Buying a Sitar

JMurray · Oct 3rd, 2005, 11:38

Does anyone here play the sitar? Can you recommend a music shop in Delhi that sells them or other traditional instruments? What does a sitar they normally cost? Do they come in a hard case for shipping?

Jim

shanthi · Oct 3rd, 2005, 12:51

Hello - no idea about where to buy Sitar's in Delhi, but thought I'd give you the little information I know. In Dharmapuri, TN, we have a vendor that makes them in his house, coming from a family of "players". He sits outside in a backstreet and it seems like this is a 24 hour a day job, as he is always there. He doesn't sell them with a case at all - you would have to buy that separately(this might also be the same for shop purchase anywhere - i.e. when you buy a guitar in Ireland it doesn't come with a case - guess that's pretty run-of-the-mill-everywhere?). The sound from the finished article is amazing and beautiful - the Sitar's he makes are works of art!. The prices he charges are about the $30 mark (and I believe the price was upped because of who was asking )- but what a price for the magnificent finished article! I was just thinking that even if someone lets you know of a Store where you might buy one, it might be worthwhile asking if there is perhaps a local person who might be "manufacturing" them. I've often thought about buying one as I've played guitar for 35 years, but never quite got around to it

Indojingai · Oct 3rd, 2005, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMurray

Does anyone here play the sitar? Can you recommend a music shop in Delhi that sells them or other traditional instruments? What does a sitar they normally cost? Do they come in a hard case for shipping?

Jim

JMurray:
[Where to buy]
I do not know a Sitar shop in Delhi, but my gut (Delhi gut, that is quiet flat though) says chances are higher of it be found in Old Delhi. Names of Chandni Chowk and Ajmeri Gate come to my mind/gut.
If you will take an Indian guy with you, the price you pay for that Sitar could be lesser than if you were to go there by yourself.
[Cost]
Anywhere between 100$ to 300$.
[Casing]
They dont generally have a casing, but you can get one made. Enquire directly with the shopkeeper.

BTW: Do you want to bring it here in Japan? Do you also play the Shamisen?
Where in Yokohama are you at? Oopss.. sorry for too many questions but I (will, until shortly) live in Yokohama as well, close to that Landmark Tower place.

Gambatte!

andygoodyear · Oct 3rd, 2005, 16:41

Shanti where is Dharmapuri

I want one! How much would it cost to a) get a case and b) ship it to the UK

peter_edward · Oct 3rd, 2005, 17:44

http://www.anandfoundation.com/musshops.asp

Nick-H · Oct 3rd, 2005, 19:13

Do try to get advice from a musician before buying...

Maz 1979 · Oct 3rd, 2005, 20:53

My friend bought one from Ricky Ram's (i think) on the outer circle at Connought place. Only problem he found after dragging it half way round the world was that he had no idea how to play it or how to tune it. After busting his spare set of strings trying to do this he had to give up until i was able to buy him more on my trip out there......... btw, he still doesn't know how to tune it or play it but it does look good!!!

ChrisJ · Oct 3rd, 2005, 22:06

I have been to Rikhi Ram several times looking at tabla.

Its right next to the Marina Hotel on the outer circle of Connaught Place, so easy to find.

The were very helpfull last time I popped in to see them. (I wonder if they still have the photos of George Harrison and Ravi Shankar on the wall? I guess it's a good sign if they shopped there too!)

http://www.rikhiram.com/

I guess there are loads of places to look - but at least it's a start!

Chrisj

*edit* yes they still have the photos of the Beatles/Mr Shankar etc. See link on their site

shanthi · Oct 4th, 2005, 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by andygoodyear

Shanti where is Dharmapuri

I want one! How much would it cost to a) get a case and b) ship it to the UK

Hey andygoodyear! Dharmapuri is in TN. Last year the old fella was selling the homemade AND extremley beautiful Sitar's for about $30 - he doesn't have any cases, or make them, I don't believe. It was magical just to stand and watch himj for an hour or so - as I did every now and then. If you can wait until I return (not staying in Dharmapuri this time, only checking in on the refuge for a couple of days) in November - I'll take a look at his place again and see whats happening. If you can find out where to get a case, then it might be possible for me to get it shipped for you. An order would have to be put in (he only makes to order of course!). I can take a photo of the instruments he's made and post it here, but you will have to be a teensy bit patient.

