MUMBAI: Military bands from five nations including Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France and Britain will participate in India's first ever Military music festival to be conducted in New Delhi from 25 February to 9 March. The participating countries will march to their respective martial tunes.

The festival is being organised by the army at the parade ground in Delhi cantonment, the Purana Qila and the India Gate, a senior army official told IANS. Thailand and Kazakhstan were the other two contries to whom invitations were sent though they are not participating. Each contingent would be of 50 people each. The foreign military bands arrive in New Delhi on  25 February.

From India, bands of all the three arms - army, navy and air force, Kalaripayattu (traditional martial art of Kerala) display team, teams from northeast, bhangra dance, Ladakh dance and lezim dance from Maharashtra would also be showcased.

President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be present on the first day of the festival.

Nearly 50 performances on the parade grounds of the Army Cantonment, India Gate and Purana Qila have already notched up interest for the events which offer symphonic perfection, apart from every country's own decorative presentation and traditional marching.

The Indian Army will begin its programme with the Pipes and Drums band, led by Naik Subedar Darshan Singh, which will be followed by the military band led by Subedar Major Ramesh, with a significant influence of the British music traditions.

Last July, a 400-member contingent had participated in the Bastille Day parade in France. Entry to the week-long spectacle is open to the public at India Gate and Purana Qila. Special permission will be required to attend the festival at the parade grounds.