The ceremony revives an ancient war custom according to which troops used to stop fighting at sunset. Bugles announcing the sunset would sound in the battlefield. As soon as soldiers heard these bugles they would stand still in the battlefield and war would be stopped for the day.
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In modern
times Beating the Retreat has a largely ceremonial role. In the Indian
context the ceremony, held on the 29th of January every year, marks
the formal end of the Republic Day celebrations. The majestic Rastrapati Bhavan serves as the background for the awe-inspiring event held at Vijay Chowk in the heart of New Delhi. The ceremony opens with a parade by select contingents of the armed forces set to scintillating performances by the various armed forces bands. The parade climaxes with all the bands playing in unison. As the bands fall silent, a lone trumpeter picks up the moving tune 'Siki a mole'. After this performance the hymn 'Abide with me' is played by the Massed Bands.This hymn, said to be Mahatma Gandhi's favourite, is a permanent feature of the ceremony. |
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exactly 6 pm, the buglers sound the retreat and the National Flag
is lowered to the National Anthem bringing the Republic Day celebrations
to a formal end. One by one, the camels and the riders who stand stone-like
throughout against the backdrop of the sky, move away from the background.
Just after this comes the most visually appealing part of the show. With the click of a button, a thousand bulbs light up the Rastrapati Bhavan and adjoining buildings. Surely a fitting end to the annual celebrations of the Indian republic! |
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