JMurray · Oct 4th, 2005, 01:46

This is great! Thanks everyone for all the useful information.
Looks like there's all kinds of music shops around town according to Peter Edwards link. I better plan for a few extra days in Delhi.

That Rikhi Ram's website got me all excited. And the sitars do have hard cases. I can probably even take it on the plane. Thanks ChrisJ and Maz.

Indojingai, yoroskiku onegaishimasu! I've been in Japan four years now. I live up near Tsunashima (Toyoko line) and I can see Landmark Tower from my balcony. I do actually have a shamisen. Whether I can play it or not is a matter of opinion. I play jazz bass and other stringed things. What are you doing in Japan?

Jim

sahib · Oct 4th, 2005, 04:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMurray

Does anyone here play the sitar? Can you recommend a music shop in Delhi that sells them or other traditional instruments? What does a sitar they normally cost? Do they come in a hard case for shipping?

Jim

Hi Jim

Lots of places in Delhi to buy a sitar but generally the best ones are made in Calcutta - Hiren Roy and Hemen - Rashbihari Street --- but back to Delhi - someone mentioned Rikhi Ram (Connaught circle - beside Marina Hotel) - he is very reputable and today even Shujaat Khan (son of Vilayat) is play a Rikhi Ram among many other good musicians.

The only way to get a really good instrument is to put down a deposit with a good maker - come back every few weeks and have a cup of tea for 2 or 3 YEARS and eventually you get an excellent instrument. : > ) Truth

But it is possible to by an "off-the-rack" sitar that is playable at least. Expect to pay several hundered dollars if you really want to learn to play it - if it's just for looks you can pay a lot less. Rikhi Ram is reputable, as I said, and will give you what you pay for.

The sitar is a very fragile instrument and you MUST have a very sturdy hard shell case made to fit it if you plan to transport it anywhere - especially as luggage on a plane. I bought my first sitar from BINA in Old Delhi in 1965 for about $10 without a case and someone here is still playing it - but in those days they let you carry it on the plane to get it home - not any more.

I played various sitars for 10 or 12 years and then switched to vocal and eventually to Sarangi - but if you have any tech questions about sitar or music I could help
Eric

Nick-H · Oct 4th, 2005, 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by sahib

... ... ... I played various sitars for 10 or 12 years and then switched to vocal and eventually to Sarangi - but if you have any tech questions about sitar or music I could help
Eric

A Sarangi player on IM: Amazing! I wouldn't think there can be many Western Sarangi artists? You obviously take your music seriously!

sahib · Oct 5th, 2005, 02:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

A Sarangi player on IM: Amazing! I wouldn't think there can be many Western Sarangi artists? You obviously take your music seriously!

Hey Nick
Ahh - someone who actually knows what a sarangi is - in my pic under my name I'm holding the shell of one I was making a year or so back - finished it and it sounds quite good - if different than the old one I copied. Likely the first one made in North america (I know of 2 built in europe). I built it as there are almost no makers left in India and I wanted to make a copy of the beautiful ancient one I got from Ram Narayan in Bombay.
blah, blah, blah
eric

Nick-H · Oct 5th, 2005, 02:55

Sarangi has a wonderful sound, I can never understand why the South didn't adopt it, at least alongside if not instead of the violin.

