Whether you’re a seasoned musician or an aspiring one, you can’t help but attach sentiment to your musical instruments. It’s so much more than just a device, which is why it’s important to buy them from someone who loves music as much as you do and who knows all the ins and outs of the product in which you’re investing. Here’s a guide to the best music stores in Delhi that fulfil both of these criteria. Even The Beatles’ George Harrison has put his stamp of approval on one of these shops.
Rikhi Ram Musical Co.
Store
Pandit Rikhi Ram first established Rikhi Ram Musical Co. in Lahore, Pakistan, about 85 years ago. The shop moved to Connaught Place in 1947, and it’s where George Harrison bought a sitar during The Beatles’ one-day layover in Delhi back in 1966. Not only that, but the store has also catered to the sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar and crafted a made-to-order sitar used in the 1968 film The Party, starring Peter Sellers. Needless to say, if you’re looking to invest in an Indian classical music instrument, there’s no better place than Rikhi Ram.
Hans Raj, who learned the ropes in his uncle Pandit Rikhi Ram’s Lahore workshop, established Raj Musicals. The store is over six decades old, so the family who runs it are experts when it comes to the subject of music. Raj Musicals houses a number of well-known brands, and they also have an in-house studio where they craft Indian musical instruments, including harmoniums, sitars, tablas, sarods and tanpuras.
Furtados is a trusted brand with stores across all major Indian cities. In Delhi, they have two outlets: one in DLF Place Mall in Saket and the second in Lajpat Nagar. Very few music stores offer the range of musical instruments that Furtados does. Apart from standard instruments, the stores also have musical equipment and accessories, such as portable recording devices, sound mixers, pad quad, studio monitors and more.
Delhi Sound Store is a contemporary music shop that sells products such as microphones, amplifiers, studio monitor speakers, loudspeakers and sound mixers. The professional recording devices at Delhi Sound Store are diverse and top-notch. But like any good music store, the shop also gives ample space to Indian classical musical instruments. Delhi Sound Store is the retail venture of Ebony And Ivory Studios, which is one of Delhi’s leading recording studios.
Located in the bustling by-lanes of Chandni Chowk, New Gramophone House is a treasure trove of vintage vinyl records. Past and present Bollywood films, Frank Sinatra, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Iron Maiden, AC/DC – you name an album, and the shop has it. A true music lover will enjoy spending time in the store, exploring some rare LP records and having long conversations with the friendly owner. They also sell gramophones if you’re interested.
7th Chord is a well-known musical instrument store in Delhi. They also provide excellent post-sales services, including round-the-clock emergency assistance, which ensures customers keep coming back to their shop. Their repair and maintenance unit is one of the best in the city. 7th Chord also provides guitar painting services, in case you want to change the look of your instrument.
Bina Musical Store has been in business for more than 50 years. While they’ve expanded their store over time to include a wide range of musical instruments, what they’re most famous for is their handmade Indian harmonium; they pay meticulous attention to every detail, from choosing the best wood to the final packaging. For anyone who wants to invest in a harmonium, Bina Musical Store is the go-to place.
One of the oldest musical stores in Delhi, Hare Krishna Musical Instruments was inaugurated in 1880. They initially started out by making harmoniums, sitars and tanpuras. Gradually honing their skills, Hare Krishna expanded to include an array of Western musical instruments. The store lists quite a few luminaries among their clientele, including classical singers Pandit Channu Lal Mishra and Pandit Omkarnath Thakur.
Spread over three floors, Bhargava’s Music set up shop in 1938 and has continued to grow mostly because of their willingness to adapt to changing times and cater to contemporary customers’ needs. Their store is a musician’s dream and easy to get lost in for hours. Bhargava’s has been providing sponsorship to various colleges for their annual music fest on a regular basis, which is a really commendable gesture.
