This Family Has Made Pumpkin Instruments For About 200 Years. Now Electric Ones Threaten Their Craft

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  • Опубліковано 17 лис 2022
  • The Sitarmakers of Miraj in India have been crafting musical instruments out of pumpkins for almost 200 years. They are known for making the tanpura, a string instrument used by classical singers to find the perfect tone.
    The family gained a reputation for high-quality handmade instruments over seven generations. But now, cheaper electronic ones are threatening their business.
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    This Family Has Made Pumpkin Instruments For About 200 Years. Now Electric Ones Threaten Their Craft | Business Insider

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,1 тис.

  • @abhisheksoni2980
    @abhisheksoni2980 Рік тому +1503

    Fun fact: every indian handicraft costs peanuts considering how much hardwork goes into it. This same tanpura would cost a kidney and a testicle if Japanese were making it.

    • @elguapodelmonte215
      @elguapodelmonte215 Рік тому

      No, it actually cost Farrouk two testicles to work the PUMPKINS, as that PONZI CULTURE loves EUNUCHS

    • @d1p70
      @d1p70 Рік тому +241

      the japanese do infact make these and sell them in restaurants. they call them tempura!

    • @abhisheksoni2980
      @abhisheksoni2980 Рік тому +42

      @@d1p70 lol.. you got me for a while

    • @-rate6326
      @-rate6326 Рік тому +11

      It's because of PPP.

    • @gaswhole
      @gaswhole Рік тому +5

      @@d1p70 very smooth...hahaha

  • @stephenwhinnie1572
    @stephenwhinnie1572 Рік тому +2661

    The idea that they put that much work into it and only get 400 dollars for a “fully decorated” one is mind blowing. Each one is a work of art.

    • @jrzreg2154
      @jrzreg2154 Рік тому +62

      to pay ALL the employees with 8 tanpuras...

    • @prakharranjan6388
      @prakharranjan6388 Рік тому +166

      They sell in India. 400 dollars cannot be afforded by many. So it is a premium.

    • @MrShanester117
      @MrShanester117 Рік тому +162

      It’s hilarious to me that people still don’t know that 400 dollars in America isn’t the same as 400 dollars somewhere else. How much is milk? How much is rent? I mean come on

    • @user-kp2ov1gm4w
      @user-kp2ov1gm4w Рік тому +92

      If the same instrument is exported, it costs upto 6000 dollars

    • @t-.-t.
      @t-.-t. Рік тому +89

      @@prakharranjan6388 its still very low even for Indian standard. I expected it to cost atleast a lakh for that amount of work

  • @jayolovitt5969
    @jayolovitt5969 Рік тому +801

    It honestly never occurred to me that these were made of gourds. I always thought wood like a cello. It’s amazing how much beauty is added to this instrument.

  • @luckybarrel7829
    @luckybarrel7829 Рік тому +515

    Brought tears to my eyes. Don't lose your love for acoustic instruments people. Once the art is lost, we shall all be the worse for the lack of it...

    • @Nantosuelta
      @Nantosuelta 11 місяців тому +7

      One day I'm gunna teach myself how to make gourd instruments. It's something I've wanted to do since I was very young but never got around to.

    • @slartibartfast7921
      @slartibartfast7921 9 місяців тому +1

      Beautifully said

    • @marcelw1981
      @marcelw1981 9 місяців тому +5

      Dont worry the electrical sound like shit and will never replace the acoustic ones. Sitar is a very delicate instrument.

    • @shiningarmor2838
      @shiningarmor2838 8 місяців тому +1

      If electronic instruments were ever going to replace the real ones, they would have by now.

    • @luckybarrel7829
      @luckybarrel7829 8 місяців тому

      @@shiningarmor2838 Yo man looks like this specific one is under threat, did you even watch the vid?

  • @shreyasgarg864
    @shreyasgarg864 Рік тому +502

    being an Indian flute player i am amazed to have never known about Miraj
    tanpuras, sitars and veenas are literally the instruments of the gods with unmatched beauty
    Thank you for making such videos !!

    • @Man_fay_the_Bru
      @Man_fay_the_Bru Рік тому +1

      Take it you’ve never heard a harp

    • @jassimarsingh6505
      @jassimarsingh6505 Рік тому +15

      @@Man_fay_the_Bru I have, nice instrument, don’t prefer it above the mentions above though.

    • @midoriya1838
      @midoriya1838 Рік тому +9

      @@Man_fay_the_Bru he is talking about Hindu goddess

    • @Saagar_Sahu
      @Saagar_Sahu Рік тому +10

      @@Man_fay_the_Bru eveyone is heard of harp as americanization(globalization=) mAde them forgot native inntrument n get all unnecessary info about merica n europe

    • @Pihu523
      @Pihu523 Рік тому

      Sarangi too. But sitar was made by mughals inspired by Veena coz they were music lovers and not for devotional purposes, as peer I know.

  • @vikhyathbhat7981
    @vikhyathbhat7981 Рік тому +131

    I own a tanpura made in the same workshop, and let me assure you, it's worth the purchase. The tonal quality is unbeatable.