Congrats on making your own!

wonderwomanusa · Oct 6th, 2005, 07:57

>>Sarangi has a wonderful sound, I can never understand why the South didn't adopt it, at least alongside if not instead of the violin.<<

Professor C.V.Jog

Oct 3rd, 2005, 11:38	#1
JMurray Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 55	Buying a Sitar Does anyone here play the sitar? Can you recommend a music shop in Delhi that sells them or other traditional instruments? What does a sitar they normally cost? Do they come in a hard case for shipping? Jim

Oct 3rd, 2005, 19:13	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,863	Do try to get advice from a musician before buying... __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Oct 3rd, 2005, 20:53	#7
Maz 1979 Monkey Bait Join Date: May 2004 Location: London Posts: 151	My friend bought one from Ricky Ram's (i think) on the outer circle at Connought place. Only problem he found after dragging it half way round the world was that he had no idea how to play it or how to tune it. After busting his spare set of strings trying to do this he had to give up until i was able to buy him more on my trip out there......... btw, he still doesn't know how to tune it or play it but it does look good!!! __________________ India

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sitar player going to study in Calcutta!!	Raag	Introduce Yourself	17	Sep 1st, 2005 20:16
buying property in goa	kev	Goa	22	Aug 18th, 2005 21:49
bringing back a sitar	highvelocity	Chai and Chat	3	May 9th, 2005 00:17
Buying a Moped in Goa	SteveM	Goa	12	Apr 21st, 2005 10:41
Pics of my Sitar being built!	jay_m_222	Photography	4	May 28th, 2004 01:18

Oct 3rd, 2005, 12:51	#2
shanthi Account closed on user's request Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South India Posts: 785	Hello - no idea about where to buy Sitar's in Delhi, but thought I'd give you the little information I know. In Dharmapuri, TN, we have a vendor that makes them in his house, coming from a family of "players". He sits outside in a backstreet and it seems like this is a 24 hour a day job, as he is always there. He doesn't sell them with a case at all - you would have to buy that separately(this might also be the same for shop purchase anywhere - i.e. when you buy a guitar in Ireland it doesn't come with a case - guess that's pretty run-of-the-mill-everywhere?). The sound from the finished article is amazing and beautiful - the Sitar's he makes are works of art!. The prices he charges are about the $30 mark (and I believe the price was upped because of who was asking )- but what a price for the magnificent finished article! I was just thinking that even if someone lets you know of a Store where you might buy one, it might be worthwhile asking if there is perhaps a local person who might be "manufacturing" them. I've often thought about buying one as I've played guitar for 35 years, but never quite got around to it

Oct 3rd, 2005, 16:41	#4
andygoodyear Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 275	Shanti where is Dharmapuri I want one! How much would it cost to a) get a case and b) ship it to the UK

Oct 3rd, 2005, 17:44	#5
peter_edward Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: UK Posts: 23	http://www.anandfoundation.com/musshops.asp

Oct 3rd, 2005, 22:06	#8
ChrisJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: UK Posts: 184	I have been to Rikhi Ram several times looking at tabla. Its right next to the Marina Hotel on the outer circle of Connaught Place, so easy to find. The were very helpfull last time I popped in to see them. (I wonder if they still have the photos of George Harrison and Ravi Shankar on the wall? I guess it's a good sign if they shopped there too!) http://www.rikhiram.com/ I guess there are loads of places to look - but at least it's a start! Chrisj edit yes they still have the photos of the Beatles/Mr Shankar etc. See link on their site

Oct 4th, 2005, 01:46	#10
JMurray Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 55	This is great! Thanks everyone for all the useful information. Looks like there's all kinds of music shops around town according to Peter Edwards link. I better plan for a few extra days in Delhi. That Rikhi Ram's website got me all excited. And the sitars do have hard cases. I can probably even take it on the plane. Thanks ChrisJ and Maz. Indojingai, yoroskiku onegaishimasu! I've been in Japan four years now. I live up near Tsunashima (Toyoko line) and I can see Landmark Tower from my balcony. I do actually have a shamisen. Whether I can play it or not is a matter of opinion. I play jazz bass and other stringed things. What are you doing in Japan? Jim

Oct 5th, 2005, 02:55	#14
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,863	Sarangi has a wonderful sound, I can never understand why the South didn't adopt it, at least alongside if not instead of the violin. Congrats on making your own!

Oct 6th, 2005, 07:57	#15
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,512	>>Sarangi has a wonderful sound, I can never understand why the South didn't adopt it, at least alongside if not instead of the violin.<< Professor C.V.Jog

User Name		Remember Me?
Password