Army band spellbinds audience at Srinagar

The internationally-acclaimed Symphonic Band of the army thrilled the audience of Jammu garrison with their captivating music on Wednesday.

The band had mesmerised more than 5,000 soldiers and their families at Zorawar Stadium in Sunjuwan cantonment on Tuesday, defence spokesman said in a statement.

Army's Symphonic Band was raised in 1990 at New Delhi with bandsmen taken from all military bands of the army to retain the true representation of the entire nation in one band, the statement said.

"Subsequently, in order to add variety to the music, Indian classical musical instruments like Santoor, Sitar, Jaltarang and Tabla were also incorporated with the military band," it said.

"The Symphonic Band has the unique privilege of performing during visits of various foreign dignitaries to India at the Rashtrapati Bhawan and during national level functions such as the Republic Day, Independence Day and Beating the Retreat ceremonies."

"The band has also participated in various military tattoos and music festivals in Russia, France, Italy, Sweden, Japan, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Germany, Bhutan and Nepal."

"The Indian Army has 48 military bands and more than 400 pipes and drums ensembles and thus forms the largest military music assembly in any army of the world. The bands belong to the various regiments of the army and though all of them are Indian in character, they reflect the unique characteristics of the regions the troops come from, synonymous to the various hues and shades of our cultural diversity," the statement added.

Speaking on the occasion, Major General Surinder Singh, general officer commanding Tiger Division thanked the team for their soul-stirring and foot-tapping musical performance.

He said that military bands have forever played a vital role of raising the troop morale and motivating them to fight with valour to overcome the enemy. General Singh also presented souvenirs to the team as a token of remembrance. 

Image: The band performs at the Zorawar Stadium in Sunjuwan cantonment, Srinagar

Picture courtesy: The armed forces