  • @viveksingh-ok6il
    @viveksingh-ok6il Рік тому +307

    I'm from India and I wasn't aware that miraj is known for their tanpura. Amazing work but only $400 USD is very low for so much human effort and precision that goes into it.

    • @sjaomsshiqkq
      @sjaomsshiqkq Рік тому +7

      Are you serious man? 400usd is about 33k in INR aur wo har saal 100-150 tanpura banate hai itani to logo ki average monthly salary bhi nahi hai

    • @viveksingh-ok6il
      @viveksingh-ok6il Рік тому +9

      @@sjaomsshiqkq 15 log ke aas paas ka kaam Hai 1 tanpure Mae 1 saal Mae 15 ke hisab se per person ko Kitna milega mahine ke hisab laga dekh itna human effort ke liye worth it Hai ya nhi. Yeh same cheez USA Mae 2000 USD se start hoti Hai.

    • @ElonHusky
      @ElonHusky Рік тому +14

      @@sjaomsshiqkq
      32K is low for a tampuru, An intermediate quality tampuru costs 50-70k in musical shops

    • @Kathakathan11
      @Kathakathan11 Рік тому

      Obviously it’s a common knowledge

    • @viveksingh-ok6il
      @viveksingh-ok6il Рік тому

      @@Kathakathan11 do you anything about kuttanad no right it's common for me coz I live in kerala, not everyone is aware of art and culture of a place. Thanks to platform like these where people get to know so much about there own country

  • @princess9528
    @princess9528 Рік тому +56

    I am from Miraj.
    These cities have always been famous in the field of musical instruments worldwide.
    These towns and their markets used to be crowded with music lovers, but things have changed rapidly. The youth are not interested in taking up the business of their descendants because of the low return and no profit at all. After lockdown, many sitarmakers have given up their businesses; many of them couldn't even afford to feed their families. It's sad to see their condition. Many popular singers worldwide use their instruments at a very cheap price and don't even bother giving them credit.
    I still remember the days when whenever I used to pass by the streets of sitarmakers, my ears were blessed by the melody of their instruments..

    • @RasiliSharan
      @RasiliSharan Рік тому +1

      Please share details of Tanpura makers as shown in above video, I'm planning to buy one Miraj tanpura

    • @princess9528
      @princess9528 Рік тому

      @@RasiliSharan also there are plenty of websites on Google

    • @chelseafisher6881
      @chelseafisher6881 2 місяці тому +1

      How much tacit knowledge will be lost that you can only learn from observing a skilled craftsman trained in a skill handed down through many generations. How much of this knowledge has already been lost around the world.

  • @idkplusmax3893
    @idkplusmax3893 Рік тому +212

    Being a classical(to specify, Hindustani/North Indian classical)singer and player myself I must say that indeed instruments are definitely 100% better than machine and phone apps, though admittedly they are much more practical 90% of the time.

    • @CATsissta
      @CATsissta Рік тому +14

      Art is never practical :) I am a classical violinist, I agree that authentic instruments are the best. electric instruments always sound so sad and lifeless..

    • @idkplusmax3893
      @idkplusmax3893 Рік тому +4

      @@CATsissta agreed, the sound quality and tone are always so deflated and the resonance is completely gone. Sadly, we don’t really have a choice lol

    • @pigslam
      @pigslam 3 місяці тому

      ​@@CATsissta i think when electronic instruments are not trying to emulate the sounds of other instruments they are very pretty. this should be their usage. not a pale imitation of the real thing

  • @RoxieMarquez_marroxeli
    @RoxieMarquez_marroxeli Рік тому +343

    these are works of art it seems almost criminal to sell them for $400. And when she was playing it I instantly felt more soothed and the sound was so beautiful. I think the actual instrument made from all natural products creates a deeper spiritual connection.

    • @dineshbugalia7297
      @dineshbugalia7297 Рік тому +3

      Absolutely with you

    • @currycel470
      @currycel470 Рік тому +26

      400$ looks cheap until you realise it's whole month salary of average indian.

    • @suhi6504
      @suhi6504 Рік тому +11

      The people who play this instrument mostly live in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan where 400$ is alot. It can be the monthly salary of a lower-middle class person in my country Bangladesh.

    • @cherrylle
      @cherrylle Рік тому

      $400 is very low considering the fact that they do not get enough orders and the materials take 1 year to be prepared before they can be worked on. Also he has 40+ years of experience. He should definitely charge extra for his skill.

    • @suhi6504
      @suhi6504 Рік тому +4

      @@cherrylle it may seem low according to western country standards. But if we consider the economy of south asia, the price is already very high. If they raise the price, most people won't be able to buy. If they choose to export it to developed countries, they could sell it for more than 400$ there. But $400 in indian currency is more than 20000 and in my country’s (Bangladesh) currency more than 32000 which is the average monthly salary of people here.
      Most people who play this instrument are from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Srilanka. All of these countries are not economically developed. This instrument is already very pricy. That's why, wehn we learn to sing, most of the time we play another instrument instead of this

  • @jusuferg9945
    @jusuferg9945 Рік тому +119

    Can we all just agree, Business Insider is killing it lately!

