As part of Navy Day 2024 Celebrations, the Indian navy Symphonic Band performance was organised by INS Netaji Subhas & MTU, Kolkata at South City Mall on 09 November 2024. The event was witnessed by over 1500 residents of Kolkata.
The Indian Navy Band, also known as Indian Naval Symphonic Band is the Indian Navy’s full time music band. It was established in 1945 and is currently attached to the INS Kunjali. At the time of it commissioning, it had a strength of 50 musicians. All band members have a bachelor’s degree from recognized university and can play competently in at least one military sponsored instrument.
The Indian Naval Symphonic Orchestra consists of 125 musicians, all of whom perform in concert settings. Various conductors of the band in its history have increased the range of its repertoire to include arrangements of symphonies, solos, concertos and other forms of contemporary music that includes Indian classical and Western pop music. The band has also improvised on Hindustani classical and Carnatic raga in various forms and genres, particularly in fusion with the Western and Jazz music. Today, the band now uses traditional instruments such as the Mridangam, the Tabla, and Carnatic instruments. The band also has made enhancements in recent years to include the addition adding a large string section comprising violins, violas, cellos and double basses to make it a complete symphonic orchestra.
