NEW DELHI, January 29: Seven hundred and fifty soldiers of the Armed forces held the audience spell-bound at Vijay Chowk with scintillating music as the Retreat was sounded, signifying the sheathing of arms that were displayed on Republic Day.Sounding of the `Retreat' is a centuries old military tradition dating from the days when troops disengaged from battle at sunset. As soon as the bugles sounded the Retreat, troops ceased fighting and withdrew from the battlefield.The military bands paid a tribute today to the nuclear tests in May at Pokharan by dedicating a tune to the blasts. Shakti, a new composition by Nazir Hussain in recognition of the May tests, was part of the quick march segment by the military bands conducted by Subedar Major Nabin Lama of the Parachute Regiment. Among the spectators was US Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott.Chilly winds did not deter the audience as they listened to the music. An old favourite, Kadam kadam badhaye ja, was a part of the Retreat this year. After the buglers welcomed the ceremonial arrival of President K R Narayanan, the pipes and drums took over, with compositions like Chandni, Deshon Ka Sartaj Bharat, Stumple, The Ball that was in Oban and Kedar Nath.Thirty bands comprising 750 musicians from the Army, Navy and Air Force took part in the ceremony. The Navy and Air Force bands held the audience spellbound with Admiral Kunjali, National Emblem, The Gladiator, Twilight, Commander S.A. Anchees' Nocturnal Cry before marching off to the tune of Bharat Dharam.The massed band then came in quick march to the music of Amar Senani and gave the Drum call which set foots tapping. William Henry Monk's soulful Abide With Me set to the chimes of bells was a fitting finale to the ceremony.Soon after the buglers sounded the retreat, the bands left the arena, marching to the tune of Sare Jahan se Achha.