  • @luciddreaming9129
    @luciddreaming9129 Рік тому +80

    People would have to be crazy not to want these over the electronic ones. The time, effort, and craftsmanship that is placed into each one makes them so valuable in a personal way. The individuality of these instruments makes each one just as unique as the artist using them.

    • @adamedmour9704
      @adamedmour9704 Рік тому

      Yeah, but you need a whole second person to practice.

    • @sudarshan7111
      @sudarshan7111 Рік тому +6

      These are costly instruments for entry level Hindustani Classical music practitioners. Electronic ones somehow makes entry in this field easy and later on they move on to the real ones.

    • @donaldgrayson3817
      @donaldgrayson3817 11 місяців тому +3

      Far more people will get a chance to play an electric one than a handmade one. So which is better, to you, a small elite market that can afford a handmade instrument and has to spend years just learning to tune the thing or lots more people using easily affordable factory made ones ready to play?

    • @subratanandy2142
      @subratanandy2142 6 місяців тому

      I have learnt Hindustani classical music for a long time and people always prefer handmade, until only recently electronics are being used .

  • @Aussie_Truth
    @Aussie_Truth Рік тому +423

    They are the most beautiful instruments I've ever seen, and made with so much love.
    It's unfortunate that this entire family is being ripped off.
    I just googled these instruments, and similar ones, handmade are selling for over $2,800 American dollars.
    Considering this family takes weeks to make one, involving the entire extended family and is only getting around $400 per instrument, shows that someone, somewhere is making a lot of money off their hard work.
    Has anyone offered to show them how to make a website and sell their instruments on the internet directly.
    It's very distressing to continually see families being taken advantage of like this.
    The same thing goes on in Australia, with our Indigenous artists.
    I've met artists who get paid a couple of hundred dollars for an art work that took them weeks and then seeing their art for sale in an art gallery in a city for literary thousands of dollars.
    This is a horrible stain on so-called Western democracy that hasn't changed since colonisation, and to see this practice continue today is criminal.

    • @dahat1992
      @dahat1992 Рік тому +15

      I know if they sold direct, I'd be willing to pay $500 for one, not including shipping.

    • @unclejoeoakland
      @unclejoeoakland Рік тому +15

      Cool it cowboy. Leaving aside the fact that cost of living is lower in India and pakistan, I assure you that 400 bucks covers a decent entry model but not the real fancy ones- and they sell plenty of those.
      Moreover it may take a week or two on the calendar to make one of these things but that doesn't mean it takes 40-80 hours.
      You just need to make more friends with luthiers.

    • @unclejoeoakland
      @unclejoeoakland Рік тому +8

      PS they can't be that poor, the uncle could afford to make hajj after all.

    • @gnanasabaapatirg7376
      @gnanasabaapatirg7376 Рік тому

      @@unclejoeoakland government gives subsidies for hajj

    • @adamedmour9704
      @adamedmour9704 Рік тому +1

      Getting them over here in good working order is nontrivial. Moreover, delicate musical instruments aren't that self stable, and don't necessarily store well without maintenance, especially if string tension is holding the set up together. As well, American costumers for this sort of thing are high maintenance and prone to returns.

  • @skbiswas2887
    @skbiswas2887 Рік тому +100

    So unique instrument....this making technique should be preserved, so that they doesn't get lost in history .

  • @yowhatsup1006
    @yowhatsup1006 Рік тому +145

    Mad respect for keeping the craft alive! 💯💯💯

  • @nerd26373
    @nerd26373 Рік тому +463

    This is visually mesmerizing. Pumpkins are much more than Halloween decorations. They can serve other purposes in other people's livelihoods.

    • @wherethetwogalaxiesmeet
      @wherethetwogalaxiesmeet Рік тому

      exactly !!! India is the land of Muslim Mysticism
      so my advice to you is - SWITCH OFF THE FUKIN TV !!

    • @AnotherOak
      @AnotherOak Рік тому +24

      Is that what youve learned!?

    • @spacemanspliff7844
      @spacemanspliff7844 Рік тому +22

      What an insight Sherlock. Sheesh, without you having said that out loud, we would have never figured that part out.

    • @purpleXpotion
      @purpleXpotion Рік тому +4

      That is incorrect.

    • @user-kp2ov1gm4w
      @user-kp2ov1gm4w Рік тому +35

      This is actually called Calabash not pumpkin. Calabash is used for making utensils and musical instruments. In Africa it's Korra whereas in India Tanpura and Sitar is made from Calabash.

  • @frozeneternity93
    @frozeneternity93 Рік тому +89

    The amount of work put into one instrument as well as the decades of experience of the artisan is worth more then $400 imo

    • @ferretyluv
      @ferretyluv Рік тому +11

      I know, right? Decent machine-made unfinished Electric guitars made in Indonesia cost $1000 and you can get a fully handcrafted sitar for less than half that!

    • @ashu8265
      @ashu8265 Рік тому +10

      outside India, it will cost more than $1500

    • @prakharranjan6388
      @prakharranjan6388 Рік тому +2

      @@ashu8265Exactly! In India, 400$ is already high.

