New Delhi, Jan 28: The Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29 at the historic Vijay Chowk, Raisina Hills, will showcase 31 Indian tunes, marking the conclusion of the 75th Republic Day celebrations.
Originating from the early 1950s, Beating Retreat was developed by Major Roberts of the Indian Army as a unique display of massed bands.
The Ministry of Defence highlighted that Beating Retreat honors a centuries-old military tradition, signifying the cessation of fighting at sunset, with troops sheathing their arms and returning to camps. It evokes nostalgia for bygone eras.
The ceremony will feature music bands from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), presenting captivating Indian tunes before President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi.
The performances will commence with the massed band’s ‘Shankhnaad,’ followed by tunes like ‘Veer Bharat,’ ‘Sangam Dur,’ ‘Deshon ka Sartaj Bharat,’ ‘Bhagirathi,’ and ‘Arjuna’ by the Pipes and Drums band. CAPF bands will play tunes like ‘Bharat Ke Jawan’ and ‘Vijay Bharat.’
The Indian Air Force band will present tunes including ‘Tiger Hill,’ ‘Rejoice in Raisina,’ and ‘Swadeshi,’ while the Indian Navy band will showcase ‘INS Vikrant,’ ‘Mission Chandrayaan,’ ‘Jai Bharati,’ and ‘Hum Tayyar Hain.’
The Indian Army band will perform tunes like ‘Faulad Ka Jigar,’ ‘Agniveer,’ ‘Kargil 1999,’ and ‘Taqat Watan,’ among others.
The Massed Bands will conclude with renditions of ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja,’ ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon,’ and ‘Drummers Call,’ culminating in the timeless ‘Sare Jahan Se Acha’ tune.
