British/Indian Army-style pipe band in the U.S.

[PSgt_Mick_Stewart]

I am not sure where to put this post, but I figured "General Discussion' would be correct.

My name is Mick Stewart and I am the Pipe Sergeant for the 51st Highland Division (Memorial) Pipe Band, located in Houston, Texas (USA). Our band's website is located at:

http://www.51stpipers.com

We are a regimental (traditiona) Scottish pipe band that seeks to honor all Scottish and Commonwealth pipers and drummers that served during the Second World War (1939-45). During that time, the Indian Army regiments served in North Africa (4th Indian Division), Sicily and Italy as well as in the Burma Campaign (7th, 10th, 12th, 17th and 20th Indian Divisions). Within these divisions, the Pujab Regiment, Sikh Regiment, Ghurka Rifles and another dozen regiments served with distinction.

This year our band has decided to add Indian Army pipers and drummers to our establishment. We are therefore recruiting for members of our band in Texas, the U.S. as well as a start-up band in Scotland (Aberdeen) where a former Scots Guard piper is heading up our band there. We are building an international pipe band with the objective of putting together a Second World War "tattoo" in the near future.

Although this is my first post, I hope to use this forum to learn more about Indian Army Regiments (the Sikhs, Rajputs, Ghurka's, Assam Regiment, Baluch Regiment, FF Rifles, etc) in order to better present the image of the Indian piper and drummer during the Second World War.

We would like to contact current Indian Army bagpipers / drummers and talk about pipes, drums, marching time, uniform, etc.

We would also appreciate hearing from former Indian Division WWII veterans if this is possible.

Regards,
Michael W. "Mick" Stewart
Pipe Sergeant, 51st Highland Div (Memorial) Pipe Band
website: http://www.51stpipers.com

[Rahul M]

welcome to BR. moving thread to mil forum. I guess sachin may be able to help you.

[KrishG]

Found this on Google:

Bagpipers of The 18 Grenadiers of Indian Army. Link

[PSgt_Mick_Stewart]

KrishG,

Thanks for the photo!

I've seen that one before.

I've scrolled through a good three dozen photographs of Indian pipers and drummers off the internet, found some really interesting ones as well.

But thanks for posting that one!

Yours Aye,
Mick

[Rahul M]

you might find this interesting then, http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORC ... rches.html

[tsarkar]

Try contacting Military Music Wing of Army Education Corps Centre at Pachmarhi. I am ex-Navy, so don’t have the address.

Indian forces aren’t inclined towards electronic communication, but try contacting the webmaster of the official Indian Army website at http://indianarmy.nic.in /

Webmaster, Indian Army
Room No B-30, ADG PI
South Block
Integrated Headquarters of MoD (Army)
New Delhi- 110011
Email :[email protected]

The webmaster could give you the phone number of the commandant.

Another option is contacting Indian Navy Director of Music, Provost & Musician Training School, INS Kunjali, Navynagar, Colaba, Mumbai 400005. Phone +91-22-22152194

Since musicians have professional associations, he could direct you to MMW Pachmarhi.

Hope this helps

[Lalmohan]

some gurkha units started playing the bagpipes after joint action with scottish regiments in afghanistan (look up malakand campaign) in the 1870's, I think battle of dargai heights is an example where the two units supported each other and cleared the heights of jehadis er... insurgents er... talibans... er... whatever they are called these days! and hence closer unit affiliations

the bagpipes also offer a closer musical match to Indian styles (my theory) which might explain their popularity with different Indian units

[ramana]

MOD site

Military Music Wing (MMW), Pachmarhi

The Military Music Wing (MMW) was raised in October, 1950. The Wing has not only been prolific with over 200 musical compositions to its credit, but has also excelled in maintaining the standard of Military Music in India through its diverse range of courses designed to take recruit bandsmen, pipers or drummers, form the rudiments of music to a stage of enviable musical proficiency. The MMW has grown extensively from its initial designed capacity of 132 to 264 students, although at times upto a strength of 364 is required to be trained.

Accessible to the bands of all the three Services, Para Military Forces, and musicians from friendly foreign countries, the Military Music Wing runs 10 courses, of which four are designed purely for the Military Band, the most advanced of which is the Potential band Master's Course, run over three years, which besides developing practical skills over all musical instruments of a Military Band, imparts effective training in composing, arranging and conducting, culminating in the award of the 'Licentiate in Military Music'. The students are also taught Indian instruments and, by the end of the course, are eligible for the Diploma in Hindustani Sangeet.

[Sachin]

Nothing more to add to what tsarkar added. P.Sgt Mick Stewart needs to contact the Military Music Wing and Pachmarhi. From what I know, military music (or bands) are not one of the top priority action items in the various Army units so response would take time .

In various other discussion boards where Pipe music was discussed, I noticed that the Scottish bag pipers opine that the bag pipes used by the Indian Army are of a totally different standard/bench mark. They adviced potential bagpipers to check when buying a bagpipe as it may be manufactured in India. As per them the tone produced by these bagpipes are totally different.

PS: If you have RealPlayer installed, I suggest you listen to some of the tunes we have online. It would help you to note the differences, since you are an experienced piper . Many of the tunes were based on Indian folk songs.