Highlights at Beating Retreat 2026 were shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described the performances by different bands as “memorable” and an example of India’s rich military traditions. Shri Modi highlighted the outstanding performance by the Air Force Band, which played songs like Brave Warrior, Twilight, Alert (Post Horn Gallop), and Flying Star in addition to the eye-catching Sindoor formation, in a series of posts on social media site X. He also praised the Naval Band for their faultless performance of the Matsya Yantra formation, which included Namaste, Sagar Pawan, Matribhumi, Tejasvi, and Jai Bharati. The prime minister emphasized how the CAPF bands’ performances, which honored soldiers who defend the country, were full of energy and pride.
He specifically mentioned the Army Military Band, pointing out its celebrations of Operation Sindoor, 150 years of Vande Mataram, India’s victories in women’s cricket, the Ashni drone, Bhairav Battalion, and the historic Garuda Vyuha combat formation. The Prime Minister also admired the rendition of Drummers’ Call, characterizing it as “spectacular” and particularly meaningful amid the nation’s celebration of 150 years of Vande Mataram. Every year at Vijay Chowk, the Beating Retreat ritual celebrated the military’s operational and musical prowess and attracted attention from all over the nation with its unique blend of creativity, accuracy, and patriotism.