Indian Navy Symphonic Band -Courtesy Wikipedia
I joined the Naval Academy at Kochi in May 1980
and soon got into the rigours of cadet life. However, what I looked forward to was
the ‘Navy Band’ in station which played weekly, when the Commanding Officer ( CO ) would
inspect us on parade . We would be in ceremonial uniform and he would examine each cadet minutely and point even a minor faults . We dreaded our turn ,
once he checked me for a loose badge on my peak cap and I was awarded three
extra drills! The long period of the parade was both boring and tiring , a few
would fall on account of exhaustion under the sun and tight uniform we wore
which restricted circulation. We were advised to keep moving our toes inside the shoes! The only solace was the
brass band music which changed tunes from time to time and reminded me of
background score in old Hollywood war
cinema. During inspection the music was slow
and sweeter and when we marched it was
quicker and martial . My favourite was ‘Col Bogey’ from the movie
‘ Bridge on the river Kwai’, later whenever the band was
practising I would request them to play that. The most sublime was ‘Auld Lang Syne’
played during passing out parades and the
eternal ‘Sare Jahan Se Acchha
Hindustan Hamara ‘ was played by all Bands when they would finally
march off the ground after the end of the ceremony.
My fascination of the Brass Band is from childhood . I
loved them play in marriages and their colourful red with gold uniform
attracted me . Those days in late sixties the ‘Twist’ was very popular dance and we would request them to play the song
from ‘Bhoot Bangla’ ‘Aao Twist Karen…zindagi hai yahi!’ compose by R D Burman. ‘Taquila’ was another popular
number . The ‘Band Master’ would be
dressed in black suit holding a Clarinet
and would shout ‘ Taquila ‘ in between .
After my
commissioning when I was posted on board ships, the ‘Naval Band ‘ would embark
us during foreign cruise . A very well
disciplined lot they would be satisfied in difficult conditions and adjusted in
limited living space even with their
large and heavy instruments. They would regularly practice and regale us. In foreign Ports they were the centre of attraction during on board parties or performing in Town hall or public places . True Ambassadors. The
Hindi film songs were popular every where and they would often play those
numbers – ‘Awaara hun..etc’.
In early
nineties I was posted to INS Hamla ,the Training Base
at Malad Mumbai as an Instructor . Among other duties I was made Divisional
Officer of ‘Tansen Division’ consisting of The ‘Hamla Band’. I was happy and amused at this unexpected responsibility
. However, I had a very competent Mater Chief Musician Das under me who
proficiently conducted the training and routine . My regular interaction with
the Band enhanced my knowledge of western instruments and their sounds- Cornet,
Clarinet , Trumpet , Trombone , French Horn etc. It was an interesting group
, and since their interaction with the
other sailors was less they had their distinct identity and character! They
were inducted on account of their music and
kept to that and therefore lacked the worldly ways and had to be guided on
occasions . There existed custom of gifting the Band a few bottles of Rum
by of the Chief Guest after an event.
This resulted in some Band sailors getting addicted and therefore the practise
changed and some utility item was
presented . But it seems that this tradition exists and when we visited Wellington , New Zealand on board the newly
commissioned INS Mumbai the Indian High Commissioner who hailed from Manipur was so pleased with
our Band that he sent many cases of wine for them , which they dutifully
brought home!
At Hamla with the inspiration from the Band I also
fulfilled my wish to be the Parade
Commander one day in a ceremonial parade during Commander – in – Chief’s visit.
Military ceremonies appealed to me and I fancied holding the Sword in hand with boots , garters and ceremonial rig after I observed my Gunnery Instructor, Master chief Yadav giving perfect command always in his boots with webbing , whistle in hand ,
his attire was so integrated with his
personality that it seemed that he slept
with his boots and belt on !
The Naval Band
has been a point of interest of all
Chiefs of Naval Staff and tremendous
refinement and advancement has taken
place . Highly qualified and talented Young musician were commissioned as
officers one such was Captain Anchees who introduced new music and instruments
and added to the existing repertoire. Sailors were recruited from North East
who were born musicians . The range of the ‘Naval Central Band ‘ stationed in
Mumbai widened by imbibing Indian percussion instruments , Carnatic music so as
to provide music for all occasions. The
Inter Service , Band competition is held
annually in New Delhi coinciding with the Beating Retreat ceremony and the
Naval Band was winner for many years . After ten consecutive wins the Trophy
was handed over to Navy permanently!
During the Navy
week in early December the ‘ Naval Symphonic Orchestra‘ plays at ‘Jamshed
Bhabha Auditorium’ at National Centre of Performing Arts and the ‘ Central
Naval Band’ performs at the ‘Gateway of India’ .The Governor would be the chief
guest at ‘Beating Retreat’ function which
is an age old tradition when in
Battle fronts at sunset the troops would retreat to their camps , the sound of
the Bugle with ‘Last Post ‘ followed by revelry would signal the day’s end. I
would wait expectantly for the grand entry of the Band
in front of gateway of India , the fanfare would be played on the arrival of
Governor followed by National Anthem . Then the proceedings would begin and the
band would move in various formations playing some traditional and some modern
tunes . Finally five minutes before the
sunset the final ceremony would begin with ‘Abide with me’ and in between the sound of bells would be
heard from Taj, gradually the Flag would be hauled down . Then the ‘Revelry’
would be played by the sailor atop Gateway . The music would be solemn and the bells would be sounded by one
sailor stationed in Taj Top floor which elevates the poignancy! Guests seated and the entire crowd around
Taj and Gateway would stand still during the ceremony , captivated by the moment!
The Military Band has a distinguished history and
tradition among Indian Armed forces. Major Ram Singh was the Band In charge of
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army during the second world war
. He composed many inspirational Marching
songs and the most famous was ‘ Kadam
Kadam Badhaye ja , Khushi ke Geet Gaye ja , Ye Zindagi hai Kaum Ki Tu Kaum Par Lutayeja’ . This song is the ‘Indian Army Song’ now and
is played on all special occasions . The Navy Song is ‘ Jai Jai Jai Jai
Bharti Seva karenge Hum Desh Ki ..’ composed by the Navy musicians .
The roots of music and Armed forces could be traced to
the battle of ‘Mahabharat’ in Kurukshetra . Each warrior had his own Conch
shell which served as bugle or signature call . The war would commence and end
with the blowing of the conch shell for the day . The name of the conch shell
of Shri Krishna was ‘Panchajanya’.
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