Indian military band earns international recognition

Pachmari, MP, July 9 (UNI) Few people would be aware that Indian military band has earned an international recognition due to the five-decade-long penance at an institute in this hill station Pachmarhi -- nestled among Satpura ranges.

The Military Music Wing of the Army Education Corps Training College at Pachmarhi has played an important role in imparting training to bands and military musicians from Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Fiji, Ghana, Kenya and Mauritius among other countries besides bands of three services and paramilitary forces of the country.

It was under the guidance of this institute -- established under the patronage of Field Marshal K M Cariappa on October 23, 1950 -- that Indian Armed Forces entered the Guinness Book of Records for playing 'Amazing Grace' with 4,459 musicians forming the largest military band under one conductor.

Instruments such as sitar, sarod, santoor and tabla are an integral part of training of all the regiments of Indian Army, and it is being enriched with classical music.

Performances by military band during concerts are quite enchanting, while albums and compact discs (CDs) are being prepared.

Fusion of Western and Indian musical traditions has been quite successful at the MMW.

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