Bot at 19:25, 4 December 2022

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{{Use Indian English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name=Indian Army Chief's Band
|image=File:Indian Army marching band-1.jpg
|caption=The band during the [[Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo]].
|country={{flag|India}}
|branch={{army|India}}
|dates={{Start date and years ago|df=yes|1990}}
|command_structure=Headquarters, Indian Army
|size=44 members
|garrison=[[New Delhi]]
|nickname=
|march=Quick: ''[[Qadam Qadam Badaye Ja]]''<br>Slow: ''[[Samman Guard]]''
|current_commander=[[Warrant officer|Warrant Officer 2]] Suresh Kumar Sharma
|notable_commanders=
}}

The '''Indian Army Chief's Band''' is the [[Indian Army]]'s full-time music band. It was founded in 1990 as the official band of the [[Indian Army]] and the foremost in the armed forces. It also, as its name implies, represents the [[Chief of the Army Staff (India)|Chief of the Army Staff]] at events involving the COAS's presence. The band represents India in most important state events held in the Indian capital. It was raised in 1990 with bandsmen being drawn multiple [[Indian military bands]] in order to "retain the true representation of the entire nation in one band". In April 2011, a string section was added, consisting of [[cello]]s, [[viola]]s and [[violins]], elevating it to a symphony orchestra comprising 72 musicians.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2013/state-editions/army-symphony-band-enchants-audience.html|title=Army Symphony Band enchants audience|first=The|last=Pioneer|website=The Pioneer}}</ref> Outside of the [[Indian Army]], it has also represented the [[India]]n nation at various military music festivals in [[France]], [[Italy]], [[Sweden]], [[Germany]], [[Great Britain]], [[Russia]] and [[Bangladesh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://president-concert.ru/orkestry/proekty/orkestr-verhovnogo-komandovaniya-vooruzhennyh-sil-indii.html|title=Оркестр Верховного командования Вооруженных сил Индии - Проекты|website=president-concert.ru|language=ru}}</ref>

==Structure==
The band consists of the following ensembles:

*Parade Band
*Symphony Orchestra
*Brass ensemble
*Percussion ensemble
*Woodwind ensemble
*Jazz ensemble
*Vocalist group

Initially, the band played with percussion, brass and woodwind sections.<ref name=":0" /> Today, the band uses traditional Indian instruments such as the [[Mridangam]], the [[Tabla]], and the [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]]{{explain|date=February 2020}}.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}} In addition other traditional instruments such as the [[Santoor]], [[Sitar]] and [[Jaltarang]] have been incorporated in the band.<ref>{{cite news |title=Archive of One Strike Corps of Indian Army in Mathura opens tomorrow |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/archive-of-one-strike-corps-of-indian-army-in-mathura-opens-tomorrow/articleshow/48532692.cms |accessdate=11 February 2020 |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=11 July 2018}}</ref>

==Events==
The band performs at ceremonial events with the Indian Army, including the [[Presentation of Colours]] and the annual [[Delhi Republic Day parade]] on the [[Rajpath]]. In the latter, the band is not a marching contingent but rather is located away from the road in an area near the national flag during which it performs ''[[Jana Gana Mana]]'' the presentation of honours by the [[President's Bodyguard]]. It also performs at [[state dinner]]s held at the [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]], hosted by the [[President of India]] for a foreign [[head of state]]. It also performs at community events in its vicinity.{{fact|date=December 2022}}

