India - Fairs and Festivals - Beating the Retreat

Beating the Retreat ceremony:

If there’s anything that India is known for more than its spicy curries, it is the country’s love for traditions and pageantry. There’s no other tradition that evokes as much national pride as the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, which end in the glorious Beating the Retreat ceremony. This grand ceremony is attended by thousands of people who gather at the magnificent Raisina Hill and the adjacent Vijay Chowk, laden with woolens, braving the chilly January cold and fog, which refuses to dampen their nationalistic spirit.

Photo Credit: Arun Sharma

Historical Significance

Historically, the Beating the Retreat symbolised the end of war for the day and bugles trumpeted, asking soldiers to return to their camps. In India, this ceremony in many ways remains yet another British heritage, which has been localised over the years. The event is organised on January 29th each year, and is a symbol of the end to the Republic Day celebrations. A solemn and sovereign affair, the ceremony is performed by the three bands of the Indian Defense Forces – the Army, the Navy and the Air Force – and the chief guest for the ceremony is the President of India.

The Ceremony

On this evening, India’s armed forces come out in all their strength and glory, with bejeweled camels and horses lending an almost colourful and romantic appeal to an otherwise solemn affair. The ceremony usually begins with the arrival of the Indian Defense Forces’ chiefs who await the arrival of the President. Once the dignitaries gather, the national anthem is played along with the unfurling of the national flag. What follows is a magnificent spectacle. Column after column of smartly dressed men in the brightest hues of green, red and blue march to the tunes of their respective bands. This is followed by the spell-binding Drummer’s Call, which is a spectacle by itself. The drummers play their instruments in amazing synchrony from soft to loud, managing to throw their drum sticks in the air and deftly catch them before striking the next beat, in a show of extreme skill and ostentation.

Change For Good

For the first time in 2011, the mellifluous tones of the shehnai were added to the music, giving it a poignant Indian touch. Through the years, English hymns and band songs have been phased out to be replaced by Indian songs including those written by Mahatama Gandhi. However, the lowering of the national flag is still done to the tune of Abide with Me. Against the backdrop of the breathtaking Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential residence in Lutyen'sDelhi, the magnificence of this ceremony has to be seen to be believed.

Eagerly awaited by the locals, especially children, the ceremony can be attended by anyone on the purchase of a nominally priced ticket. It gives people a wonderful opportunity to revisit one of independent India’s greatest traditions and ends up as a wonderful family evening for all. Those visiting the historic city ofNew Delhi during this time should definitely make it a point to witness this grand spectacle.