1ndependence to Eid: Oldest Bohra band chimes on after seven decades

Mumbai: Over seven decades after its birth, Saifee Scout, the oldest community band of the Dawoodi Bohras in the city, has kept its tradition alive. Without a pause. And without charging a penny, as the members participate voluntarily.Most recently, on the Eid-e-Milad or Prophet Muhammad's birthday celebrations this past week, the 70-member Saifee Scout was mobilised for the occasion. It played a welcome tune to receive the 53rd leader of the Dawoodi Bohras, Syeda Mufaddal Saifuddin, at the Gol Deval and accompanied the Syedna's convoy to the iconic Saifee Masjid in Bhendi Bazar."Our band met Syedna Sahab's convoy at Gol Deval and walked majestically playing the welcome tune till the convoy reached the Masjid," said Yusuf Slatewala, Saifee Scout's leader or Group Lead Scout (GLS).

Founded in 1947, seven years after the Saifee High School was established in 1940 at Pydhonie, the band is one of the oldest Bohra community bands in the city. Since its birth, it has not missed an occasion to trumpet the blessings that came with azaadi in 1947.

It has celebrated not just the independence but our democracy itself with performances on myriad joyous occasions.

"This band was created with the blessings of 51st Dai or the community leader Syedna Taher Saifuddin," said Slatewala who took over the band's leadership 15 years ago.

"We have members aged between 20 and 70."They do not play at weddings or birthday parties, confining their participation to rare and solemn occasions. Featuring instruments like trombones, saxophones, trumpets, traditional Indian dhol, bigul, flute and clarinet, the band sets a joyous tone for Republic Day, Independence Day, Milads or birth anniversaries of present and past Syednas.They join young and even go out of the city for camps. Rehearsals are held on the ground floor hall of the Saifee High School. We met some of the members playing in the band and they appeared immensely enthused and confident.Ebrahim Anjarwala, 22, joined the band in 2016 when he was in class seven. "Being in the band has made me more disciplined, focused and punctual," said Anjarwala, whose father and grandfather too were in the band.Whether it is the welcome tune of Maharashtra, a military march or Milad or birthday celebrations of holy personalities, the boys turn out in smart uniforms and play the happy tunes. Abdeali Ujjainwala, 19, plays the euphonium with a swagger. "We treat it as an honour. It is a social service that gives us immense pleasure," says Ujjainwala.If the youngsters brim with confidence and excitement, the seniors, too, do not show slackness. We met Mansur Lokhandwala (67) and Juzer Electrcwala (71), guiding the young lot at the rehearsals at the Saifee High School.Seeing them, young and old members, enthusiastically practising with the youngsters gives hope. The sun will not set on Saifee Scout anytime soon.