As the sun sets over the majestic Raisina Hills on January 29, 2024, the historic Vijay Chowk will set the stage for the grand finale of the 75th Republic Day celebrations with the ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony. Distinguished guests, including President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, other Union Ministers, senior officials, and the general public will gather to witness this patriotic spectacle.
The musical extravaganza will feature performances by the music bands of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). A total of 31 captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes will be played, beginning with the massed band’s ‘Shankhnaad’ tune. The ceremony promises a diverse repertoire, including tunes like ‘Veer Bharat,’ ‘Sangam Dur,’ ‘Deshon ka Sartaj Bharat,’ ‘Bhagirathi,’ and ‘Arjuna’ by the Pipes and Drums band, while CAPF bands will showcase ‘Bharat Ke Jawan’ and ‘Vijay Bharat,’ among others.
The Indian Air Force band will present tunes like ‘Tiger Hill,’ ‘Rejoice in Raisina,’ and ‘Swadeshi,’ while the Indian Navy band will captivate the audience with tunes such as ‘INS Vikrant,’ ‘Mission Chandrayaan,’ ‘Jai Bharati,’ and ‘Hum Tayyar Hain.’ The Indian Army band will contribute with patriotic tunes like ‘Faulad Ka Jigar,’ ‘Agniveer,’ ‘Kargil 1999,’ and ‘Taqat Watan.’
Led by principal conductor Lt Col Vimal Joshi, the ceremony will also feature conductors Subedar Major Moti Lal, MCPO MUS II M Antony, Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar, and Constable GD Ranidevi, guiding the bands through their performances.
The Buglers, under the leadership of Naib Subedar Umesh Kumar, and the Pipes and Drums band, directed by Subedar Major Rajender Singh, will add a unique touch to the event.
‘Beating Retreat’ has its roots in the early 1950s when Major Roberts of the Indian Army developed this unique ceremony. Reflecting a centuries-old military tradition, the ceremony evokes nostalgia for times gone by, symbolizing the troops ceasing fighting, sheathing their arms, and withdrawing from the battlefield at sunset. Colors and standards are cased, and flags are lowered, marking the end of the event with the ever-popular tune of ‘Sare Jahan se Acha.’