By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts Cookies Policy.
Beating the Retreat ceremony 2017 LIVE Streaming – Watch full video of the annual musical extravaganza at Vijay Chowk
During this year’s in Beating the Retreat ceremony, a total of 16 Military Bands, 16 Pipes and Drums Bands from Regimental Centres and Battalions are participating.
New Delhi, Jan 29: The ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony, an annual musical extravaganza, will be held today at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi at 4.45 PM. The ceremony marks the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations and is held on January 29th every year. Elaborate arrangements have been made to maintain law and order in the national capital in wake of the ongoing celebrations.
During this year’s in Beating the Retreat ceremony, a total of 16 Military Bands, 16 Pipes and Drums Bands from Regimental Centres and Battalions are participating. The principal conductor of the grand ceremony will be Squadron leader G Jayachandran while Army bands conductor will be Subedar Major Hemraj. The Navy and Air Force band commanders will be Master Chief Petty Officer (Musician-I) Ramesh Chand and Junior Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar respectively.
Apart from this, each of Indian Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) band will also participate in the extravaganza. About 26 performances on the historic Vijay Chowk that are mostly composed by Indian musicians will thrill the audience with patriotic fervour. The ‘Beating Retreat’ marks a centuries old military tradition in which Colours and Standards are cased and flags are being lowered.
The ‘Beating the Retreat’ creates nostalgia for the times gone by. A band of State Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) that includes the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Delhi Police are all geared up to enthrall the spectators with their mesmerizing, foot tapping music. The conductor of the State Police and CAPF bands will be Inspector Lal Singh. Buglers will perform under the leadership of Sub Parbat Singh and pipes and drums bands will play under the instructions of Sub Maj Gopal Singh. (ALSO SEE: Pictures of the colourful display on January 26 at Rajpath in New Delhi)
A government release stated that the tunes to be rendered are Singarh, Patni Top, Mony Musk, Jak Wilson, General Tappy, The Gael, Scotland the Brave, Jal Nidhi, Yaman, Sky Lark, Veer Bharat, Pyari Bhumi, Take to the Sky, Victory Dhun, Air Force Colours, Benihal, Indian Fleet, Admirals Ensignia, Jai Bharti, Appu, Call of the Heart, Gulmarg, Drummers Call, Army Star, Abide with Me and lastly the ever-popular Sare Jahan Se Acha. While the tunes are a mix of Indian and Western compositions the dominance of the Desi tunes will add special flavour to the ceremony.
All you need to know about the ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony:
- The ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony at the Vijay Chowk takes place on January 29th every year.
- It marks the culmination of the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations.
- The ceremony traces its origins to the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army indigenously developed the unique ceremony of display by the massed bands.
- The Chief Guest of the function is the President of India who arrives escorted by the President’s Bodyguards (PBG), a cavalry unit.
- The ceremony was started in the early 1950s when Major G.A.Roberts better known as Robbie from Grenadier battalion of the Indian army was asked to develop the ceremony of display by the massed bands.
- It is performed by the bands of the three wings of the military, the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force, and pipe bands from the Army, plus from 2016 a massed formation of bands of the Central Armed Police Forces and the Delhi Police.
- The ceremony has emerged as an event of national pride when the Colours and Standards are paraded and creates nostalgia for the times gone by.
- ‘Beating Retreat’ marks a centuries old military tradition, when the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield and returned to the camps at sunset at the sounding of the Retreat. Colours and Standards are cased and flags lowered.
Also Read:
For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest India News on India.com.