Beating Retreat fanfare captivates audiences

Smriti Kak Ramachandran The Hindu- 30 Jan 2010
The colourful ceremony with bands marks the end of Republic Day celebrations
— Photo: Shanker Chakravarty
TRADITION AND GLORY: A view of the Beating Retreat, at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Friday.
NEW DELHI: In the light of the setting sun, men in regalia made music with military precision as they marched down the Raisina Hill on Friday to mark the closure of the Republic Day celebrations.

Under a clear sky and in a patriotic ambience, captivated audiences sat and watched Beating Retreat, the ceremony that dates back to the time when sounding retreat pulled to a halt the day’s fighting.

Led by President Pratibha Patil, also the Supreme Commander of the three Forces, the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, the audience sat through a ceremony that elicits a common response of nationalism and pride.

As men on foot and on horse back marched to the beats of drums and pipes, the air was filled with the rendition of different tunes.

Thirty-five bands from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force took part in the ceremony that began with the arrival of the President marked by fanfare by the buglers.

The first march of the massed band was the popular Sam Bahadur followed by the adroit performance of the pipes and drums which had the audiences tapping the feet with their Surya, Sky Boat Song, Pipers Cave, Highland Laddie and The Marquis of Huntly, among others.

The Naval and Air Force Bands, striking in their appearance and confident in their bearing, charged the atmosphere with their repertoire that included Ocean’s Splendour, Bharatiya Navsena, Sky Hawks, Nocturnal Cry, Swatantra Bharat ki Shan and Subroto.

Their tempo set the pace and had the audience applauding several times. Out in the open the acoustical performance was an experience unmatched.

The military bands with their Hanste Lushai, Gangotri, Abhinandan, Dhola-Re-Dhola were as spectacular to the eye as they were an aural treat. Next it was the massed bands again enthralling the audiences that included Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife, Vice- President Hamid Ansari and his wife, Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi and a host of dignitaries. Their quick march to the tunes of Saare Jahan Se Acha brought the curtains down on the ceremony.
Beating Retreat fanfare captivates audiences

Republic Day "Beating Retreat" cancelled

For the first time, the country will miss this year the magical martial tunes of Beating the Retreat, the last function of the Republic Day celebrations. Government on Tuesday cancelled the programme, held annually on 29th January, in view of former President R Venkataraman's demise.

Bands of the three Services every year play lilting martial tunes at the historic Vijay Chowk just before the sunset, bringing down the curtains of Republic Day celebrations. The President, the Vice President, the Prime Minister and rest of the top brass of the country witness the much-loved event.

Government also decided to cancel the annual PM's NCC Rally, held annually two days after the Republic Day to mark the wind up of the camp held for NCC cadets from across the country.(AKS-28/01)
Republic Day "Beating the Retreat" cancelled

Republic Day Parade 2008

The military contingent contains representatives of all three services of the Armed Forces- Air Force, Navy and Army. There are also massive parades of Police contingents, Home guards , Civil Defense and the National Cadet Corps.

The military parade is followed by a colourful cultural parade. India’s rich cultural heritage is paraded with tableaux from various states. Each state depicts its unique festivals, historical locations and art forms. The most cheered section of the parade is the children who have won National Bravery Awards. They ride past the dais on elephants. School-children from all over the country also participate in the parade. The parade also includes displays of skillful motor-cycle riding, usually by a division from one of the Armed Forces.

The most eagerly awaited part of the parade is the fly past, put on by the Indian Air Force. The parade concludes with a Fly Past, when fighter planes of the IAF roar past the dais, symbolically saluting the President.

However, the official conclusion of Republic Day festivities is much later - on the evening of January 29, three days after Republic Day. This ceremony is called Beating the Retreat.

The procession starts by moving from the Rashtrapati Bhavan through Rajpath, past the India Gate and on to Connaught Place, the heart of the city, to enter the historic Red Fort. The crowds sit on either side of the route and the VIP enclosure is on the Southern flank of Rajpath, near India Gate.