Stirring military musical treat at CWG closing ceremony (Second Lead)
By IANSThursday, October 14, 2010
NEW DELHI - Bands from the Indian armed forces captivated the audience with their repertoire of rousing marches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Thursday as the curtain was brought down on the 19th Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
The musical treat by the colourful bands from the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force - similar to their feted performance during the annual Beating Retreat ceremony - was among the showpieces of the closing ceremony.
The 650 musicians, comprising 14 brass bands and 17 pipes and drums, marched in formation in the brightly lit stadium, keeping up a brisk momentum.
Marching in perfect unison, they wove intricate patterns on the field, ranging from stars to triangles to circles playing well-loved marches like “Vijay Bharat”, “India Gate”, “Deshon ka Sartaj Bharat”, “Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja” and “Jai Jai Bharti”.
As the crowds cheered loudly, the drummers played a solo piece, and did the “crescendo” - a highlight of the Beating Retreat ceremony.
They rounded off their performance with the eternal favourite “Sare Jahan Se Achcha Hindustan Hamara” of famed Urdu poet Iqbal.
