Miraj: Inside the musical city of India
Image credit: BBC
A renowned centre of classical music for more than 150 years is Miraj, a small city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra.
Miraj, which is 400 km (248.5 miles) west of Mumbai, was once a part of the former princely state of Patwardhan and is the hometown of some well-known classical musicians.
Additionally, it is the country’s centre for string instruments.
Every area of the nation uses instruments created in Miraj, particularly the tanpura, the sitar, the sarangi, and the veena.
The renowned artisans of this mediaeval city create musical instruments specifically for many of India’s top musicians.
Over 300 artisans from 50 Shikalgar families, who have operated in the industry for more than seven generations, work in the sector.
Their intriguing tale began in the 18th century.
Under the Maratha Empire’s control, a group of metalworkers known as the Shikalgars specialised in producing swords and other military hardware.
According to Mansingh Kumthekar, a local historian, “but in 1818, after the fall of the Maratha Empire and the introduction of modern weaponry by the British, the Shikalgar community began drifting away from their traditional vocation due to a declining market.”
In the years that followed, the city’s cultural heritage witnessed additional development.
During his reign, Shrimant Balasaheb Patwardhan II, the king of Miraj, invited a number of musicians from all across the subcontinent to play.
But according to Mr. Kumthekar, no one was available to fix the musicians’ instruments that they had brought.
In order to get assistance, the king turned to the Shikalgar people.
Faridsaheb and Moeuddin, two brothers, were asked whether they could assist with the repairs.
The brothers—who were also ardent music lovers—learned their trade so adeptly that they earned the moniker “sitar makers,” according to Mr. Kumthekar.
Soon, additional Shikalgar families began working for the company, spawning a thriving sector.
However, the century-old musical tradition of Miraj is currently in danger of dying out.
Only a small number of the thousands of people employed by the industry remain.
According to artisans, the introduction of electronic instruments and music apps has made it difficult to maintain the craft and resulted in a loss of their livelihoods.
Some people have switched to new technology, but some people are opposed to the idea and want to keep doing things the way they always have. They claim that they are anxious about the future.
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