Beating Retreat: 26 performances bring 70th Republic Day celebrations to a close

Foot-tapping music and classical renditions reverberated at Vijay Chowk on Wednesday as the Republic Day celebrations concluded with the Beating Retreat ceremony in New Delhi. (In pic) The north and south blocks of central secretariat illuminated on the occassion. (Express Photo: Prem Nath Pandey)

From "Abhiyan" to "Nritya Sarita" and "Ganga Jamuna", Indian tunes were the flavour of the Beating Retreat ceremony. (In pic) Prime Minister Narendra Modi at ceremony on Wednesday. (Express Photo: Prem Nath Pandey)

The Army, Navy, Air Force, state police and Central Armed Police Force bands performed over two dozen tunes. (In pic) PM Modi with Army Chief Gen MM Naravane at the ceremony on Wednesday. (Express Photo: Prem Nath Pandey)

President ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Air Force Chief Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria and Navy Chief Admiral Karamvir Singh were present on the occasion. (Express Photo: Prem Nath Pandey)

A total of 15 military bands, 16 pipes and drums bands from regimental centres and battalions participated in the ceremony this year. (Express Photo: Prem Nath Pandey)

As the bugle was sounded for the retreat, the Raisina Hill complex lit up in a riot of colours, the illumination provided by LEDs rather than the traditional incandescent bulbs. (Express Photo: Prem Nath Pandey)