Top Music Instrument Dealers in India, their supply chain and the challenges they face.
Music Scene in India
Music is an important part of any film, be it short film, ad film or a full-featured film.
Contrary to what many feel, the music scene is thriving in India, though it is limited to select cities across India.
The various film industries also provide good opportunities for music-related endeavors.
Covid-19 Impact on Sale of Music Instruments
Covid-19 has impacted several industries in India, including the instrument manufacturers and dealers.
While there is a decent demand from learners as people are trying to make the best use of their lockdown time, professional demand for musical instruments has gone down drastically.
Production of films are on hold, concerts are not happening; this has impacted the sale of professional instruments and bulk deals are not happening at all.
Piano Store & Dealers in India
Piano Store, Dealers in India for Yamaha, Kawai, Roland & other Piano brands…
Want to buy a music keyboard, synthesizer, or a digital piano (Yamaha, Roland, Kawai) in India, these are the piano stores/dealers you should check out.
The most popular one in Mumbai is Furtados musical instruments in South Bombay, just opposite Metro Cinema. They now have several branches all over India. That is one of the biggest and the oldest piano shops in India. You will get acoustic as well as digital pianos of all major brands, besides other Indian musical instruments.
There is Shalu Instruments near CST station in Mumbai, next to McDonalds. It is not as big as Furtados but they have been there for a very long time and can arrange for all brands of digital pianos and other music instruments.
I think Furtados is till the more reputed one in Mumbai if you’re looking for pianos; i don’t think they have much of a presence in Delhi, You can also check out the Kawai Piano shop in Juhu.
GST Impact on Musical instruments in India
Music artisans and Music store owners say the number of customers have dipped significantly after the Indian government imposed 28 percent GST (Goods and Service Tax) on musical instruments, making them costlier. Musicians and store owners are also not sure if the new tax rate will apply to all kinds of musical instruments or only certain categories.
- Musical instruments in several states were earlier taxed at 14.5 per cent; lot of Indian-made instruments were earlier taxed at 5.5 per cent
- Certain musical instruments in Bengal were earlier exempted from value added tax, and the remaining instruments were taxed at 14.5%.
- Under GST, handcrafted indigenous musical instruments are exempt from tax. But guitars and violins, even if made in India, are categorised under western instruments and taxed more, thus creating confusion.
- In states like Bengal, lakhs of students, teachers, music schools, workers are associated (directly or indirectly) with the music industry.
But has the new GST really impacted the sales of musical instruments?
Yes, say a few music store owners; the new tax rate has affected entry-level products for budding musicians and new learners.
- “We have been compelled to hike the price of our products. There is a steep decrease in production and selling of instruments. Customers are not willing to buy instruments at a higher cost. If this continues, we will have to shut shop,” secretary of West Bengal Musical Instruments Dealers and Manufacturers Association, Ajit Kumar Mondal.
- “A hike of Rs 300-500 in fast-moving instruments like guitars and keyboards has led to a drop in sales definitely. As the margins have become very small for retailers, it’s becoming difficult to offer any discounts to customers,” said Jason Prasanna Raj, manager at Traegen Systems that runs a franchise for Yamaha Music Store in HBR Layout.
- People are buying spare parts, and even musical instruments from abroad because its cheaper abroad than in India, says one musician.
- “As soon as one sees a 28 per cent tax, it becomes a deterrent. Music is a way of life and has helped me make a living. But I struggle to afford a good guitar, a mike or an amplifier. Now it’s become even more difficult. This (28 per cent GST) actually makes businesses lose money,” says Beatboxer and singer Vineeth Vincent.
Scenario in Bengal
Bengal, an important cultural hub in India, has over 3000 small, big and medium musical instruments manufacturing units that employs around 5 lakh people.
Most top classical Indian musicians — be it Pundit Ravi Shankar or Amjad Ali Khan, have walked through the narrow lanes of north and central Kolkata, looking for an instrument of their choice — guitars, violins, sitars, tablas, and more instruments.
Many of these units, however, are now on the verge of closure.
“Earlier, we had 25 workers. Now only 15 are left as 10 of them were asked to leave. The government should consider our plea and we are hopeful that Bengal government will come forward to rescue us from this crisis,” Sujan Bhowmik, violin luthier and worker at Dhulagarh string instruments unit.
“The industry will find it difficult to survive under 28% GST. We will have to reduce our workforce and also perhaps compromise with the quality of instruments,” says a music store owner.
