King Charles greeted with 'Dhoom Machale' on Commonwealth Day ceremony: 'Band master cooked'

Coverage by major broadcasters, including the BBC, confirmed the event's occurrence.​

Approximately two weeks ago, during the annual Commonwealth Day ceremony at Westminster Abbey, King Charles and Queen Camilla were greeted by the distinctive strains of "Dhoom Machale," performed by the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band. This unique fusion of Scottish bagpipes and a popular Bollywood tune created a memorable cross-cultural moment that resonated with many.​

The Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band, established in the early 1950s, blends traditional Scottish bagpiping with Hindu cultural elements. With branches in the UK, India, the USA, and Kenya, the band has a history of performing at significant events, including greeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address at Madison Square Garden. ​

The band's performance at the Commonwealth Day ceremony was captured and shared on social media, quickly gaining widespread attention. Viewers expressed astonishment and delight at the unexpected musical choice, with some questioning the video's authenticity. However, coverage by major broadcasters, including the BBC, confirmed the event's occurrence.​

Social media users responded with a mix of humour and admiration. References to actor Hrithik Roshan's portrayal of a character disguising as Queen Elizabeth in "Dhoom 2" were prevalent. One user quipped, "That's clearly Hrithik Roshan disguised as Camilla," while another joked, "Relax boys, it's Hrithik gone to take the Kohinoor back."

“The band master cooked that day," another user commented.

"Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band London were honoured to perform at the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey in the esteemed presence of Their Majesties King Charles and Queen Camilla. A truly unforgettable moment celebrating unity, heritage, and culture, and follows a long list of performances by the band in front of royalty," read the caption of the post.