Illustrated Weekly Magazine of the 
Armed Forces of India

February 1, 1953

A HIGHLIGHT of Service activities in the capital recently was the ceremonial "Beating of the Retreat’ by the Navy’s Central Band on January 18, in front of the historic Red Fort and in the presence of a distinguished gathering including the three Services Chiefs. But those that experienced most the thrill of this solemn Naval ceremony were the holiday crowds who had turned up at the Red Fort in thousands.

Citizens of Delhi, the seat of the Central Government and the three Services Headquarters, rarely have any opportunity to see anything of the real Navy being hundreds of miles away from the sea. As such, these ‘land-lubbers’ and others like them living in the heart of this sub-continent, no doubt greatly welcome such occasions when they can acquaint themselves with some or the other facet of Naval life and customs.

The "Sunset" ceremony, popularly known as "Beating of the Retreat", is an ancient military custom. In olden days, it was always considered advisable to have all the troops back in their barracks before sunset. Presumably, the primitive style of lighting of those days and surprise attacks at night had much to do with the institution of this custom. So, the drummers paraded round the streets and by beat of drum warned the troops that it was time to return to barracks.

The counterpart of this in the Navy was for the ships in an anchorage to be got ready for sudden call to arms during the silent hours.

The ‘call’ is known as "Retreat" in the Army and as "Sunset" in the Navy. During the sounding of this call the colours are hauled down with appropriate marks of respect.

The Central Band of the Navy of which the Service is proud, played the main role in this ceremony. It also afforded an opportunity to the spectator to see some of the members of the Navy’s Musician Branch.

Above all, the proficiency of the Naval Band during the "Sunset" ceremony was most impressive. Their marching and counter-marching with split second precision and their mastery over their instruments was highly praised. The Navy can really be proud of its Musician Branch which is reported to be fast expanding with formation of more and more such band units.

The Naval Band, the necessity for the formation of which was first realised in 1943 actually came into being in June 1945, with Lieut. (now Lieut-Commander) S.E.. Hills as its Director. Since then it has won many a laurel both in India and abroad as one of the finest musical combinations of the country.

Its success was climaxed last year when it gave a command performance of the ceremonial. "Beating of Retreat" at Rashtrapati Bhavan to conclude the President’s "Republic Day At Home."

The I.N. Musician Branch is slowly but steadily expanding. In addition to the Central Band, two others have also been formed and are now functioning on board INS Delhi and INS Venduruthi at Cochin. Three more bands will shortly be formed for INS’s Circars, Valsura and Shivaji, situated at Vishakhapatnam, Jamnagar and Lonavla respectively.

Yet another impressive touch to the ceremony which was, in fact, performed in connection with Navy Day celebration in Delhi, was given by the smartly dressed and efficient personnel of the Naval Provest Marshal, who also like the Band, had come up to the capital from Bombay in connection with Republic Day celebrations.