Also Read: Successful Music Cities Where Music Drives the Economy & Boosts Tourism
Music needs to be encouraged
Musicians say music should be encouraged by treating it as an educational endeavor; by applying a tax of 28 per cent on instruments, pursuing music will be considered a luxury.
However, some Tax consultants say that these are initial teething problems, and the prices will normalise and maybe even drop after a few months, once there’s more clarity on the new tax rules.
“With GST coming in, businesses will have to change their filing process. And once new imports begin, prices will be regularised due to the reduced import duties,” says a GST practitioner.
Best Music Instrument Dealers in India
Looking to hire musical instruments or want to buy for personal use, talk to these Music Instrument Dealers.Indian Music Merchants Association (IMMA)
6C/5, Sangeeta Apartment , Ground Floor, Juhu Road, 400049 Mumbai, India
http://www.imma.in
Furtados
FURTADOS MUSIC INDIA PVT LTD, 201, Town Centre II, Andheri – Kurla Road, Marol,Andheri (East),Mumbai – 400 059,INDIA
Tel: 91 (022) 42875050 / 42875060, www.furtadosonline.com
Raj Musicals
2188/6 Main Patel Road, West Patel Nagar,Opp. Metro Rail Pillar No. 224, New Delhi-110008, INDIA
Phone No. (Showroom):09540999000 / 011-65492392, http://rajmusicals.in
Musicians Classifieds, India
Keyboardist, Piano Teachers in Mumbai by: Suhas – Hello, I’m a keyboardist from Mumbai (Andheri). If you are still in need of the keyboardist, you can contact me at my no 9594999383. A friend of mine Mr. Suhas is a Piano and Violin teacher. Pl give me a call on 9324800569
Need experienced piano keyboard player or teacher in Mumbai (India) at Bandra/ Goregaon (east) by Payel – Need a well qualified piano keyboard player or teacher to take classes in Mumbai at Bandra/ Goregaon (East). You can take the classes either in a classroom or private at my home. Please contact Payel @ 9220588255
Pianist, Music Composer & Keybordist by: SD – This is SD. I am Well known as SD (Pianist) in Entertainment Industries. SD Pianist is really brilliant Pianist in presenting my solo recital that includes popular music of various festive generous, western classics, Strauss waltzes, Melodious Hollywood tunes interplay with iconic classical and Latin ones.
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Keyboard Player & Music Teacher Available (Chennai, India) by S.Renganayaki – I am S.Renganayaki and I am a keyboard player. I am also working in CTS Chennai. I am playing keyboard for past 7 years. I have played in stage shows. Please provide me information for both, classes as well as stage shows / programs. I will be available only on weekends. Please let me know if there is any opportunity in Chennai (India) for keyboard player.
Live Musicians & Keyboard Player Required for Indian Premier League IPL T20
Live keyboard player required to be part of a band for IPL (Indian Premier League) on SET MAX in Mumbai.
User Comments…
Live Music keyboard player by: Rohan
I have a Yamaha Motif keyboard and my own set of amps. I would love to take up this opportunity. I have experience playing in a band and can play either as a solo keyboard player or as part of a band. What’s the process to apply for this audition?
Live Piano Keyboard player by: Leon
I have been watching IPL on Sony Set Max for the last few days and after seeing this advt. just realized there’s already a keyboard player in the band that plays on the sets. I guess this opening is closed? Or are you guys still looking for more piano/keyboard players? In any case, I am also a keyboard player and play quite well, have taken piano lessons in school, and do a lot of recording/arranging work. I have a Korg M-50 workstation music keyboard.
Piano Player and Music Keyboard Player by: Abhay
I am Abhay and I would like to appear for an audition if there is one still happening for Piano Player, Music Keyboard Player. I have learnt and played the piano and keyboards for several years. I have passed Grade 6 Piano practical’s as well as theory exams of Trinity College. I play keyboards in a band for my college. I have my own Yamaha PSR s710 arranger workstation keyboard, which I can get for the show if required.
Playing Piano Keyboard Player for several years by: Manas
Hi, I am Manas and I have been playing digital pianos and keyboards at the professional level for the last 4 years. I have learnt the piano for more than 5 years when I was in school. What are the criteria for selection here? I assume the audition will happen in Mumbai, but any idea exactly where?
Piano player, plus guitar n mouth organ player by: vinav
Hi, Myself vinav agarwal, age 19 years interested in playing music keyboard…. played keyboard since 8 years… played in many functions from school side.. thanx cell no. 09350825250
