian peafowl flies over the blackbuck and great hornbill in this festive representation.
Google Doodle
Dahotre shared that he had wanted to draw a diverse group of Indian people but decided on anthropomorphic animals as it would be more interesting and more inclusive. He explained, “My illustration draws inspiration from the diverse wildlife of my nation.”Dahotre further highlighted India’s incredible biodiversity, stating that it spans across different habitats from the cold Himalayan regions to the lush Western Ghats, “where new species are still being discovered.” His Doodle is an attempt to reflect both the biological and cultural diversity of India and at the same time, campaigns for the preservation of its ecological heritage.