Gangtok:THE Kolkata Police band, which will step into its 150Th year soon, now has something to cheer about. Its handpicked talent Prashant Tamang of Tumsung village in Darjeeling has made it to Top 8 in the Indian Idol contest .
To trace the history of the band, a group of Englishmen, On November 1, 1858 were mobilised from Calcutta to present a musical event at the Governor’s House. Around 250 Indians and British darogas ( policemen) in full ceremonial dresses, marched to the tune of the band on this occasion. These musicians were later recruited into the Calcutta Police to form the police band. Since then, years of practice turned the band into a well-trained group of 70 men, proficient in both Brass and Pipe instruments.
“But, in recent times, the band has failed to keep up with its age-old glory. We have just kept it alive somehow,” Subeder B B Rai, the band master, said. He also said that the band of over 100-members has not composed any music in the past one decade. “The band members do not get proper training. As and when there is any event like swearing-in of the governor or the chief minister, the Republic Day parade or any sporting events, we play tunes which we had been playing for years, said assistant band master M K Thapa.
“But, in recent times, the band has failed to keep up with its age-old glory. We have just kept it alive somehow,” Subeder B B Rai, the band master, said. He also said that the band of over 100-members has not composed any music in the past one decade. “The band members do not get proper training. As and when there is any event like swearing-in of the governor or the chief minister, the Republic Day parade or any sporting events, we play tunes which we had been playing for years, said assistant band master M K Thapa.
Many in the force feels that the demand of the hour is to modernise the band. To form an orchestra team as a part of the band, a talent hunt was conducted two years ago. In this, talented youngsters like PrashantTamang were picked up to play for the band.As for now, for the Alipore Body Guard Line — where most of the band members stay — it is time for everyone to vote for their celebrity colleague Prashant Tamang.
Everyone is ready to vote for him through SMS. “We hope that Prashant will be finalist in the Indian Idol and thus, glorify the Kolkata Police’s one-and-half-decade old band,” said Arup Mukherjee, a sepoy of Kolkata Police.
The Kolkata Police Band on tour to seek support for their colleague Prashant Tamang will be playing opposite Sikkim Police Headquarter building with the winners of Sikkim Swar Contest from 4p.m. onwards on tuesday ,July24.The show is being co-ordinated by Sikkim Journalists Forum and will be telecasted LIVE by Nayuma Television for Gangtok audience.
