Live now

Beating Retreat 2023 Live Updates: Tunes based on ragas highlight of grand event at Vijay Chowk

Beating Retreat Ceremony, News Live Updates: President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were present on the occasion; elaborate traffic arrangements in place for the grand event

By: Express Web Desk
New Delhi | Updated: January 29, 2023 10:29 PM IST
Beating Retreat 2023 | Beating Retreat CeremonyRetreat Ceremony 2023 Live Updates: Drone show during full dress rehearsal for the Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, January 28, 2023. (express photo by Prem Nath Pandey)

Beating Retreat Ceremony 2023 Live Updates: Marking the formal end of this year’s Republic Day celebrations, the Beating Retreat ceremony was held at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Sunday. The ceremony was graced by President Droupadi Murmu, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and was also be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Tunes based on Indian classical music were the flavour of the Beating Retreat ceremony. For the first time, a 3-D anamorphic projection was planned on the facade of North Block and South Block during the grand event at Vijay Chowk on Sunday, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Story continues below this ad

The Delhi Police, meanwhile, made elaborate traffic arrangements for the Beating Retreat ceremony. Traffic restrictions will be put in place from 2 pm to 9.30 pm Sunday, according to an advisory, adding Vijay Chowk remained closed for traffic. Ahead of the event, a light and drone show was organised at Vijay Chowk on Saturday. Earlier in the day, a full dress rehearsal for the ceremony was also held at Vijay Chowk.

Live Blog

Beating Retreat 2023 Live Updates: Delhi sky dazzles with light and drone show ahead of Beating Retreat ceremony. Follow this space for the latest updates

22:29 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Formations at Beating Retreat Parade today

Some beautiful formations were witnessed today at the Beating Retreat parade. 

YouTube/ Doordarshan National

21:25 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Drone show cancelled due to rains in Delhi

Rains failed to dampen the spirit of Beating Retreat ceremony held at the historic Vijay Chowk here on Sunday as Indian classical tunes played by bands of the armed forces filled the air, marking the end of Republic Day celebrations.


The drone show involving 3,500 indigenous drones was, however, cancelled due to bad weather, officials said.
'The drone show could not take place due to bad weather. Lot of preparations had gone into it,' a senior official said.


The principal conductor of the ceremony was Flight Lieutenant Leimapokpam Rupachandra Singh. While the Army band was led by Sub Maj Diggar Singh, the Naval and Air Force band commanders were M Anthoni Raj and Warrant Officer Ashok Kumar, respectively. (PTI)

20:08 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Indian tunes shine as a highlight of the Beating Retreat Ceremony

Indian tunes based on Indian classical ragas and drone show were among the highlights of the Beating Retreat ceremony which was graced by President Droupadi Murmu at Vijay Chowk in the national capital on Sunday.


Twenty-nine captivating, foot-tapping Indian tunes were played by the music bands of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the State Police and the Central Armed Police Force amid lashing rain the national capital. The Naval band performed 'Ekla Cholo Re' on the occasion.


Indian Air Force's band played 'Aprajey Arjun', 'Charkha', 'Vayu Shakti', 'Swadeshi', while 'Ekla Cholo Re', 'Hum Taiyyar Hai', and 'Jai Bharati' was played by the band of Indian Navy.


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


The event came to a close with the ever-popular tune of 'Sare Jahan se Acha'.

18:21 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Beating Retreat Ceremony concludes with 'Saare Jahan se accha'

The flag hoisted was lowered as the Republic Day celebrations have concluded in the capital city as ;Saare Jahan se accha' and 'Jana gana Mana' was played. 

YouTube/ Doordarshan National

18:11 (IST)29 Jan 2023
'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja' presented by Massed band

The Massed band started its performance with the familiar tune of 'Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja' as it proceeded to perform an enthralling drummers call. 

YouTube/DoordarshanNational

18:05 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Army military band at Beating Retreat Ceremony

Army military band performed at Beating Retreat today. 

YouTube/DoordarshanNational

17:59 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Naval band at Beating Retreat Ceremony

The Naval band performed at Beating Retreat Ceremony. abiding by the theme of Indian ragas and self reliance, the band displayed a formation of 'Varunastra' and 'Charkha' while performing a wide array of tunes and included 'Ekla Chalo re'. 

YouTube/DoordarshanNational

17:43 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Air Force Band at Beating Retreat Ceremony

Air Force band march at the Beating Retreat Ceremony. The band formed a formation representing 'Charkha'(spinning wheel) and a rendition of 'Ishwar Jan ko' followed this formation. 

17:35 (IST)29 Jan 2023
CAPF band at Beating Retreat ceremony

CAPF present Pyari Bhumi at Beating Retreat Ceremony

YouTube/DoordarshanNational

17:32 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Pipes and Drum band at Beating Retreat Ceremony

The Pipes and Drum band present Almora composed by NK Jaman Singh

YouTube/DoordarshanNational

17:21 (IST)29 Jan 2023
President Droupadi Murmu reaches Vijay Chowk

President Droupadi Murmu reaches Vijay Chowk and the Beating Reterat ceremony begin. The rains intensify over Delhi but fail to dampen spirits of the spectators gathered to witness this event. 

