Indian military bands

Indian military bands regularly participate in international festivals and take part in celebrations dedicated to various national events.

[1] At the Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival and Tattoo in Moscow, the band consisted of 7 officers and 55 musicians.

[11] British Indian regiments with pipe bands included the Bombay Volunteer Rifles and the Calcutta Scottish.

[12] The Military Music Wing came into fruition on 23 October 1950 under the patronage and supervision of K. M. Cariappa, the then C-in-C of the Army.

It also has represented India at various military music festivals in France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and Bangladesh.

The AWSO has performed at many concerts across the world in countries like France, Italy, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangladesh.

All navy musicians must have a bachelor's degree from recognized university and can play at least one military sponsored instrument.

[20] Since 1944, eight regional bands have operated in the country:[34][35] The current director of music for the Indian Air Force is Flight Lieutenant LS Rupachandra.

[38][39][40] In December 1996, 20 members of the band died in a plane crash involving a Hawker Siddeley HS 748 in Dundigal.

[44] In 2011, the 43 Assam Rifles began its own jazz band in a remote village in Senapati as a means to bring music to the people of that area.

With the sanction of the Commandant of the Assam Rifles, bands can engage in events hosted by private entities.

[55] The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Brass Band was raised in 1973 and has been participating in Republic Day Parade annually since 1977.

[56] Indian military bands play an active role in the annual Delhi Republic Day parade on the Rajpath.

[57] The Beating Retreat is a massive gathering of Indian military bands held on Republic Day in the capital of New Delhi.

The ceremony achieved a Guinness World Record mention for being the largest military band under one conductor, with its rendition of Amazing Grace including 4,459 musicians.

[61][62][63] Military bands perform on Independence Day during the ceremony at the historical site of Red Fort in Delhi.

Other notable protocol tunes played at the ceremony include "Robinson" and "Sare Jahan Se Accha" (Better than any nation).

[68][69][70][71] In December 2019, for the first time, an Indian Army Band took part in the Victory day of Bangladesh parade.