Amidst the lush greenery of Uluberia, nestled in the heart of Howrah District, West Bengal, rests the enchanting village of Dadpur. Steeped in history and tradition, serene ponds and winding lanes, this picturesque village, accentuated by the idyllic surroundings, has long been cherished as a sanctuary of musical craftsmanship and is famed for its exquisite Sitar, Veena, Rubab, and Tanpura.
In 2024, the youthful artisans of Dadpur embarked on a poetic odyssey, driven by a deep passion and reverence, to rekindle the forgotten string melodies of the Sitar and Tanpura. They breathed new life into these ancient instruments, their dedication ensuring their hauntingly beautiful tones continue reverberating through the ages.
The instruments crafted in Dadpur have journeyed far and wide, resonating across the country and beyond. Many villagers, leaving behind their former professions, have devoted themselves to instrument making.
In Dadpur, the art of crafting Indian musical instruments has become the heartbeat of the community, with most residents earning their livelihood through this craft. As a result, the village has blossomed into a significant exporter of instruments and their various components. Over the past few decades, this once-remote village has nurtured its unique model of home-grown music industry, infusing new vitality into its cultural heritage. The artisans’ work not only preserves the traditional craft but also sustains the local economy, making Dadpur a beacon of cultural and economic revival.
Thatched roofs crafted from bamboo straws and sticks, narrow winding pathways, and expansive stretches of fallow or irrigated land are familiar scenes in rural West Bengal. Yet, what separates Dadpur is the enduring legacy of Tarapada Halder, a name now inextricably linked with the Sitar. Over five decades ago, Tarapada brought the art of crafting this exquisite stringed instrument to the local youth, offering them a life beyond the meager earnings of making tiles for a mere Rs. 2 per day.
For many villagers, who are marginal farmers or sharecroppers struggling to secure even two square meals a day, the prospect of learning music seems like a distant dream. Yet, as one meanders through the brick-laden lanes of Dadpur and Dhulasimla, the air is alive with the melodious strains of Sitars, Sarods, Dilrubas, and Tanpura. These villages are home to some of the finest artisans crafting stringed musical instruments, supplying the epicenters of classical music in cities like Lucknow, Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi, Pune, and Patna.
A native of Dadpur, Tarapada kindled a flourishing trade in Sitar making. This journey began in the mid-20th century when the music industry underwent a significant transformation. There were hardly any shops to purchase such instruments, and none boasted individual manufacturing units. The business landscape was limited to buying and selling based on market demand. Yet, through his vision and dedication, Tarapada transformed Dadpur into a beacon of musical craftsmanship, laying the foundation for a thriving industry that continues to resonate through the ages.
Tarapada ventured to Lucknow, where he immersed himself in the intricate world of musical instrument craftsmanship, grasping the basics with keen insight and unwavering determination. Mastering the trade, he returned to Dadpur, eager to transform his newfound knowledge into practice.
Tarapada began by crafting instruments himself, but his vision soon extended to the youth of Dadpur. He taught them the delicate art of creating musical instruments, and under his guidance, his students flourished. Their finely crafted instruments soon found their way to Banaras and Lucknow as the young artisans became adept at producing a variety of exquisite stringed instruments.
Over time, Dadpur evolved into a haven for musicians. Today, the village boasts over 20 factories and a community of skilled craftsmen exporting their finely crafted instruments to major markets in India and across the globe.
Tarapada’s journey began humbly, working at a tea stall in Kolkata’s Girish Park. A fortuitous meeting with the owner of Radha Krishna Sharma & Co. led to a job as a daily wage laborer at a Sitar shop, where he first acquired basic Sitar-making skills. Recognizing his talent, his employers sent him to Lucknow, where he honed his craft over nine years in Nawabs.
Upon returning to Dadpur, Tarapada devoted himself to training others in crafting string instruments, reminisces Shyamal Halder, Tarapada’s elder son.
Through his perseverance and passion, Tarapada revived a dying craft and planted the seeds for a flourishing industry, turning Dadpur into a paradise for musicians and artisans alike.
Shyamal, alongside nine dedicated workers, crafts up to 35-40 exquisite instruments every month, including travel Sitars with flat sound boxes ideal for ease of transport, Tanpuras, and Sitars. These masterpieces find their way to retail outlets in Varanasi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, fetching prices between Rs 9,000 and Rs 14,000 for Sitars, Rs 9,000 for Tanpuras, and Rs 10,000 to Rs 14,000 for travel Sitars.
It has been 21 years since Tarapada passed away, and Dadpur now thrives with around 75 families and numerous independent artisans who earn their livelihood by making string instruments. This flourishing community starkly contrasts the Dadpur of the 1950s and 60s, where daily laborers toiled under harsh conditions, enduring extreme heat, humidity, fumes, and dust to produce Mangalorean tiles.
Creating a Sitar is a complex and delicate art, a symphony of craftsmanship. The process begins with carefully cutting wood into long panels, each measuring 35 inches in length and 3 inches in width. The gourd, the instrument’s heart, is halved with care to preserve the round neck opening. These wooden panels are then meticulously joined to the gourd using glue and screws, with a wooden patch affixed where the panels meet the gourd’s neck. The hollow structure is reinforced with thin bamboo splinters crisscrossed inside the gourd to ensure sturdiness and resonance. This intricate lattice creates a sturdy frame that sings with vibrant, resonant tones.
“The late Tarapada ji, fondly known as ‘Tara babu,’ is the visionary behind transforming the small village of Dadpur into one of India’s premier Sitar manufacturing hubs. Tarapada Halder from West Bengal’s Dadpur village taught Sitar manufacturing to 1,000 craftsmen, many of whom have started their businesses”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Mann Ki Baat address on December 19, 2020
The Sitar transforms into a wooden case where two elongated panels converge over the hollow gourd. Artisans then carve intricate designs onto the gourd’s covering and round surface, such as Golap Pata (rose leaves) or Angur Pata (grape leaves). The Sitar is meticulously scrubbed, polished, and painted. Once the varnish dries, it is sent to retailers or wholesalers, where experts attach and fine-tune the strings.
String instruments hold a revered place in Indian music and are deeply woven into its cultural and historical tapestry. Crafted from teak or toon wood and enhanced with pumpkin gourds, Sitars are now predominantly made using toon wood. There are two main types of Sitars—‘sada’ and ‘Tarafdar’. Despite the strong market for these instruments, a labor shortage has sadly led to the closure of many factories.
INDIA MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS MARKET SIZE
Mordor Intelligence’s market survey reveals a promising horizon for the Indian musical instruments market, brimming with potential for significant profit. It is projected to surge from USD 146.86 million in 2024 to an impressive USD 253.40 million by 2029, boasting a CAGR of 11.5 percent. The growing allure of live musical performances and concerts is a significant driver behind this expansion, as audiences increasingly seek live music’s vibrant, communal experience over pre-recorded or televised offerings.
The upsurge of social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, combined with advancements in audio technology, has significantly bolstered the popularity of live concerts. This surge in interest is also propelled by exposure to Western music genres and global trends, inspiring many to embrace the joy of learning and playing instruments such as guitars, keyboards, and drums.
The Indian musical instruments market is a vibrant tapestry, home to industry leaders like Yamaha Corporation, Kawai Musical Instruments Mfg Co. Ltd, Roland Corporation, Cor-Tek Corporation, and Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. These companies are not just investing but leading the way in strategic partnerships and innovative product developments to secure a larger share of this burgeoning market, sparking a wave of innovation in the industry.
In this dynamic and ever-evolving market, the symphony of growth is composed of passion, innovation, and the timeless human desire to create and share music. The future of Indian musical instruments promises a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, resonating with the melodies of a bright, musical tomorrow.
On December 19, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his Mann Ki Baat address, remarked, “The late Tarapada ji, fondly known as ‘Tara babu,’ is the visionary behind transforming the small village of Dadpur into one of India’s premier Sitar manufacturing hubs. Tarapada Halder from West Bengal’s Dadpur village taught Sitar manufacturing to 1,000 craftsmen, many of whom have started their businesses.”
With nimble fingers and boundless enthusiasm, these youthful craftsmen breathe new life into an age-old tradition. They are not merely creating instruments but weaving narratives, preserving cherished memories, and igniting a revival of cultural pride. In their hands, the Sitar and Tanpura transcend relics of the past, becoming vibrant expressions of living heritage.
Dadpur’s legacy as a center of musical craftsmanship is a profound testament to the village’s deep connection to its cultural roots. Creating a Sitar or Tanpura is an intricate art that demands technical skill and a profound understanding of the instrument’s soul. From selecting the finest materials to meticulously carving and assembling each component, every step is a labor of love.
What distinguishes the revival efforts in Dadpur is the artisans’ deep emotional bond with their work. Each Sitar and Tanpura they fashion is a testament to their love for music and unwavering dedication to preserving their heritage. Their craft’s emotional resonance shines through in how they speak about their work, with a palpable reverence and pride.
As the revival movement in Dadpur gains momentum, the future looks promising. The young artisans, supported by their community and empowered by technology, are well on their way to restoring the glory of the Sitar and Tanpura. However, the journey is far from over. Continuous effort, dedication, and support are needed to sustain this revival.
In the gentle strumming of a Sitar and the soothing hum of a Tanpura, one can hear the heartbeat of Dadpur. Once teetering on the brink of losing its musical heritage, this village has blossomed into a vibrant center of revival, thanks to the unwavering spirit of its youthful artisans. Their dedication has rekindled the ancient string melodies, transforming Dadpur into a beacon of hope and inspiration.
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the verdant fields of Uluberia, the air fills with the melodious strains of Sitars and Tanpuras, resonating throughout the village and beyond. These lovingly and meticulously crafted harmonies stand as a testament to the resilience and passion of Dadpur’s youth. They have shown that with unwavering determination, boundless creativity, and a profound connection to their roots, even the most delicate ancient string melodies will continue to enthrall and inspire future generations.