YouTube/Doordarshan National

17:17 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Vice President reaches Vijay Chowk for Beating Retreat ceremony

YouTube/ Doordarshan National

17:15 (IST)29 Jan 2023
PM Modi at Vijay Chowk

YouTube/ Doordarshan National

17:03 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Army, Navy and Air Force Chief at Beating Retreat ceremony

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of Army Staff Manoj Pande and Admiral R. Hari Kumar at Vijay Chowk. 

YouTube/ Doordarshan National

16:39 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Beating Retreat 2023: What is the ceremony’s history, and who presides over it?

The Beating Retreat Ceremony held in Vijay Chowk, Delhi, is a sombre end to the four-day-long Republic Day celebrations in India, including the Republic Day parade held nearby a few days prior.

In terms of scale, while the January 26 celebrations may be grander, the Beating Retreat, capping off the Republic Day celebrations, also has its share of synchronised marches, memorable musical pieces and more. Such a ceremony is also held by Armed Forces in the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and others. We take a look at its history and evolution over the years. Read more

15:30 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Beating Retreat today: Three things to watch out for in spectacular ceremony

The four-day celebration of India’s Republic Day will end with the spectacular Beating Retreat ceremony at the historic Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Sunday (January 29) evening. The event will be broadcast on DD National and live-streamed on Doordarshan’s YouTube channel from 4.50 pm.

Here are three things to watch out for in this year’s Beating Retreat ceremony, which will be attended by President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Read more

12:43 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Watch: Stunning visuals from rehearsals ahead of Beating Retreat ceremony
11:17 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Delhi Police issue traffic advisory, check which routes to avoid today

The Delhi Police Sunday said several routes, including Vijay Chowk and Kartabya Path, will be closed for commuters ahead of the Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk Sunday. The ceremony marks the formal conclusion of the Republic Day celebrations.

The police said traffic will be restricted on multiple streets from 2 pm to 9.30 pm. As per the traffic advisory, traffic would not be allowed 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. The area from Kartavya Path to Vijay Chowk and C-Hexagon will also be blocked for commuters. Read more

11:02 (IST)29 Jan 2023
National capital set to host Beating Retreat ceremony today

The annual Beating Retreat ceremony, marking the culmination of 4-day-long Republic Day celebrations will be held at the historic Vijay Chowk in New Delhi today. 

According to Prasar Bharati News Services, PM Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will witness the annual Beating Retreat ceremony. The event will also witness the country’s biggest drone show, comprising 3,500 indigenous drones.

For the first time, a 3D anamorphic projection will be organised during the Beating Retreat ceremony on the façade of the North and South Block. Indian tunes based on classical ragas will be played during the ceremony.

10:58 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Live streaming of ceremony to begin at 4.50 pm

Doordarshan National will start live streaming the Beating Retreat ceremony at 4.50 pm on Sunday. The grand event will be held at Vijay Chowk in the national capital. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be present on the occasion.

10:32 (IST)29 Jan 2023
From the Archives: The significance of the Beating Retreat ceremony

The Beating Retreat ceremony took place at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on Wednesday. The ceremony, which takes place on January 29 every year, marks the culmination of the four-day Republic Day celebrations.

The military tradition began in 17th century England, when King James II ordered his troops to beat drums, lower flags and organise a parade to announce the end of a day of combat. The ceremony was then called ‘watch setting’ and took place at sunset after firing a single round from the evening gun.

The ceremony is currently held by Armed Forces in the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and India, among others. Read full Explainer here

10:25 (IST)29 Jan 2023
Watch | Full dress rehearsal ahead of ‘Beating Retreat’ ceremony in Delhi

Tri-services bands perform during full dress rehearsal for the Beating Retreat ceremony, at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. (Express photo by Prem Nath Pandey)

Tunes based on ragas, mega drone show to be flavour of Beating Retreat ceremony

Tunes based on Indian classical music will be the flavour of the Beating Retreat ceremony which will also include the country's "biggest drone show" comprising 3,500 indigenous drones, officials said on Saturday. For the first time, a 3-D anamorphic projection will be done on the facade of North Block and South Block during the grand event at Vijay Chowk on Sunday, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

"As many as 29 captivating and foot-tapping Indian tunes will be played by the music bands of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and the State Police and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)," the statement said The ceremony will also be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Light show during full dress rehearsal for the Beating Retreat ceremony, at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. (Express photo by Prem Nath Pandey)

Beating Retreat ceremony to witness country's biggest drone show

It will also witness the country's biggest drone show, comprising 3,500 indigenous drones, the statement added.

"The magnificent drone show will light up the evening sky over the Raisina Hill, weaving myriad forms of national figures, events through smooth synchronisation. 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 said.

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

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

Visuals from the full dress rehearsal for the Beating Retreat ceremony, at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, January 28, 2023. (Express photo by Prem Nath Pandey)

Elaborate traffic arrangements in place for Beating Retreat ceremony: Delhi Police

Delhi Police has made elaborate traffic arrangements for the Beating Retreat ceremony to be held at Vijay Chowk here, officials said on Saturday. Traffic restrictions will be put in place from 2 pm to 9.30 pm Sunday, according to an advisory, adding Vijay Chowk will remain closed for traffic.

Traffic will not be allowed 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.

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, it stated.

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, the advisory said.

  • news-guard-logo
  • The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards.
  • news-guard-logo-with-title

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments