Melody Makers

“Music, the greatest good that mortals know, And all of heaven we have below.”
—Joseph Addison.

Tucked away in the hustlebustle of Lal Bazar is a stretch that could euphemistically be called the city’s music mohalla. From guitars to synthesisers, tablas and sitars, you can tune in to any shop for a bargain buy. Being wholesellers, they not only supply instruments to shops in India but also export musical instruments to Europe and Japan!

The story of this music street dates back to the British era. Initially, a handful of shops were set up by musicians, aiming to supply musical instruments to jalsas of zamindars that were popular during that time. With the rising popularity of the trade, employees of the East India Company joined the hub, shipping in Western musical instruments. With acceptance and patronage of many, this locality now boasts of more than 20 establishments.

Shops like N N Mondal & Sons and Sardar & Sons have been in existence from those very days, passing down from one generation to the next. Most of these shops now specialise both in Indian and Western musical instruments.

Despite high costs of production, most of these manufacturers maintain that they never compromise on quality. “There were days when I ran on loss and yet made sure I gave quality stuff just to see a youngster smile,” says Ibrar, a new trader on the block. His shop is only a year-and-a-half old. But most of the shops that line the street are more than a few decades old and inherited business.

“Property here is very expensive. One cannot even think about setting up a big shop here,” says Md Yonis Molla, owner of Mohini Flute Harmonium Co. “My shop has been passed down from my grandfather to my father and then to me, hopefully some day my grandchildren will also step into our shoes,” he says fondly.

Sitars, one of the hottest selling items here, cost only Rs 1,500. Harmonicas are easily available for Rs 200 a piece and one can get a reliable drumset for as less as Rs 2,500. You can also buy Tablas (Rs 350 onwards), harmoniums (Rs 1,000 onwards) and tanpuras (Rs 1,500 onwards).
This music mohalla is also a heaven for second-hand musical instruments. Those who are not ready to spend much on instruments they have just been introduced to, can settle for some great buys at pretty affordable prices.

“I did start off with a second hand guitar as I wasn’t sure how long I would be interested in music, but now that I can play, I didn’t hesitate to buy a Fender electric guitar,” says Rohan Munshi, student and a passer-by on the street of sounds.

Second-hand guitars are available for as cheap as Rs 500, while fresh ones, locally made, come for Rs 800. Branded ones are also available at very cheap rates. Though most of the factories that supply the instruments are located in suburbs like Baranagar and Murshidabad, many of the traders have their own workshops right here on this street which manufacture tablas and other instruments. In fact, masters in their own right, shopowners often teach youngsters how to tune in to their instruments! Says 13-year-old Gaurab Chatterjee, “I not only know how to tune my guitar, but also my sister’s harmonium, sitar and tanpura! I was taught by the gentleman at the shop.” Gourab was taken by his teacher to N N Mondal & Sons.

In an age of fusion and ipods, it’s sure a struggle for most of these music makers to survive. “How many youngsters are seen practising classical music these days?’’asks Rabindra Nath Sardar, owner of Sardar & Sons. “Our factories are being closed down due to lack of artisans and interest…. How long can we survive in this fashion?” But Sudam Mondal, owner of N N Mondal & Sons, thinks otherwise, “Even today we export musical instruments to countries like Germany, Japan and Paris. We supply instruments to all parts of the country. We are as popular as ever.’’