Punjab: Army band concert spellbinds audience

Chandigarh, Sep 16: The Western Command diamond jubilee celebrations at the Chandimandir military station hit a high note last evening with a spellbinding symphonic band concert conducted by Lt Col Noel Andrew and played by different army bands.

Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha, Governor of Jammu and Kashmir was the Chief Guest on the occasion, which was attended by Lt Gen Daljeet Singh, GOC-in-C, Western Command; Lt Gen A N Aul, Chief of Staff, HQWC and other senior officers of the Command.

Bands from the Armoured Corps Centre and School, Rajputana Rifles Regimental Centre, 14 Gorkha Training Centre and the Army Fusion Band enthralled the audience by playing a number of tunes.

Sub Prem Bhadur Pun, Sub Ramesh Chand and Sub Ashok Kumar Barua were among the other conductors of the band concert.

The band started their performance with 'Fanfare and Soliloquy', a piece which begins with a flourish of trumpets. This was followed by 'Light Cavalry', which symbolises the charge of the cavalry into the battle field, their victory in war, the suffering of the wounded soldiers, the pathos and finally the departure of these forces.

Principal conductor Col Andrew conducted the band.

'Raag Yaman', played with all seven notes, Maa Madhiayam as Sharp or Teever has been arranged for the military band by L B Gurung.

This was followed by the 'Spanish Gypsy Dance and Marriette Polka'and 'Dharam Karam' a patriotic song for inspiring the warrior.

The band concert went on to play the 'O Sole Mio', 'Abide With Me' and concluded with Dr Zhivago's 'Lara's Theme&and Theme of Love Story' again conducted by Col Andrew.

The six-day long celebrations conclude tomorrow with a 'Barakhana' for the troops and a variety entertainment programme.

UNI