NEW DELHI: The curtains came down on the Republic Day celebrations on Monday evening with the Beating Retreat ceremony here.

While the peach-tinged sunset was missing when the bands came marching in, the music more than made up for the dull weather.

An elaborate ceremony that keeps alive the centuries-old tradition of troops withdrawing from the battlefield at the end of the day,

Art of standing still

`Beating Retreat' is all about the art of standing still. From straight-backed guards looking like toy soldiers to camels all dressed up frozen still, the ceremony literally steps back in time.

Kicking off with `Fanfare' by the buglers, the first march of the massed bands was to the familiar `Hindustan Hamara Hai.' With the audience only just settling into their seats, it was a chance for many who knew the tune to hum along.

Dressed in earth colours, the pipes and drums introduced a whiff of the highlands. Swaying to the rhythm with the silver edged batons twirling in the air, they marched to `Veer Bharat,' `Aaj Diya Rati' and `Mili Juli.'

While adults seemed to soak in the whole ambience, it was the tiny tots who craned their necks to see the ceremony from as close as possible. If the parents could be heard grumbling about the parking and the elaborate frisking, restless children seemed to be interested in getting the best view of the action.

The advent of the Navy and Air Force bands with cooler hues brought `Vayu Shakti.' With a bagful of new tunes this time round, the emphasis was on desi music.

Apart from the fresh sounds, Beating Retreat also saw the bands of the three forces coming together for the `Drums Call.'

Bringing some elements of the sea with their music, the Navy and the Air Force bands played the soulful `Gateway Lullaby' before marching off to the `Sound Barrier.'

Ending on Iqbal's `Sare Jahan Se Achchha,' the ceremony concluded on a bright note with the illumination of the Central Vista.

The ceremony was viewed by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Defence Minister A.K. Antony. Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi was also present.

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