    • @t-.-t.
      @t-.-t. Рік тому +4

      The worst part is they split it amongst themselves and each would get just around $50 for 2 months of work. Smh

    • @Eralen00
      @Eralen00 Рік тому +2

      It's only worth what people will pay for it... maybe in the west that amount seems low for that amount of work and knowledge but it's probably different in India. Price of living is lower there

  • @giuseppelogiurato5718
    @giuseppelogiurato5718 Рік тому +86

    😯$400 only? That is so inexpensive for such a fine craft! My bagpipes cost $1700, and that is midrange... I love the sound of real Tambura; I hope they regain their popularity. ✌️👍❤️😁

    • @giuseppelogiurato5718
      @giuseppelogiurato5718 Рік тому +7

      @@sdrawkcabmiay I guess that makes sense. But, certainly, I would expect to pay no less than $1200 for even the most basic model of this instrument... It always makes me sad when art is undervalued. I would feel guilty to pay only $400... Like some sort of old-fashioned colonial thief 😬!

    • @samanvayasrivastava559
      @samanvayasrivastava559 Рік тому +12

      @@giuseppelogiurato5718 yup u are so right.. in India art is extremely undervalued as Indians don’t have enough for day to day needs but the true shame is that big business buy cheap in india and sell at very high margins abroad like the leather industry, furniture, jewellery, textiles etc. this leaves the artisan with next to nothing for their art and this is killing all originals and market is flooded with imitations.

    • @shashankbj3804
      @shashankbj3804 Рік тому +5

      ​@@giuseppelogiurato5718 Thank you for your comment, I would like to point out that the piece is not undervalued by any means ; 400$ is a lot of money in India. I assure you that it is rightly valued at 400$ , for people to buy and propagate the art of playing it and is also quite the respectable price for the artisan. I would pay a bit more if you ask me as well around 500$ … might sound like I'm cheating them, in your perspective.. It might be hard to believe but I'm not. To put things to perspective 500$ is more than what most people make a WHOLE year in India More than 50% of the populace make around that much or less. That doesn't mean they are poor the money still holds a lot of purchasing power (more bang per buck you could say).
      I do not want to discourage you from paying what you think is right I certainly would If I could so.... please do as much as you possibly could ^^

    • @shashankbj3804
      @shashankbj3804 Рік тому +1

      ​@@samanvayasrivastava559 True the Indian market is dying and The global market is discouraging people buying artisan products artisans getting paid. As people never question who they're really paying. Very sad state of affairs

    • @hmann4531
      @hmann4531 Рік тому +1

      @@shashankbj3804 I disagree. If Indians can afford to pay 2-3x the price Americans pay for smart phones, they can certainly afford to spend more than 400$ on a luxury hand made work of art. Yes, the blue color workers of India may think 400$ is a lot of money but for those who drive cars, watch dish television on flat screens and eat at McDonalds, 400$ is undervaluing this work of art.

  • @anuradhainamdar8967
    @anuradhainamdar8967 Рік тому +16

    These men who are engaged in making the tanpura are blessed. Hands that made the tanpuras keep the art alive.

  • @lalitbag402
    @lalitbag402 Рік тому +31

    Indian instruments and Indian music itself transcends universe.

  • @DJCannon5
    @DJCannon5 Рік тому +53

    Given how affordable they are and as an instrument collector I feel compelled to get one of these, Id pay more than $400 the shipping alone would probably be over half that atleast, I think these would be great fun to experiment and record with, with hand made guitars costing over 2K it seems more than reasonable.

    • @ddawg3230
      @ddawg3230 Рік тому

      @@sdrawkcabmiay naah , i live in the same economy and 400$ is too less for the kind of craftsmanship and time this takes. They should be charging 1.2k $ at minimum and ideally 2k. Especially given the kind of clientele. The only thing is that it's a very delicate use instrument so doesn't need to be as sturdy as others, but it also means very low rate of replacement. I guess if the adornment is largely skipped they can sell budget versions

    • @suhi6504
      @suhi6504 Рік тому +2

      @@ddawg3230 1.2k $ is the average salary of a middle class person in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan where majority of tanpura users live. How will they afford to buy it? If they sell it more that much price, only a few people will buy it.

    • @tanie3543
      @tanie3543 Рік тому +3

      @@ddawg3230 be a little logical. No one in India can afford it if it's 1.2k. you realise that most Indians are middle class, right?? None of them would be able to play this after a point then.
      I'd say they should just charge more to international customers depending on their economy, not make it harder for Indians to buy.

    • @ddawg3230
      @ddawg3230 Рік тому +2

      @@tanie3543 No one in India can afford an item costing 1 lakh rupees?
      Most Indians are middle class? You realize that earning 25000 per month salary will put you in the top 10%? Majority of Indians dont buy these tanpuras anyways.
      As far as I know, most rural and working class musicians do not use these massive tanpuras in their genre of singing. They use various other versions that are more compact and portable and produce a sound more suitable for their genre.
      Literally every tanpura player you see will be from a classical singer family who can definitely afford to spend a lakh on a fully embelished - stage ready tanpura.
      Even most singing teachers, musicians etc use an electric tanpura sound maker 90% of the time, so whoever is buying these high end tanpuras are already those who fancy them and can afford them.

