The Hindu : New tunes to grace Beating Retreat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 25, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

New tunes to grace Beating Retreat

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JAN. 24. It will be a quick march to a new tune of `peace' for the Army when the final curtain comes down on the Republic Day celebrations this year. Beating retreat on a rather nostalgic `note' this time round, the pipes and drums will come together to bring back memories of a forgotten "queen'': the Chenab.

A new composition added to the Army band repertoire, the melody has been composed and arranged by Major Nazir Hussain. Symbolising "eternal peace", it has been inspired by the river, which originates from the Zanskar range in Himachal and meanders its way through the saffron fields of Kishtwar, through the cool, dark pine forests, it finally merges with the Indus after it passes through the bright gold wheat fields of Pakistan.

While the retreat might have been a colonial legacy, over the years this century- old tradition has added some `desi' elements. With new tunes, carefully composed, finding space alongside older universal tunes easily, the pipers and the brass band will stress on the patriotic. Apart from the Queen of Chenab, the other new compositions are "Mera Bharat Mahan'' - composed by Colonel S C Sharma, "Balidaan" by Major R.K Gurung and one other to honour General Nirmal, who is the present Chief of Army Staff,'' stated Brigadier Thomas Matthew.

Not the first time that the chief will be honoured musically, there have been tunes composed for Gen. Cariappa and Gen. Padmanabhan among others. And while the Naval, Army and Air Force Band are all set to enthral the audience with their ability to carry a note, it has been pointed out that they also have "healing'' powers. "All the men who are part of the Army band are also trained in first aid so that in times of war they can help the medical officer. The pipers who belong to the infantry divisions are also the medical orderlies in battle, this way we save man power,'' said an officer.

A sea of black, grey and green, as the last bugle sounds and the lights come up at Rashtrapati Bhavan, they will bid farewell for another year on January 29. There will also be a special show on January 28.

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