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Beating the change!
REPUBLIC DAY celebrations ? The Parade and Beating the Retreat ? are meant for public consumption. Right? Wrong! After the High Court imposed a ban on functions at the Begum Hazrat Mahal Park, the Beating the Retreat function, marking the formal end of Republic Day celebrations, was moved to the Lakshman Mela grounds, on the banks of the Gomti. And now to Ambedkar Rally Sthal.
REPUBLIC DAY celebrations — The Parade and Beating the Retreat — are meant for public consumption. Right? Wrong!
After the High Court imposed a ban on functions at the Begum Hazrat Mahal Park, the Beating the Retreat function, marking the formal end of Republic Day celebrations, was moved to the Lakshman Mela grounds, on the banks of the Gomti. And now to Ambedkar Rally Sthal.
The first time, it was the judiciary acting in public interest. The second time round, it was an insensitive political party.
Nevertheless, the tradition was carried out with ritualistic precision with Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav arriving first and then Governor TV Rajeswar.
And in there came pipes and stoles swaying, trumpets and trombones glinting in the setting sun, marching smartly to Pt Ravi Shankar—composed ‘Swagatam
Like always, it was the 11 Bihar Regimental Centre pipe band (led by Nayak Subedar Robert Toppo), 11 Gorkha Rifles Regimental Centre’s Brass Band (led by Subedar Parashuram Rai), UP Police pipe band (led by head constable Hafeez Khan) and the brass band of the 35th PAC Battalion (led by Capt Hari Singh Gurung) in attendance and in ceremonial ensemble.
When the PAC Brass Band had just made an entry, there was a sudden flurry of activity. All babus (in black) and officers (in khaki) sprang to their feet. It was no terrorist strike but only the CM leaving after a token attendance.
The PAC band led by the veteran Hari Singh Gurung, nominated for the President’s Medal and giving his last ‘Beating the Retreat’ performance playing ‘Dil diya hai, jaan bhi denge’ from ‘Karma’.
After that all was rather monotonous and lacking spark. So predictable was the routine that the poor Babus started falling asleep. It was only when the 11 GRRC started playing ‘Beat No 1’ that its beat set the pulse racing.
Much in the same genre was ‘Singer’, being performed by the combined bands as they assembled for the ‘Drums’ Call’, an integral part of the Beating the Retreat ceremony. It was rather sad to see a rather depleted drums section, with only five drummers performing (minus the bass drummer).
As they returned into their ranks, it was time for ‘Abide with me’ and the moment when the electric bells chime the tune, with the trombones providing the background. Thankfully, the item and the bells went off to near perfection with Mehmood Ahmed at the bells doing a good job.
The song ended and the police buglers sounded the retreat, the echo just as beautiful as the original. As they did the flag was lowered and the leader of the band marched up to the Governor.
He took his permission to take the troops back, marched up to the waiting men in uniform, signalled and they marched back together into the now-fading light, swaying to the popular tune of ‘Sare jahan se achcha’.
Even as they did, huge tables bearing trophies and shields were carried out. It was time for the prize distribution function of the Republic Day winners.
They came in hordes and clambered atop the makeshift stage where the Governor stood, raising fears of it collapsing.
