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Beating Retreat 2024: Vijay Chowk to Echo with Patriotic Melodies

The Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk will mark the grand finale of the 77th Republic Day celebrations. Dignitaries including President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will witness performances by military and police bands. The musical program features a wide array of patriotic compositions, culminating with the iconic "Sare Jahan Se Acha". This year's event uniquely honours India's musical heritage by naming seating enclosures after classical instruments.

Key Points: Beating Retreat Ceremony 2024: Schedule, Performances, Attendees

  • Ceremony concludes Republic Day festivities
  • Features bands from all armed forces & CAPF
  • President, VP, PM among dignitaries attending
  • Includes tunes like Sare Jahan Se Achha & Vande Mataram
  • Seating named after classical Indian instruments
2 min read

National Capital gears up for Beating Retreat tomorrow

President Murmu, PM Modi to attend Beating Retreat at Vijay Chowk. Bands from Army, Navy, IAF, CAPF to play patriotic tunes, concluding Republic Day.

"transforms the backdrop of Raisina Hills into a symphony of national pride - Article"

New Delhi, Jan 28

New Delhi gears up for a stirring musical finale as the Beating Retreat ceremony unfolds on Thursday at the historic Vijay Chowk, officially drawing the curtains on the 77th Republic Day festivities.

This timeless tradition, blending military precision with patriotic melodies, transforms the backdrop of Raisina Hills into a symphony of national pride.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with other Union Ministers, senior officials, and enthusiastic members of the public, will witness the spectacle.

The evening will commence with the massed bands striking up the invigorating 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja'. The Pipes and Drums ensemble then enchants with evocative pieces like 'Atulya Bharat', 'Veer Sainik', 'Mili Jhuli', 'Nritya Sarita', 'Marooni', and 'Jhelum'.

Central Armed Police Forces bands will follow, delivering high-energy renditions of 'Vijay Bharat', 'Hathrohi', 'Jai Ho', and 'Veer Seepahi'. The Indian Air Force band will contribute soaring tunes such as 'Brave Warrior', 'Twilight', 'Alert', and 'Flying Star', while the Indian Navy band will offer nautical-inspired melodies including 'Namaste', 'Sagar Pawan', 'Matribhumi', 'Tejasvi', and 'Jai Bharati'.

The Indian Army band will take centre stage with powerful compositions: 'Vijayee Bharat', 'Aarambh Hai, Prachand Hai', 'Aye Watan, Aye Watan', 'Anand Math', 'Sugamya Bharat', and 'Sitare Hind'. The massed bands will unite once more for 'Bharat Ke Shaan', the timeless 'Vande Mataram', and the rhythmic 'Drummers Call'.

The ceremony will reach its climax as buglers play the beloved 'Sare Jahan Se Acha', symbolising unity and enduring spirit. Leading this grand performance is principal conductor Squadron Leader Leimapokpam Rupachandra Singh.

Guiding individual contingents are Subedar Major Prakash Joshi (Indian Army), M Antony, MCPO MUS II (Indian Navy), Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar (Indian Air Force), INSP Chetram (Central Armed Police Forces), Subedar SP Chourasia (Pipes & Drums), and Subedar Manoj Kumar (Buglers).

Adding a unique cultural touch this year, seating enclosures bear names of revered Indian classical instruments: Bansuri, Damaru, Ektara, Esraj, Mridangam, Nagada, Pakhawaj, Santoor, Sarangi, Sarinda, Sarod, Shehnai, Sitar, Surbahar, Tabla, and Veena-celebrating the nation's rich musical heritage.

Rooted in colonial-era military customs yet infused with indigenous tunes, the Beating Retreat has evolved into a powerful expression of India's armed forces' discipline, valour, and cultural depth.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Love the new touch of naming enclosures after classical instruments! It's a wonderful nod to our rich cultural heritage. Bansuri, Tabla, Sitar... just reading the names makes me want to hear the music. Well done to the organisers for this creative idea.
R
Rohit P
The lineup of tunes is fantastic this year. 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja' to start is so stirring. It's amazing how a colonial-era ceremony has been so beautifully Indianized with our own martial and folk music. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
Watching this ceremony on TV is a family tradition for us. The precision, the music, the setting against Raisina Hills... it's simply spectacular. My kids love identifying the different bands. A truly unifying national event.
V
Vikram M
While the ceremony is magnificent, I do wish there was a way for more common people to attend easily. The tickets are always so hard to get. Perhaps a larger venue or a live screening in nearby parks could be considered for next year? Just a thought.
M
Meera T
The conductors and leaders mentioned from all forces... Subedar Major Prakash Joshi, Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar... these are the real stars. Salute to their dedication and talent. They make the nation proud with every note.

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