Beating Retreat in Delhi on Jan. 29; Fusion Music to Debut

Beating Retreat ceremony, which marks the culmination of the 63rd Republic Day celebrations, will be held at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Jan. 29, 2012. Fusion music will be the part of the ceremony for the first time.

The fusion music, based on the national song "Vande Mataram," will be a mix of harmony, Indian and Western classical music. While the mass bands will play Western classical, Indian classical music will be performed along with the tubular bells from the North Block precinct.

A total of 39 bands from the army, navy and air force will perform at the ceremony, of which 14 are military bands and 17 pipes and drums. Navy and the air force will contribute eight bands in all to the event which will be attended by President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other dignitaries.

Beating Retreat will culminate with "Sare Jahan Se Accha" penned by great Urdu poet Allama Iqbal.