  • @ferretyluv
    @ferretyluv Рік тому +13

    All that for only $400?! It’s beautiful!

  • @nayeemrahiman3230
    @nayeemrahiman3230 Рік тому +18

    Nice to see the video as I belong to the same family. Happy that Satarmaker are getting recognition they deserved.

  • @craigmunn9669
    @craigmunn9669 Рік тому +27

    The fact that the video repeatedly calls the gourds pumpkins and then calling that jointer plane a block plane 😅😂 makes me wonder what I’ve learned incorrectly from other videos

  • @RK-gc3jr
    @RK-gc3jr Рік тому +38

    *_I'm joyously tearing because the Indian Handicrafts i.e. Tangible and the Indian Classical Music i.e. Intangible Treasures of our Nation are in safe hands_*

  • @hbmultiple
    @hbmultiple Рік тому +9

    Miraj is near from my house, seriously here you will get superior quality tanpura and that vibrations keeps you calm always.

    • @ned4325
      @ned4325 Рік тому +3

      Do you know where I can buy one?

  • @darshangane391
    @darshangane391 Рік тому +6

    Proud being Citizen of Miraj and Friend of Atik Satarmaker❤️

  • @surajitsaikia4139
    @surajitsaikia4139 Рік тому +53

    Thanks for making us believe that bottle gourds are pumpkin 🎃 🙌 ✨️

    • @-jank-willson
      @-jank-willson Рік тому +3

      banjos are also made of a similar gourd

    • @bot42
      @bot42 Рік тому +3

      @@-jank-willson Banjos are made from a tambourine.... I think you meant Mandolin.

    • @-jank-willson
      @-jank-willson Рік тому +4

      @@bot42 no, banjos used to be made out of gourds. They only started using a drum-head or tamborine-head in the past 100 years or so, when the instrument became popular.

    • @JohnnyArtPavlou
      @JohnnyArtPavlou Рік тому

      @@bot42 Are you related to the Boyce Thompson of Yonkers?

  • @amipatel2644
    @amipatel2644 Рік тому +18

    Today by bringing out this episode for hnadmade sitars & tanpura from miraaj india,you guys have touched a lot ....salute to the team insiders....you have really crowlled INDSIDE...this was needed to show people . ORIGINAL MATTERS. Everything can't be shortened it need it time to cherish in its womb,than only it's healthy and delivered healthy. You can't deliver a premature baby unless it's emergencies...SO THE TEAM...YOU ARE GROWING Truly GUYS. Hats off team INSIDERS.

  • @pinkmoonrabbit2072
    @pinkmoonrabbit2072 Рік тому +12

    pretty disappointed you didnt put a link to their website in the description to show them support. If you look up "BM Sitarmaker Miraj" you can find it.

  • @jakemoeller7850
    @jakemoeller7850 Рік тому +27

    May these beautiful hand crafts never be lost to time. Such amazing skills!

  • @alvinkoeswanto8622
    @alvinkoeswanto8622 Рік тому +18

    $400 for this piece of art is relatively cheap compared to the effort & experience these craftsmen have in order to produce it.

  • @davy-jonesdevil-fruit7606
    @davy-jonesdevil-fruit7606 Рік тому +73

    Can't help but wonder, as a guitar player mainly and musician, could one like the artisan featured here, possibly use the gourd for the tonpura following the process for guitar making, applying his experience making stringed guitar-like instruments for so long, and manage to create an all new kind of guitar that is basically all made according to the industry standard blueprints but using the pumpkin material, infusing if you will the soul of the tonpura and classical indian music and hundreds or thousands of years of instrumental engineering with the (imo) more "technically sound" design of the western style guitar. If so, I think it could seriously open up a pathway into new sonic territory, and offer something that has become less and less common, new unique and genuinely unexplored guitar sound and spirit that does not require or stem from the use of an effects pedal, soundboard or engineer, synthesizer, filter, or digital manipulation.

    • @cristiaolson7327
      @cristiaolson7327 Рік тому +6

      Something similar went through my head watching this too. My kid wants to be a luthier, so I hear all day about guitar-making. Maybe I should show my kid this video and see if they want to try growing giant bottle gourds as an experiment.

    • @shashankbj3804
      @shashankbj3804 Рік тому +5

      This sounds great. I'm not opposed to the ideology as things must progress …. but as much I do love the idea I'm writing to convey that it may not be the best course of action I hope you understand the instrument has a very rich cultural significance. Many including myself would consider it sacrilege. That said , would encourage anyone experimenting within their own confines... but it is wise to realize tanpura and sitar are perfect by themselves ; regardless of the fact that they go mainstream worldwide or not. If they do go mainstream I and all of those who practice would love it if it did so, with integrity and while representing the culture behind it and not because it was merged with another instrument while piggybacking for fame with only the story of it being altered left to tell the world. its got 100s of years behind this , it would be a shame.

