Beating Retreat 2023: Classical Ragas, Mega Drone Show To Enthrall Viewers Today — Know Traffic Restrictions

The Beating Retreat ceremony will be held today and will witness tunes based on Indian classical music as well as a magnificent drone show comprising 3,500 indigenous drones.

Light show and Tri-services bands' performance at the full dress rehearsal for the Beating Retreat ceremony, at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: The Beating Retreat ceremony that marks the formal end of Republic Day celebrations will be held on Sunday which will witness tunes based on Indian classical music, including a magnificent drone show. The Delhi Police has also issued a traffic advisory on various routes ahead of the ceremony to be held at Vijay Chowk.

India celebrated its 74^th Republic Day on Friday. The Beating Retreat ceremony will be graced by President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will also attend the ceremony.

Biggest Drone Show

The country's ‘biggest drone show’ comprising 3,500 indigenous drones will be witnessed over Raisina Hill today. "The magnificent drone show will light up the evening sky over the Raisina Hill, weaving myriad forms of national figures, and events through smooth synchronisation,” the defence ministry mentioned in a statement.

"It will depict the success of start-up ecosystem, technological prowess of the country's youth and pave the way for future path-breaking trends," it stated.

The facade of North Block and South Block will witness a 3-D anamorphic projection for the first time during the grand event, the Defence informed.

"Tunes based on Indian classical ragas will be the flavour of Beating the Retreat ceremony this year," the ministry added. The event will showcase as many as 29 captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes being played by the music bands of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the State Police and the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF).

Check traffic restrictions & alternate routes

Ahead of the Ceremony, the Delhi Police has made elaborate traffic arrangements for the Beating Retreat ceremony to be held at Vijay Chowk here, officials said on Saturday, reported news agency PTI.

Traffic restrictions will be put in place from 2 pm to 9.30 pm Sunday, the advisory noted, adding Vijay Chowk will remain closed for traffic.

There will be restrictions in the movement of the traffic on Rafi Marg between Sunehri Masjid roundabout and Krishi Bhawan roundabout, beyond Dara Shikoh roundabout, Krishna Menon Marg roundabout and Sunehri Masjid towards Vijay Chowk. Traffic will be restricted on Kartavyapath between Vijay Chowk and “C” hexagon, the advisory said.

Tunes Based On Indian Classical Ragas

At the onset of the ceremony, the massed band's "Agniveer" tune will be played followed by enthralling tunes like "Almora", "Kedar Nath", "Sangam Dur", "Queen of Satpura", "Bhagirathi", "Konkan Sundari" by pipes and drums band, the defence ministry statement said.

On the other hand, Indian Air Force's band will play "Aprajey Arjun", "Charkha", "Vayu Shakti", "Swadeshi", while fascinating "Ekla Cholo Re", "Hum Taiyyar Hai", and "Jai Bharati" will be played by the band of Indian Navy.

The Indian Army's band will play "Shankhnaad", "Sher-e-Jawan", "Bhupal", "Agranee Bharat", "Young India", "Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja", "Drummers Call", and "Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon", it informed.

The event will come to a close with the ever-popular tune "Sare Jahan se Accha".

The principal conductor of the ceremony will be Flt Lt Leimapokpam Rupachandra Singh. While the Army Band will be led by Sub Maj Diggar Singh, the Naval and Air Force band commanders will be M Anthoni Raj and Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar respectively. The State Police and CAPF bands will be conducted by Assistant Sub-Inspector Prem Singh, it said.

The Buglers will perform under the leadership of Naib Subedar Santosh Kumar Pandey, and pipes and drums band will play under the instructions of Subedar Major Baswaraj Vagge.

The commuters are advised to take alternate routes like Ring Road, Ridge Road, Aurobindo Marg, Madarsa ''T'' Point, Lodhi Road, Sunramanian Bharti Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Rani Jhansi Road, Minto Road etc, the advisory noted.

It is to be noted that the buses will be diverted from their normal routes from 2 pm to 9.30 pm on Sunday to facilitate the vehicles of invitees and spectators and to avoid traffic congestion on roads around the venues of the ceremony and India Gate.

Commuters have been advised to make maximum use of metro services for travelling in the vicinity of New Delhi. Parking will be available for those coming to see illumination at Vijay Chowk behind water channels between Rafi Marg and “C” Hexagon (after 8 pm), the advisory mentioned.

The motorists are advised to follow traffic rules, directions of traffic personnel and stay updated through the traffic police's Facebook page, Twitter handle and traffic police helpline, it added.