Lucknow:

Formed by captain Ram Singh, a favourite of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the State Band of Uttar Pradesh has the distinction of having played the National Anthem at the Red Fort on August 15, 1947 as the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the Tricolour. The proud band is fading slowly into oblivion, with no recruitments in the past 30 years and its strength reduced from 56 in 1948 to 21 at present.

Still playing at all government events, the band leads the Republic Day and Independence Day parades, besides all functions where it is required as a protocol. On Friday, the band will present a special show at the Patel Pratima Park in Hazratganj.

“Government has made no recruitments for the band since 1975. They induct PAC jawans but there is no provision whatsoever to even allow those who want to join the band to switch over from regular police force duties,” says a member of the band on condition of anonymity. “We can’t talk to the press without the permission of our bosses,” he said.

Commandant 35th Battalion Luv Kumar, who took charge of the post on Thursday, said the band needs immediate attention. “I will take up the issue with the department and I am sure our seniors will take it up with the government,” he said.

For the band members, there is every reason to believe the government is probably not even aware of the prevailing situation. “During Mayawati (2007-2012)’s regime, one of us, who got a chance to interact with P L Punia, the then principal secretary to chief minister, took up the issue on a personal basis. The government reacted promptly and sanctioned funds required to replace all instruments with brand new ones,” says another band member.

Prior to that, the band had trumpets and bugles which had holes and the main drum had a number of patches on it to keep it intact. “We have new equipment but not as many members to play. Once we retire, in the next few years, this historical band will stop playing unless steps are taken to save it,” said the band member.

The state band, which was later declared the Band for 35th Battalion of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) once the force came into being, last made headlines when it was adjudged Best Police Band of the country at the First All India Police Band Competition held at Lucknow in 1999. But that was last that the Band members today remember to have celebrated.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Pervez Iqbal Siddiqui, TNN / August 15th, 2014