    • @HiraShaibalReal
      @HiraShaibalReal Рік тому +1

      This is exactly how civilisations, timelines collide to create exotic inventions. Lovely idea! But some knowledgeable individuals need to take initiatives. As human beings, I hope we don’t stop being experimental and innovative.

    • @neoanderson4840
      @neoanderson4840 Рік тому +1

      Yes as time progresses fusion is inevitable for the future. 🤗

    • @gnarbeljo8980
      @gnarbeljo8980 Рік тому +3

      The problem would still remain though, that any new innovative instrument that gained any popularity comparable to a guitar or Tanpura, would be sampled and synthesized, produced in electronic versions within a very short time and again threaten the survival of the craft. The market for Indian trad instruments is ginormous, but being replaced with electronic versions for tangible reasons. Cost, mobility, simplicity etc. I hope these traditional artisan skills and authentic instruments won't become scarce or forgotten. I'm only commenting bc often people dont realize the scope of Indian culture, the amound of people it involves. Few understand that the Indian film industry is by far bigger than Hollywood, with a huge audience for example. In this case it's the digital tech that's so cheap and able to mimic any sound you program it too evolving quickly that's the threat for a slow craft like this in a country where 400 dollars is out of reach for the majority, and the pure size and sensitivity of acoustic instruments like this, or even a stand up bass, a grand piano etc in the climate and world mobility are also less practical that's the problem. And the more people get used to the sound of the lesser electronic replacements, the less likely it is they understand the difference or have experienced it at all.

  • @shanemathews4177
    @shanemathews4177 Рік тому +17

    I have one of these that my grandmother gave me I can't believe how crazy it is to build them

  • @levtieart3409
    @levtieart3409 Рік тому +50

    dude i never wouldv guessed those are made from pumpkins , MAKES THEM EAVEN BETTER

    • @sapandream
      @sapandream Рік тому +4

      Me too man 😬

    • @mfC0RD
      @mfC0RD Рік тому +7

      These are gourds, not pumpkins. They are all from the Cucurbitaceae family, yes, but they are not the same thing.

  • @user-tq4vj3ck9t
    @user-tq4vj3ck9t Рік тому +13

    Epitome of art.They must be paid well and honoured for this unique art

  • @powerful0962
    @powerful0962 Рік тому +18

    Miraj is my hometown and I'm extremely happy and thankful that it's rich heritage has been brought to light by the business insider.
    I just hope that this tradition lives forever.
    And Would like to encourage people to purchase authentic instruments from such artists.

    • @princess9528
      @princess9528 Рік тому

      Where are you from? I am mirajkar aswell

  • @jrzreg2154
    @jrzreg2154 Рік тому +13

    i simply can't believe that this absolutely beautifil instrument is just around 400 dollars

  • @andrewkigen
    @andrewkigen Рік тому +8

    Farouk Abdoulmajidsitarmaker is such a style icon!

  • @himesilva
    @himesilva Рік тому +60

    This family should be rich by now! They invented an entire new (version of an) instrument, and they have an insane degree of craftsmanship. I know money isn't everything, but I know life can be hard in India, so I just hope they are able to benefit from all their hard work 🙏
    Edit: apparently people can't read... I said an entire new VERSION of an instrument. I didn't say they invented the Tanpura, but they did invent the pumpkin-bodied ones shown in the video.

    • @snbharati1447
      @snbharati1447 Рік тому +6

      They didn't invent Tanpuras... they make it

    • @fannyfanny9587
      @fannyfanny9587 Рік тому +3

      @@snbharati1447 sitar maker family made it so they did invent pumpkin tanpuras, well from what i see from the video atleast

    • @gnanasabaapatirg7376
      @gnanasabaapatirg7376 Рік тому

      @Rick3y Rick3y some were even given daruwala, meaning one who sells alcohol

    • @purvapawar8977
      @purvapawar8977 Рік тому

      They in no way invented the Tanpura.

    • @fannyfanny9587
      @fannyfanny9587 Рік тому

      @@purvapawar8977 they might invented the "Pumpkin" variation of tanpura

  • @tusharrane7196
    @tusharrane7196 Рік тому +3

    Government have to support this people's who saving our Indian culture😢😢

  • @nixitha
    @nixitha Рік тому +32

    They aren’t really pumpkins, they’re gourds; bottle gourds to be specific.

    • @Taibunnymum
      @Taibunnymum Рік тому +2

      I was thinking the same thing when she kept saying pumpkins😂😂

  • @craigkeller
    @craigkeller Рік тому +16

    This is divine music of the cosmos. Beauty.

  • @mixfy926
    @mixfy926 Рік тому +11

    Nicki Minaj original name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty.
    Her father named ROBERT MARAJ (1956-2021) is Indian origin Trinidadian now Christian in religion. He is also a Gospel singer. We know Trinidad and Tobago does have Indian origin population due to British Raj. In India some of us do get our surnames from the occupation or the place we belong to and therefore a whole community is born.. By any chance Nicki Minaj's ancestry belongs to this place in India... and the Maraj title is from this city of MIRAJ.

