New Delhi (Agency): In the heart of Raipur, Chhattisgarh’s capital, an unforgettable musical spectacle was unveiled on Independence Day. The women’s bagpiper band, a fresh addition to the celebratory atmosphere, marked their historic debut, elevating the patriotic essence of the occasion and capturing the attention of everyone in attendance.
These talented women didn’t just perform; they enthralled the audience, including Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who graced the event as its chief guest. The magic of their music and the synchronized movement of their march held the public in awe.
Sharing her pride and excitement, Bandmaster Renuka Chouhan expressed, “For the first time women bagpiper band performed and it was praised by everyone.” Their performance was not just about playing tunes; it was a well-coordinated dance of sound and movement. “On the beats of the band as well as patriotic tracks, the women bagpipers presented a very attractive and synchronized kick march as well as slow march,” she explained.
Digging deeper into the story of this band, it’s revealed that around 35 members form this group. These women hail from the 20th battalion in Mahasamund. Their journey to this momentous day involved intensive training. Three leaders among them mastered the intricate techniques of handling the band’s sticks. As Chouhan shared, “The team took training in playing the musical instrument at Panchkula for a timeframe of six months and also learned about different types of march-past.”
Interestingly, many members of this band were unfamiliar with bagpiper bands before their initiation. “Earlier, the team members neither heard about bagpiper band nor seen the performance of it. The team members only heard about brass bands,” Renuka noted. This makes their achievement even more remarkable, for they transitioned from unfamiliarity to mastery in a short span, eventually becoming Chhattisgarh’s first-ever women’s bagpiper band.
Overcoming challenges was an integral part of their journey. From mastering the nuances of the instruments to ensuring perfectly synchronized steps during their march, their journey was one of dedication and persistence. As Bandmaster Renuka aptly put it, “After overcoming every challenge during the training programme, we managed to learn handling the instruments as well as ensuring synchronized footsteps at the time of march-past.”
The performance of the women’s bagpiper band on Independence Day wasn’t just an addition to the day’s festivities; it symbolized breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and a testament to the indomitable spirit of women. As Chhattisgarh celebrated India’s 77th year of freedom, the state also celebrated a new beginning in the world of music and performance.