‘Mehteran’ enthrals audience at Turkish Embassy

To mark 70 years of diplomatic relations with Pakistan and to celebrate Pakistan Day, the ambassador of Turkey, Sadik Babur Girgin and Mrs. Asli Girgin hosted a performance of history's most famous Ottoman military band, ‘Mehteran,’- officially part of the Armed Forces of Turkey - which was here to participate in the Pakistan Military Parade.  The event was attended mostly by members of Pakistani civil society but a few diplomats could also be seen among the guests.

Welcoming his guests, Ambassador Girgin greeted them on the occasion of Pakistan Day on behalf of himself; his embassy and the people of Turkey and concluded by saying a few words about the band.

The event was held on the lawn of the embassy with chairs placed in a semi-circle for guests to be seated for the performance. Dressed in costumes which have probably been coming down since the time the band was formed - they were both colourful as well as reflective of those times - the band entered the area in single file, marching to the beat of a military tune and took up positions in a semicircle opposite the guests, with the main percussionist in the centre on a large set of drums (timpani). Apart from the different kinds of drums, bugles, cymbals (zil) and trumpets (boru), other musical instruments of Turkish origin, like a staff with bells (cevgen) and zurna - an oboe-like woodwind instrument with seven holes above and one below - which are a part of folk culture all over Turkey, are also used by the band to create their melody.

The band played about half a dozen rousing numbers with vocals and surprised and delighted the Pakistani audience by also singing ‘Jeevay Pakistan,’ and ‘Dil, Dil, Pakistan!’Although they only knew the first verses, it was heart warming to see how enthusiastically they vocalized them and needless to say, they got an extra long round of applause for the effort. 

Later when refreshments were served, guests got a chance to meet with the bend members and scores of ‘selfies’ or photographs were taken as a reminder of the occasion – and possibly to post on social media by those who like to do so! Speaking to the officer who conducted the band during the display it was interesting to learn that he had only heard “Dil, Dil, Pakistan’ the day before! “I liked it very much,” he said, “so we decided to include it in our repertoire for this evening.”

Refreshments in the form of supper were served and consisted of Turkish specialties which the guests enjoyed before leaving with nice memories of Turkish hospitality; friendship and a great display by the ‘Oldest Military Band in the world!’