    • @Rohit-cj6eb
      @Rohit-cj6eb Рік тому +3

      Maraj is actually called maharaj in india it is sanskrit word means king
      Miraj is Islamic/arabic word

    • @Saurabh.up81
      @Saurabh.up81 Рік тому +1

      Maharaj with time became Maraj in Trinidad

  • @user-kp2ov1gm4w
    @user-kp2ov1gm4w Рік тому +63

    This is actually called Calabash not pumpkin. Calabash is used for making utensils and musical instruments. In Africa it's Korra whereas in India Tanpura and Sitar is made from Calabash.

    • @-jank-willson
      @-jank-willson Рік тому +10

      it is also used (or was) to make banjo's

  • @ZQQHello1919rty
    @ZQQHello1919rty Рік тому +18

    You really need patience too create this masterpiece

  • @pipen53
    @pipen53 Рік тому +42

    The one thing I don't like about Business Insider is that they rarely; if ever, provide any links to purchase the item. While I don't play the instrument, I and probably many other viewers, would buy these items to support these legacy craftsman's. Even if it is to use just as decoration. Up your game Business Insider and put some links in

    • @michaelf.2449
      @michaelf.2449 Рік тому +2

      If you can't be bothered enough to find a craftsman through Google odds are you aren't serious about buying. This isn't candy it's not some cheap throwaway item buying one costs real money

    • @pipen53
      @pipen53 Рік тому +7

      @@michaelf.2449 Maybe I should have googled them, but your comment still doesn't address my point.
      Which mainly being, why doesn't Business Insider, who are the ones doing the mini-doco provide links at all. It's such a small thing to add a link to the businesses of the people they are actually interviewing. I'm sure these craftsman wouldn't say no to wider exposure and a global market. Not just in this video but nearly all videos with ethnic craftsmen doing traditional crafts have no links.
      Also with a lot of purchases people make, especially for something they don't need or is a novelty to them. There is a thing called impulse buy, 10 years in retail has taught me quite a few things purchased can fall under this category. So if I have to look it up myself and read up and make sure this is the same craftsman I want to support as the video, then that impulse is lost and interest wanes. However if there was a convenient link, then people like myself, who do a lot of impulse buys would only add to these craftsman sale numbers.
      Finally, while I am by no means a rich man. I do live in a part of the world (Australia) where I have a reasonable level of income that spending it on an item that cost less than a flagship Samsung or Apple phone is well within my means.
      You made a few assumptions in your comments.

    • @MissingRaptor
      @MissingRaptor Рік тому +2

      I agree completely that it would be great to be able to support these crafts directly! I wish they had that too.

    • @jgcelliott1
      @jgcelliott1 Рік тому +2

      The company might not have a webpage.
      .

  • @payalkundu1936
    @payalkundu1936 Рік тому +3

    Nothing can replace the grandeur and feel of the real instrument. Electronic can't produce sound the richness of that scale.

  • @SallyGreenaway
    @SallyGreenaway Рік тому +7

    Stunning mini documentary. These artisans are truly a dying breed that we need to cherish and protect.

    • @kendrickbritto8556
      @kendrickbritto8556 8 місяців тому

      Well it’s our bane that were born in an economically downturned irrelevant third world country

  • @midwestern925
    @midwestern925 Рік тому +24

    Beautiful works!! So much talent!!

  • @jakeleo4518
    @jakeleo4518 Рік тому +7

    As a fluent harmuniam playing since my childhood and amature tabla player myself. I have deep respect for Tanpura players, those who make them. And those who play any classical instruments. These work of art live on forever.

    • @ArnavAcharyaTech
      @ArnavAcharyaTech 9 місяців тому

      You play the harmonium and don't know the spelling of it?

  • @blipblip88
    @blipblip88 Рік тому +8

    Very enjoyable! I have a Miraj sitar and it's fantastic. The family really knows how to make a quality instrument. Thanks!

  • @rygregory
    @rygregory Рік тому +6

    I could really go for some pumpkin tempura right now.

  • @hayser7340
    @hayser7340 Рік тому +27

    This is a beautiful work. Big respect for them.

    • @crudetruth7784
      @crudetruth7784 Рік тому

      As per majoritarian society people, muslims do puncture work only. They are yet to see any good side of their own society

  • @flipingboredcritic
    @flipingboredcritic Рік тому +11

    Such a beautiful instrument. It’s beautiful, and the sound feels so soothing and calming.

  • @shivakumarnagamangala4230
    @shivakumarnagamangala4230 Рік тому +4

    The sound and tune makes difference and the ability to maneuver the tune to the vical chord

  • @christianterrill3503
    @christianterrill3503 Рік тому +51

    Aren't those gourds not pumpkins?!?! I haven never once heard a gourd called a pumpkin. And yes of course they can make gourds into instruments super cool

    • @MissingRaptor
      @MissingRaptor Рік тому +24

      Well, if you want to be technical, pumpkins are a type of gourd along with squashes like butternut squash and melons like honeydew (but not watermelon, which has more in common with a "true berry" than with a melon) and zucchinies (but those are on the other end of the spectrum). They mentioned that this was a bottle gourd, which is related to the pumpkin. However, I think that, more than anything, they're trying to be whimsical by calling it a pumpkin.

