Army Today

Indian Military Marches




























General Salute

The General Salute tune played by the Indian Army Band. General Salute is authorised for a Brigadier and above.

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Swagatam (Welcome)

This tune is not a march, but played during other ceremonial occassions. It is based on the lyrics of Narindar Sharma, and is composed by L.B Gurung.

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Raag Yaman

A good quick march composed by L.B Gurung, former Director of Music, Military Music Wing. The march is based on a Hindustani Raaga known as Yaman Kalyan (or Yamuna Kalyani in Carnatic music).

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Channa Bilawari

Slow march composed by Subedar Ram Pal, Band Master of the Kumaon Regiment. This tune has been adapted from a popular folk song of Kumaon hills. The song is sung by a girl requesting her father that she should not be got married to a boy of the village "Channa Bilauri" which is very hot and humid. Used to the luxury of cold climate, the girl narrates how it will be difficult for her to get adjusted with the heat waves in Channa Bilauri. This is generally played during inspection of Parades.

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Aaj Dia Rati

Composed by Naib Subedar Dina Nath, instructor of music at the Military Music Wing. This slow march is based on Dogra folk tune.

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Almora March

This is a quick march composed by Subedar Major Ganesh Gurung, the band Master of the Kumaon Regiment. It is based on a Kumaoni folk tune.

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Gangotri

This stunning quick march was judged as the best quick march during the Army Band Competition held in the year 1976 and received the "Lawrence D' Mello Shield". It was composed by Subedar Major Bachan Singh Negi, the band master of Garhwal Rifles Regimental Centre. Gangotri is also the name of a glacier in the Himalayas.

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Herana Herana

This is a quick march played by the Pipes and drums. Composed by Honorary Captain Jaman Singh, the tune is based on a Kumaoni folk song having the same name.

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Kerala

A quick march based on an old song of Kerala, a state known for its natural beauty. Composed by Havildar Major Madhavan Nair, who is also a native of this state.

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Pragati

Quick march composed by Risaldar Surat Singh, an instructor at the Military Music Wing. Pragati means progress. This incidentally happens to be the first composition of the composer. Quick march composed by Risaldar Surat Singh, an instructor at the Military Music Wing. Pragati means progress. This incidentally happens to be the first composition of the composer.

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General Tappy

This march has been dedicated to General Tapishwar Narain Raina, ex-Chief of Army Staff, an officer of Kumaon Regt. The Quick march, General Tappy is a Tribute to this great soldier. It was composed by Subedar Ganesh Gurung, who was the band master of the Kumaon Regiment.

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Torch Light

Quick March composed by Lieutenant (later Captain) H.K.Thakur

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Amar Panch Sheel (Long Live the Five Virtues)

Quick march composed by Harold Joseph.

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Desh Sena (The Nation's Army)

Slow march composed by Harold Joseph

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Sam Bahadur (Sam, the Brave)

Quick march composed by L.B.Gurung. This tune is named after Field Marshal S.H.F.J Manekshaw, the hero of the 1971 war. Manekshaw had commanded a few Gorkha units, and was affectionatley called Sam Bahadur.

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Dhwaj Ka Rakshak (The Defenders of the Flag)

Slow march composed by J.H.D Simeon.

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Gorkha Brigade

Quick march played by the pipe band. Composed by L.B Gurung.

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General Krishna

Quick march composed by Harold Joseph.

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Hai Kancha (Hey..young boy)

Quick march played by the pipe band. Composed by L.B. Gurung. Kancha in Gorkhali, means a young boy. It is an affectionate term used in the Indian Army, when referring to Gorkha soldiers.

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Navrang (New Colours)

Slow march composed by L.B Gurung. It is played by the pipe band.

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IMA Troop

Slow march composed by Harold Joseph.

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Kadam Barhaye Jaa (Forward March)

A stunning Quick march composed by Jemadar Sete. This is also the regimental quick march of the Para Regiments.

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Kesariya Bana

Quick march played by the pipe band, composed by Shiv Dayal Singh.

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Konkan Sundari (The beauty from Konkan)

Quick march composed by Harold Joseph, based on Goan traditional music. Konkan is a coastal area, lying in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka.

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Samman Guard (The Honour Guard)

Slow march composed by L.B Gurung. This tune may be used during the inspection of a Guard of Honour.

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Hanste Lushai (The smiling hills of Lushai)

Quick march composed by Harold Joseph. Lushai hills lie in the border state of Mizoram, close to Myanmar (Burma).

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Moomal

Waltz composed by F.H Reid. Moomal is the name of a beautiful princess of Rajasthan. Her story is still sung in many ballads and folklores. This is not a march, but will be played during other military functions where the band will be in attendance.

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Rajasthan

Slow march composed by F.H. Reid.

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Sher-E-Jawan (Tiger of a Soldier)

Quick march composed by Subedar (later Captain) H.K Thakur.

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General Thimayya

Quick march played by the pipe band. It was composed by Subedar Triloki.

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Vir Gorkha (The Brave Gorkha)

Quick march composed by L.B. Gurung, it is based on Gorkha folk songs.

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Kadam Kadam Bhadaye Jaa .. (Every Step, Forward)

Quick march composed by Captain Ram Singh, to inspire the freedom fighters of the INA. The tune is still used as a quick march of the Indian Army. It is also the Regimental March past of the Para Military forces.

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Extremely grateful to Brigadier P.S Ravindranath, Captain Deepak Yadav and the Ceremonial Directorate, Adjutant General's Branch, Indian Army. Please click on the icon to listen to the tunes.