Tri-Services Band

The Indian Army Chief's Band

The Tri-Services Band consists of musicians from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. The band regularly participates in international festivals and takes part in celebrations dedicated to various national events. The band is a permanent participant in the Delhi Republic Day parade on the Rajpath. The Director of Music of the band is Girish Kumar Unnikrishnan.^[1] The band comprises 7 officers and 55 musicians.^[2]

Band Structure

Indian Army Chief's Band

External video

The Band Spasskaya Tower in 2009

It was found in 1989 as the official band of the Indian Army and the foremost in the armed forces. The band represents India in most important state events held in the Indian capital. It also has represented India at various military music festivals in France, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Great Britain, Russia and Bangladesh.^[3][4][5]

Indian Naval Symphonic Band

The Indian Naval Symphonic Band has been considered as one of the best military bands in Asia. It was founded in 1945. The Naval Musicians, known as unofficial ambassadors of the country. As a Musician Officer you will be responsible for conducting the acclaimed Naval Band at ceremonies and symphonic band concerts in India/abroad.^[6][7] The band took part in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival and Tattoo in 2017.^{[8][9][10][11]}

Indian Air Force Band

The band at the Beating Retreat in 2004.

External video

Indian Air Force band performs at Beating Retreat ceremony in Delhi

The first Indian Air Force band was formed at Jalahalli in 1944 as the RIAF Central Band. It gave its first performance in Ambala on February 13, 1946.^[12][13]

Since then, six regional bands were also formed:

• No.1 Air Force Band (Formed June 10, 1944, stationed in Jalahalli)
• No.2 Air Force Band (Formed July 22, 1949, stationed in New Delhi)
• No.3 Air Force Band (Formed April 28, 1961, stationed in Dundigal)
• No.4 Air Force Band (Formed April 28, 1961, stationed in Bamrauli)
• No.5 Air Force Band (Formed April 28, 1961, stationed in Nagpur)
• No.6 Air Force Band (Formed January 13, 1969, stationed in Palam)
• No.7 Air Force Band (Formed January 13, 1969, stationed in Guwahati)

Musicians are required to read and write in English and have a height of 167 cm. Musicians also have to be aged between 17–22 years old.^[14][15][16]

Marches

The band performs a number of slow and quick marches such as:^[17]

• Sare Jahan se Accha
• Vande Mataram
• Samman Guard
• Deshon Ka Sartaj Bharat
• Amar Senani (The Immortal Soldier): Quick march
• Dhwaj Ka Rakshak (Defenders of the Flag): Slow march.
• Gulmarg: Quick march.
• Benihaal: Quick march of the Indian Army
• Uthari Seemaye (The Northern Frontiers): Quick march of the Indian Army.
• Suvruth (The Holy Oath): Quick march of the Indian Army.
• Vijayi Bharath (India, the Victorious): Quick march of the Indian Armed Forces.
• Hind Maha Sagar (The mighty Indian Ocean): Quick march of the Indian Navy.
• Naval Ensign: Quick march of the Indian Navy.
• Sea Lord: Slow March of the Indian Navy.
• Vayu Sena Nishaan (The Air Force Emblem): Slow march of the Indian Air Force
• Nabh Rakshak (Defenders of the Air): Quick march of the Indian Air Force.
• Antariksh Baan (Arrow in the Air): Quick march of the Indian Air Force.
• Dhwani Avrodh (Sound Barrier): Quick march of the Indian Air Force.
• Nirmaljit: Quick march of the Indian Air Force.
• Siki Amole (Precious Coins): Indian prayer hymn
• Voice of the Gun: Quick march.
• Have the NCC Spirit in You: Quick march of the National Cadet Corps.

See also

• Indian Armed Forces
• Military band
• Samman Guard
• Tri-Services Guard of Honour
• Corps of drums
• Fanfare band
• Canadian military bands
• United States military bands
• Russian military bands

Videos

Tri Services Band Concert

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Military bands of India.

Sources