There will be many firsts for the Republic Day parade at Rajpath this year. Among the changes made for the event is the introduction of a desi tune instead of the martial tune which has been played since British time.

This year, 'Shankhanad' will be heard on the Rajpath on January 26. Sankhnaad, a martial tune created for the Indian Armed forces will be played for the first time. This is the first original martial tune of independent India based on Indian classical music and the composition of the tune is the combination of three classical ragas--Raag Bilaskhani Todi, Raag Bhairavi and Raag Kirvani.

The tune has been composed by Dr Tanuja Nafade, a professor from Nagpur, and is based on a poem written by Brig. Vivek Sohal. The Mahar Regiment took the decision to remove British tune and bring Indian classical music.

The tune was accepted as official martial tune in December 2017. It was played by 14 military bands together for the first time during the Army day parade held on January 15, 2019.

While the martial tune is composed by the army, it is for the first time a person from outside the armed forces has been roped in to help compose the tune.

Talking to Zee Media, Dr Nafade said she was very happy with the composition and could not wait to hear the music composed by her to be played at the Rajpath on Republic Day.

The 90-minute parade that will start at 10 am on January 26 will have South African President Cyril Ramaphosa as the chief guest.

22 Tableaux of various states and departments with the theme --150 years of Mahatma Gandhi will add colour to the parade and be the main attraction for many.

The Indian army will be represented by mounted columns of 61 cavalry, 8 mechanised columns, 6 marching contingents and a flypast by Rudra and Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters of army aviation.

(With inputs from Sidhant Sibal)