All new tunes to be played at this year's 'Beating the Retreat'

New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) All new 22 tunes, except the finale -- Mahatma Gandhi's favourite 'Abide With Me' --, would be played at this year's 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony on January 29 at the historic Vijay Chowk on Rajpath here.

Thirty-five bands, comprising more than 500 men, from the three services will perform at the traditional ceremony, which brings down curtains on the Republic Day celebrations.

Of these 27 are from the Army and four each from the Navy and the Air Force. While 20 are military bands (brass bands), the rest are of the Pipes and Drums variety.

Though the Army had been the traditional 'drummers' for the event, for the first time the Navy and the Air Force would also be chipping in this year.

Also, for the first time the 'Gateway Lullaby' -- tribute to the Gateway of India at Mumbai -- would be played at the gala event.

The 'fanfare' begins with the announcement of the arrival of the President -- Commander of the Armed Forces, by trumpeters, buglers and echo buglers, placed strategically at the North and the South Block and Vayu and Rail Bhawans.

This is followed by playing of the 'National Anthem' and 'Hindustan Hamara Hai' by Massed Military Bands -- ten from the Army and four each from the Navy and Air Force.

After this the Army's massed Pipes and Drums bands play six tunes in succession followed by four each by the Air Force and Navy.

The last 'chunk', comprising the evergreen 'Kadam Barhaye Ja', comes next which is succeeded by massed military bands 'Thunderer' and 'Abide With Me' -- the Mahatma's favourite.

The bands make an exit with Iqbal's all time favourite, 'Sare Jahan Se Accha' after an hour's performance.

UNI