Buying Musical Instruments in India

Hi everyone,

I'm leaving for India in early May (13th) for two weeks and am really interested in buying a set of tabla drums somewhere. It seems as though Varanasi would probably be the best place because of the music schools there, but are there any other areas or cities that specialize in building tabla?
Also, what should I expect to pay for a really great set with a case? In the U.S. it seems that the average for a well crafted set is about $400.00. Is it possible to get them at half of that (or less) or is 4 bills what I'll be paying in India too?
I'd also like to take lessons while there. Any idea of prices for these?
Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

A lot less than $400. Years ago a relative bought a decent set for less than the equivalent of $50.

Jullundhar in the Punjab has a whole street of music equipment shops. Amritsar also has many such shops just head towards the Darbar Sahib and you will see these shops on the approach road near the Jallianwala Bagh.

You might try Chand brothers in Mahim (Mumbaii). This Zakir guy buys his there..

A decent to good set can be had in old Delhi for 50 - 75$. A good friend who is a serious player got his there, and he lives in Amritsar. I forget the name of the street, but there is a street full of music stores. Just play a bunch and haggle when you find a set you like. Don't be afraid to walk away if you don't like the price, and try somewhere else. You can always go back.

Last set I purchased, and this is going from memory from a few years ago, was in Delhi at Hare Krishna Music in Connaught Place. I didn't check a few weeks ago if they where still there but I did see some other excellent shops.

There is also quite of bit of shops in Delhi north of the Delhi Gate heading up to the Red Fort.


I had a custom made set done up for me, which took a few weeks to be made, and at the time it was around $80 USD. That consisted of a custom 3kg (larger size) Copper Bayan hand hammered with designs in it, not the usual brass one and a Rosewood Dayan. It also included the rings, covers, hammer, and a really good case. It's pretty sweet and compared to the other set I have that I purchased in the states it's night and day. The craftsman did a really good job on it. Same set in the states, since it's considered five star quality, would be around $500 USD.

For lessons, I never studied in India, but down in Udaipur there was quite a few teachers and you can go to their homes for private lessons, don't remember the price though.

Any teacher can teach you the basics and enough to keep you occupied for quite a long time and it almost any tourist town it's pretty easy to find a teacher. In the states you can continue lessons through the renowned
Ali Akbar College of Music which is an excellent college and also has a wide variety of videos and cd's to learn at home.

Sadly all my sets are up in attic collecting dust since I suffer from terrible carpal tunnel syndrome. Actually had them up for sale at a garage sale for only a few dollars and the only offer was an elderly lady who wanted to turn them into flower pots. I couldn't bare to see that happen and turned down the sale.

Mike

why dont you auction them here on indiamike?

Hi! I live in Ottawa,Ontario Canada and am not really that far from you? If you are still interested in selling those drums I would be interested. Pm me if so!

Cheers,
Chris

Would general laziness be an a good answer . They have been in storage for awhile and probably could use some new heads on them. Sitting in a cold attic is not the ideal conditions.

I'll see if I can get my digital camera working (also collecting dust) and send some pics. Also have a Sur Master electronic tanpura that I used to use as the drone sound.

--talking to myself--"I reall gotta do some spring cleaning".

Chris you've got mail.

For those who don't know what Tabla drums look like here is a photo I snapped of the above mentioned pair.

I'd be interested as well in the purchase of these beauties....I have quite the collection of percussion instruments.....are they for sale???

Unfortunately Chris has laid claim to them.

Gimme a few days and let me check on another pair I have. I am not sure on the condition of those since I haven't opened them in awhile.
Not as nice as the ones above though.

Mike

My ex boyfriend bought a set of tabla in Varanasi in 1990 for the equilalent of about £20.

About 2 years later he needed one to be reskinned, so I took it to a music shop in London who specialises, and the staff there told me that the tabla was one of the best he'd ever seen, and if he was selling it he would charge about £400 for the pair.

So yes, you can buy them cheap...and in Varanasi.

Hi Guys!
Thank you all sooo much for the quick and helpful responses. I'm even more excited now to get over there and do some shopping for tabla!

On top of all of the research I'm doing on travelling in India, I've also been doing a lot of research on tabla to make sure I know that I'm getting a good pair, but if anyone has some tips on things to look for I'd appreciate them.

Once again, I can't express my gratitude enough to you all. I wasn't even expecting much of a response, let alone from "The Big Cheese" himself!

Mike, your website is the best! I've learned so much from browsing it that I'm feeling more and more confident that this will be one of the most incredible trips of my life!

Anyway, I will be sure to keep watching and participating in the posts and I'll also be sure to keep you all informed on how I do over there and what kind of drums I get.

Thanks again everyone!
Carlos

Check out this messageboard devoted to tabla. Some serious players there that may be able to supply you with some insight on buying in India.

Not a problem Mike, if you do find them just PM me...if not, I didn't need them anyway.