22 new tunes played at this year's 'Beating Retreat' ceremony

New Delhi, Jan 29 (UNI) Curtains came down on Republic Day celebrations this evening with the majestic 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony being held at Vijay Chowk on the historic Rajpath here, which saw 22 new tunes being played to mark the occasion.

Except for the 'finale' -- Mahatma Gandhi's favourite 'Abide With Me' -- the ceremony saw the beautiful evening rent with magical 22 new tunes of the total 23 played, which also saw the Navy and the Air Force participating for the first time along with the Army -- the traditional 'drummers' for the event.

Another first at the gala annual 'show' was the playing of the tune 'Gateway Lullaby' -- a tribute to the 'Gateway of India' at Mumbai.

In all 35 bands, comprising more than 500 men, from all the three services lend the traditional ceremony its grandeur, grace and golden hue -- bringing alive a lively page from the 'Raj' days.

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

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 Bhawan and Rail Bhawan, while 'His Highness' rode through the Rajpath on a six-door limousine and took his 'high chair'.

This was 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 played six tunes in succession followed by four each by the Air Force and Navy.

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

The bands made an exit with Iqbal's all time favourite, 'Sare Jahan Se Accha' after an hour's performance and the entire 'ceremony arena' lit up with thousands of bulbs, bathing the evening into another colourful showbiz.

UNI