Such expensive "matkas" - it must be a joke - right?

Paagla Dashu · Feb 25th, 2006, 13:39

Most folk from rural India will have a shock of a life time if they are told of the price of these "Matkaas" (Ghatam):

http://www.indian-instruments.com/pe...on/ghatam.html

http://www.indian-instruments.com/percussion/ghatam.htm

Matkaas - earthenware for storing water used in rural India - they look absolutely similar.

Nick-H - is that what you have to spend?

Nick-H · Feb 26th, 2006, 00:03

A ghatam is not, although it looks identical, just an ordinary earthenware water pot. It is made for music, the clay is of a different composition, and it is made to play a specific note. Not my instrument, but I believe they are available here for about Rs50.

They are very, very fragile, take up a lot of space to ship, and that is why, I was told by a London instrument shop, they charge more like 50 GBP there. That was ten years ago. It is bad, but not quite as bad as you think

However, other stuff on that site seems expensive. This at 350EURO can be found on US sites (a quick google) for less than 200 USD ---- probably a fairer price for something that costs maybe 7 or 8 thousand INR here.

They are selling mridangams for EUR320. A grade-A made-to-order mridangam here is 4 or 5 thousand IND. In London it would be GBP175 or more. It weighs 10kilo, by the time it is shipped and taxes are paid the profit is not as good as it looks at first!

On the occasions that I get to sell morsings in UK I charge around GBP5. They cost about GBP1.7 here. Others sell them for as much as GBP15! My customers are happy --- especially as I select and tune them carefuly.

rhytha · Feb 26th, 2006, 00:19

morsings in UK, wow did'nt know that morsings where in demand there.

Nick-H · Feb 26th, 2006, 00:36

Oh yes!

Did you know that London has more arangetrams than any other city outside India? Carnatic music and dance are very much alive there, with quite a number of resident musicians/teachers.

Paagla Dashu · Feb 26th, 2006, 08:15

Yes I do understand that the Ghatams are different and the cost of logistics etc etc.

But, seriousness aside, just imagine the shock an Indian who does not know what Ghatam is - will get to see those prices!!!

What are "morsings"?

What instrument do you play then?

Nick-H · Feb 26th, 2006, 12:01

Here is my morsing web page

Amazingly enough, I'm not the only one: Beebah (hope I didn't misspell that) is another Morsing (jews harp) player on IM!

Paagla Dashu · Feb 26th, 2006, 12:04

I thought you played some kind of south indian purcussion instrument?

Nick-H · Feb 26th, 2006, 13:08

Morsing = some kind of South Indian Percussion Instrument.

Feb 25th, 2006, 13:39	#1
Paagla Dashu Unreasonably Unreasonable Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Where They Wear Clogs Posts: 1,222	Such expensive "matkas" - it must be a joke - right? Most folk from rural India will have a shock of a life time if they are told of the price of these "Matkaas" (Ghatam): http://www.indian-instruments.com/pe...on/ghatam.html http://www.indian-instruments.com/percussion/ghatam.htm Matkaas - earthenware for storing water used in rural India - they look absolutely similar. Nick-H - is that what you have to spend?

Feb 26th, 2006, 00:03	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,420	A ghatam is not, although it looks identical, just an ordinary earthenware water pot. It is made for music, the clay is of a different composition, and it is made to play a specific note. Not my instrument, but I believe they are available here for about Rs50. They are very, very fragile, take up a lot of space to ship, and that is why, I was told by a London instrument shop, they charge more like 50 GBP there. That was ten years ago. It is bad, but not quite as bad as you think However, other stuff on that site seems expensive. This at 350EURO can be found on US sites (a quick google) for less than 200 USD ---- probably a fairer price for something that costs maybe 7 or 8 thousand INR here. They are selling mridangams for EUR320. A grade-A made-to-order mridangam here is 4 or 5 thousand IND. In London it would be GBP175 or more. It weighs 10kilo, by the time it is shipped and taxes are paid the profit is not as good as it looks at first! On the occasions that I get to sell morsings in UK I charge around GBP5. They cost about GBP1.7 here. Others sell them for as much as GBP15! My customers are happy --- especially as I select and tune them carefuly. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Feb 26th, 2006, 00:19	#3
rhytha Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 72	morsings in UK, wow did'nt know that morsings where in demand there. __________________ Indian History, Politics, News, Strategic Security, Hinduism.

Feb 26th, 2006, 12:04	#7
Paagla Dashu Unreasonably Unreasonable Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Where They Wear Clogs Posts: 1,222	I thought you played some kind of south indian purcussion instrument? Last edited by Paagla Dashu : Feb 26th, 2006 at 19:29.

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Feb 26th, 2006, 00:36	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,420	Oh yes! Did you know that London has more arangetrams than any other city outside India? Carnatic music and dance are very much alive there, with quite a number of resident musicians/teachers.

Feb 26th, 2006, 08:15	#5
Paagla Dashu Unreasonably Unreasonable Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Where They Wear Clogs Posts: 1,222	Yes I do understand that the Ghatams are different and the cost of logistics etc etc. But, seriousness aside, just imagine the shock an Indian who does not know what Ghatam is - will get to see those prices!!! What are "morsings"? What instrument do you play then?

Feb 26th, 2006, 12:01	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,420	Here is my morsing web page Amazingly enough, I'm not the only one: Beebah (hope I didn't misspell that) is another Morsing (jews harp) player on IM!

Feb 26th, 2006, 13:08	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,420	Morsing = some kind of South Indian Percussion Instrument.

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