New ‘players’ increase police ‘bandwidth’ as 126 musicians join Kerala Police band

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For two years, Dani J Stanly, a native of Adoor, worked with Vineeth Sreenivasan's music band as a guitarist.

Key points

• Among the trainees, 12 are postgraduates, one is an engineer, 45 are degree holders, and 13 are engineering diploma holders.
• The band unit is responsible for playing marching tunes for the Independence Day, Republic Day and police parades.
• After which there was a freeze in hiring, this method continued until 2006.
• The induction of civil police officers to the band unit is a milestone for the police as well.
• Mahadevan T H, another trainee, is a law graduate who additionally performed on the tabla in live concerts and church and temple programmes.

For context, the induction of civil police officers to the band unit is a milestone for the police as well. It is for the first time in police history that the band members have been recruited through the Public Service Commission (PSC). The police band was formed in 1975 and the department previously would bring in local artists or transfer personnel with artistic inclination to meet the band's requirements.

After which there was a freeze in hiring, this method continued until 2006. The current recruitment via PSC was done to fill the vacancies and to strengthen the band unit. It had shrunk in size over the years.

For context, the band unit is responsible for playing marching tunes for the Independence Day, Republic Day and police parades. The unit additionally provides its service during VIP visits and other major departmental events. Once they pass out, the band unit members will be attached to various camps throughout the state and they will be responsible for performing during police events for the next 25 to 30 years.

Dani, who specialised in playing the euphonium during training, remarked he chose the police job on account of it being a stable profession where he can pursue his passion as well.

Mahadevan T H, another trainee, is a law graduate who additionally performed on the tabla in live concerts and church and temple programmes. He additionally played the Nashik dhol for private events and afterwards received training in the side drum. It paved the way for his police entry.

Mahadevan's father served in the fire and rescue services department and the cadet remarked his love for the uniform grew after seeing his father's work. "I always wanted to be part of the force and don the uniform. My fascination for the uniform is due to my father, " he remarked.

Among the trainees, 12 are postgraduates, one is an engineer, 45 are degree holders, and 13 are engineering diploma holders. There are additionally five retired army personnel among the trainees. This person had mastered the skills in handling instruments while serving in the army.

They required only modifications to match the police requirements. During the training period, the cadets were trained in self-defence, swimming, firing, law, and parade. Advanced training was additionally given in handling brass and pipe bands. The brass bands feature instruments like trumpet, saxophone, euphonium, snare drums, bass drums and cymbals. Pipe band instruments are bagpipes, snare drums and bass drums. The training in instruments was given at the KAP Battalion II and the MSP.

While some have multiple years of experience under their belt, all trainees have at least a year's experience in handling instruments. A majority of them worked in professional set-ups, partaking in church events and performing in concerts.

Taken together, the developments around new 'players' increase police 'bandwidth' as 126 musicians join Kerala Police band point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.