===Specific events===
*The band took part in the [[Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/great-indian-band/story-09zQmpQv5D0Pxz0ojD05DL.html|title=Great Indian band|date=2008-10-20|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-tattoo-scotland-idUSL2278594420080722|title=Edinburgh Tattoo: 100 years of citizen soldiers|work=Reuters|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref>
*In July 2009, Indian military bands, a bands from the three services, with the Army band being one, marched down the [[Champs-Élysées]] in [[Paris]] with contingents from their respective services during the [[Bastille Day military parade]] to the sound of Indian martial tunes including ''[[Saare Jahan Se Achcha]]'', ''Haste Lushai'' and ''[[Kadam Kadam Badaye Ja]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBnZjWQ77A8|title=Répétition de l'Armée Indienne à Satory pour le défilé du 14 juillet 2009|date=13 July 2009|publisher=YouTube}}</ref>
*In September 2009, the band visited [[Russia]] to take part in the [[Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival and Tattoo]]. During its performance on [[Moscow]]'s [[Red Square]], it went under the name of the Orchestra of the Supreme Commander of Chief of the Armed Forces of India ({{Lang-ru|Оркестр Верховного Главнокомандующего Вооруженными Силами Индии}}).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brahmand.com/news/Indian-Army-band-for-Moscow-music-festival/1899/1/12.html|title=Indian Army band for Moscow music festival | Brahmand News|website=www.brahmand.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-band-for-Moscow-music-festival/articleshow/4933864.cms|title=Army band for Moscow music festival - Times of India|website=The Times of India}}</ref>
*In June 2012, the band The performed at the Jammu Garrison for over 5000 soldiers and their families at Zorawar Stadium in Sunjuwan Cantonment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/armys-symphonic-band-thrills-jammu-audience/|title=Army's symphonic band thrills Jammu audience|first=Daily|last=Excelsior|date=20 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/armys-symphonic-band-mesmerises-jammu-audie/964987/|title=Army's symphonic band mesmerises Jammu audience - Indian Express|website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref>
*The Band was part of the Indian Army's Grand Symphony band that performed at [[Amity University, Noida]] campus during the 70th [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] celebrations in August 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=Army's Grand Symphony Band performs at Amity ahead of Independence Day |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/army-s-grand-symphony-band-performs-at-amity-ahead-of-independence-day-116081201551_1.html |accessdate=11 February 2020 |work=[[Business Standard India]] |date=12 August 2016}}</ref>
*The band under the direction of Sub Nawan Khan took part in the [[JSDF Marching Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/indian-military-band-is-all-set-to-perform-at-the-japanese-marching-festival-in-tokyo-this-week-265000.html|title=Indian Military Band Is All Set To Perform At The Japanese Marching Festival In Tokyo This Week|date=7 November 2016|website=indiatimes.com}}</ref>
*In April 2017, the band performed at a concert sponsored by the [[Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Vietnam)|Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]] of [[Vietnam]] and the Indian Embassy in [[Hanoi]]. During the performance, three Vietnamese artists accompanied the band in performing the music arranged.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/what-s-on/176924/indian-dancers--army-band-on-vn-tour.html#ui=mobile&ui=mobile&ui=mobile |title=Indian dancers, army band on VN tour |website=VietNamNet News |date=2017-04-20 |accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.dangcongsan.vn/culture/indian-army-symphony-band-to-perform-in-vietnam-434957.html|title=Indian Army Symphony Band to perform in Vietnam|website=en.dangcongsan.vn}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://vietnamnews.vn/life-style/374943/indian-dancers-army-band-on-vn-tour.html|title=Indian dancers, army band on VN tour|website=vietnamnews.vn}}</ref>

==See also==
; India related
* [[Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas]]
* [[Delhi_Republic_Day_parade#Beating Retreat|Beating retreat in India]]
* [[Deshon Ka Sartaj Bharat]]
* [[Indian military bands]]
* [[Military Music Wing]]
* [[Music of India]]
* [[President's Bodyguard]]
* [[Tri-Services Guard of Honour (India)]]
* [[Samman Guard]]

; Other related
* [[Guard of honour]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1990]]
[[Category:Indian Army]]
[[Category:Indian military bands]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1990]]
[[Category:1990 establishments in Delhi]]

Indian Army Chief's Band - Revision history

Bot at 19:25, 4 December 2022