This single image has stirred a spate of writing exercise inside me. Phrases of their hundreds and tales imagined and actual. Some match for public consumption and others that I dare not reveal. Earlier than you learn the remainder of this text, I urge you to sit down again, put your ft up and click on on the hyperlink under…
Now take note of the {photograph}. On shut inspection you’ll spot the phrases Madras Regiment inscribed on the bottom drum. I’d defined the transfer of this merry band of musicians to Hyderabad in my earlier article on the Powell household. (siasat.com nineteenth December 2020).
The massive cauldron like drums positioned on the bottom on both extremity are known as timpanis or kettle drums. Don’t mistake the instrument beside the timpani on the left for a xylophone. It’s a Glockenspiel—composed of steel tubes, whereas xylophones are made out of wooden. Apart from Band Grasp Powell, just one different gentleman dons a cross belt. I presume he’s the Second-in- Command. The opposite musicians are in khaki shorts and knee-high socks. On their heads relaxation askew pointed berets adorned with a pair of brass buttons apiece. Band Grasp Powell’s distinguished cap is named a P-cap.
Seated subsequent to John Fredrick Powell is Main Charles Henry Luschwitz, Director of Music for the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad. It’s fascinating to notice that Charles Henry inherited his put up from his father, Joseph Henry. Conflicting tales exist as regards how Joseph Henry Luschwitz, a gifted German musician, wound up in Hyderabad. One suggests Salar Jung I heard him play in Vienna and requested him to maneuver to Hyderabad. The opposite that Salar Jung I lured him away from the 2nd Baluchi Regiment of Karachi the place he served as their Band Grasp. Regardless of the reality could also be, we all know for a incontrovertible fact that Mehboob Ali Khan, the sixth Nizam, promoted Joseph Henry from Band Grasp to Director of Music.
Returning to the {photograph}, behind the girl within the splendid wide-brimmed hat lies one other uncommon instrument: the tubular bells. They needed to be performed by placing the tubes with a mallet. Within the far right-hand nook, a standing musician, bow in hand, flanks his bass violin.
Symmetrically reverse, additionally standing, a musician holds a euphonium. From the far right-hand nook within the final row protrudes a large rimmed tuba. The lengthy black devices are clarinets. In the direction of the left of the tubular bell is a horn. Additionally seen are flutes and saxophones.
Not solely have been our band of musicians merry and possessed of essentially the most magnificent devices, they have been most wanted. In spite of everything, within the years between the World Wars, social life in Hyderabad was moderately hectic. The Nizam’s Police Band marched between the British Residence at King Kothi and the palaces of Hyderabad’s royalty and the Aristocracy to carry out at official capabilities, receptions for overseas dignitaries and banquets. How that tuba and the horn should have blared. How onerous the drummer, bass drum strapped round his center should have banged his drumsticks whereas his band-mates piped in with their respective devices. All of the whereas, Band Grasp Powell along with his baton dancing within the air should have carried out the rendition of assorted British Army Marches, amongst them Colonel Boogie and Semper Fidelis. I discovered from his grandson Dennis that John Fredrick had taught his band the music for operatic overtures by Rossini, Bize and Franz Von Suppe.
After Independence, marching bands all through India modified their tune. Indian Band Masters composed Indian Marches inculcating components of Indian and European music.
Fashionable on this record: Saare Jahan se Accha, Gangotri, Sher-E-Javan and Kadam, Kadam Badeja. Sadly, over the a long time the Police laid much less and fewer significance within the imparting of musical coaching to its sepoys and constables. The marching bands of the Indian Military and Navy nonetheless preserve a satisfaction of place and play at army capabilities and parades. And naturally, in modern-day India, band-baaja can’t be talked about with out the phrase baraat.
Over eighty years have handed since our merry musicians posed for this excellent {photograph}, they now not march in our world, their devices lengthy consigned to the graveyards of scrap and the cremation of home stoves. Nonetheless, a look on the unmistakable satisfaction in these fifty-odd males’s faces compels us to pay homage to the brass band musicians of yore. All we should to is shut our eyes and focus. Over the din of fireworks and restricted revelry, you may hear the faint strains of their devices from past. And, almost certainly, tonight they may favour this historic Scottish ballad.
My because of Dennis Augustine Powell for enlightening me with the historical past of marching bands. Joyful 2021 to each previous acquaintance and the brand new.
Zeenath Khan is predicated in Mumbai. She writes columns and blogs and is within the means of writing a e-book on Hyderabad.
