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An old photograph of the Kerala Armed
Police Orchestra
The Orchestra of the 1st Battalion Kerala Armed Police, which occupied
the centre stages in Kerala for many years to come proved that there were good artistes
among the tough hearted police men. Between 1973 and 1980 the police orchestra had carved
a special place for themselves in the hearts of music lovers.
The singers included Jr.Mehaboob, Benny Chalissery, Vidhyadharan, Albert, Sivasankaran and
Ravikumar. The orchestra was conducted by the Clarinet and and Saxophone master M.T
Antony. The idea of this music troupe came into the mind of Mr. G.K Menon, then the
Commandant of the 1st. Bn. KAP. Special recruitments were made to the Police Band troupe.
After their training the police men were so busy that they were travelling from one
theater to the other. The police orchestra some times even conducted 30 shows per month.
During the Ganamela competitions held in Kottayam, the Kerala Police Orchestra was
ranked as the best music troupe and for having the best singer.
This popularity also helped the police help in controling tough situations. In Idukki Dt.
in Kerala, an unruly mob had surrounded a police station. To rescue the police men inside,
Mr. Balakrishnan (also in charge of the music troupe) and a posse of police men arrived at
the scene. When the mob heard that this police party was from Thrissur, they eagerly
enquired about the Police Orchestra of the 1st Bn. KAP. Within minutes the angry mob
cooled down!
 The Police Orchestra did not have any ladies
among its artistes! This deficiency was overcome thanks to Vidhyadharan, who could sing in
the female voice, which could even put ladies to shame.
The era of this wonderful music troupe finally came to an end during
the beginning of the 80s. Some of the artistes resigned from the police. Most of them
changed over to the Police Band. The Sitar Expert Subramanyan, went to the
professional music field. Jr. Mehaboob, finally got settled in Cochin. Vidhyadharan, now
works in the Office of the Police Superindent, Calicut.
Today the music instruments of this troupe are having a rest at the head quarters of the
1st. Bn. KAP at Thrissur. The police artistes of this troupe still cherish in their
memories the golden days of the Kerala Armed Police Orchestra.
This information is taken
from the magazine Thrissur Visesham published by Malayala Manorama. Comments regarding this page
may be sent to sachin@bharat-rakshak.com.
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