With new musicians on board, famed Mysuru police band set to enthral

Shilpa P | NT

With 11 more musicians appointed to vacant posts, the Mysuru police band now performing in front of Mysuru Palace every evening from 5pm to 6 pm since January 2, is set to provide a better treat to visitors with their mesmerizing instrumental music.

Mysuru city police commissioner Dr Chandragupta said that recruitment to the English and Carnatic police bands of Mysuru which have a history of 154 years, has happened after 15 years with the last recruitment happening in 2007.

Six musicians who have been recruited now to the Carnatic band, will play Dilbura, Alto Saxophone, Harmonium, Shahanai, Ephonium and Veena. The total sanctioned strength is 32 and with with these new recruitments, there are a total 22 musicians in the bands. The five musicians recruited to the western/ English band will play Violin, B Clarinet, B Trumpet, B Cornet and Tuba/Chest Bass. T he sanctioned strength is 48 and there are now 38 musicians. “The appointment to the remaining vacancies will be done soon,” Dr Chandragupta said.

According to M Lakshminarayan, Huzoor secretary of the erstwhile royal family of Mysuru, the band was earlier known as ‘Palace band’ and was formed in 1868 by Sri Chamaraja Wadiyar. It had 150 musicians then including those of British and Indian origin and was led by band leader J.M. D’Fries. After 1970 the ‘Palace band’ was handed over to the police department.

This band enjoys a unique place in the Dasara Jumbo Savari procession on Vijayadashami Day, and the Carnatic music band is carried in the Aane gaadi. The English band performs the national anthem when the floral tribute is offered by the CM to Goddess Chamundeswari. They perform with several unique musical instruments including Clarinet, Trumpet, Flute, Euphonium, Key board , cymbal, Guitar, Jaw set, drum, side drum. Apart from traditional songs, they have adapted themselves to some modern popular tunes too.