    • @christianterrill3503
      @christianterrill3503 Рік тому +3

      @@MissingRaptor cool thanks for the info 👍

    • @neilhanson6806
      @neilhanson6806 Рік тому +4

      Yeah, they're all in the cucurbit family but I would not consider "pumpkin" and "gourd" to be interchangeable synonyms. I think the script editor goofed-up or didn't do their basic homework. "pumpkin" almost always refers the the edible winter squash with origins in the americas in the genus Cucurbita whereas gourds, or at least the gourds used here, are in the genus Lagenaria, are usually inedible, and originate from asia and africa. They're just not the same thing.

    • @RAIRADIO
      @RAIRADIO Рік тому +2

      @@neilhanson6806 gourd is eaten in south asia.

    • @dv9239
      @dv9239 Рік тому +1

      @@neilhanson6806 As an Indian i can confirm they are edible my family eats them twice a week

  • @eatmypapaya
    @eatmypapaya Рік тому +25

    Such a fascinating instrument 😍

  • @shashwatpandey1988
    @shashwatpandey1988 Рік тому +18

    Tanpura is the mother of all instruments! I also own one! It has such beautiful carvings, beautiful sound and many more❤️ it requires a lott of hard work to make these and they result too in gorgeous and meditative sound! Tanpura is heavily used in indian classical music and is the most essential instrument for us❤️Lots of love and respect❤️💙🙏🏻

  • @LisaApril
    @LisaApril Рік тому +4

    I feel humbled by human talent and ingenuity. This is something truly beautiful and unlike the electronic versions does not pollute the Earth❤ these are objects of art just as much as they are instruments of music.

  • @starcrib
    @starcrib Рік тому +6

    Beautiful- i would want one for its Sculptural perfection, and learn to play this frequency modulation at my own pace . Fantastic. 🌿👥️👥️👥️👥️👥️🌿

  • @peachmelba1000
    @peachmelba1000 Рік тому +2

    I build guitars and this is just remarkable to watch. I may have to buy one.

  • @ryanblais6208
    @ryanblais6208 Рік тому +12

    These guys are the original "Smashing Pumpkins".

  • @semqueixas
    @semqueixas Рік тому +10

    Beautiful documentary. Thank you.

  • @benblakemore4195
    @benblakemore4195 Рік тому +8

    WOWWWW ARNT THEY JUST BEAUTIFUL, THESE GUYS SHOULD PIVOT TO GUITARS BECAUSE THOSE INLAY PATTERNS ARE JUST GORGOUS WORK 😀😀😊😊☺☺😁😃😄😄

  • @avanm420
    @avanm420 Рік тому +2

    I bought one of this gentlemen's lovely tampuras. Beautiful work and sounds exquisite!
    FYI the camel bone bridge is called jawari and the fine threads are jiva.

  • @kermitefrog64
    @kermitefrog64 Рік тому +7

    This is fascinating 👏. The incredible workmanship brings a touch of India to the world. I enjoy seeing the beautiful crafts of cultures throughout the world.

  • @inurscreams3277
    @inurscreams3277 Рік тому +4

    Hoping this family comes into many fortunes. Such beautiful work.

  • @s-a-r-a-h
    @s-a-r-a-h Рік тому +4

    Only $400 for a delicately crafted masterpiece? I don't even know how to play them, but I want one!

  • @user-zk7rb1cy7x
    @user-zk7rb1cy7x 11 місяців тому +1

    I am absolutely stunned .... Modern instruments will never replaced this ..❤

  • @Magnum756
    @Magnum756 Рік тому +5

    $400 for that?!? What a steal.

    • @dv9239
      @dv9239 Рік тому

      Average Indian needs to wait for 4 months to earn that

  • @Chr.U.Cas2216
    @Chr.U.Cas2216 Рік тому +5

    👍👌👏 Simply fantastic! But 400 USD is definitely not enough for such a lot of effort and work. Every instrument is a piece of art
    Best regards luck and health to all involved people.

  • @carolmccorry3053
    @carolmccorry3053 Рік тому +4

    They are amazing to make them from hand. Very talented family

  • @zangmaster
    @zangmaster 11 місяців тому +2

    Super cool! Man love that people keep things like this going. It's like holding a piece of history

  • @KrishnaSharma
    @KrishnaSharma Рік тому +2

    One day I will definitely buy atleast one Tanpura from them by going there in person. Great job Business Insider team.

  • @KK-wk1id
    @KK-wk1id Рік тому +8

    If would cost 5K USD if it was made in Japan or Switzerland.

  • @vickyfin6999
    @vickyfin6999 Рік тому +5

    Please keep doing this “STILL STANDING ” series. We all Love it. This is letting us know various arts around the world.

  • @shoomboom
    @shoomboom Рік тому +1

    man that stuff belongs in museums!

  • @Mystogun22
    @Mystogun22 Рік тому +2

    What a craftsmanship and dedication to the art.

  • @rethis7331
    @rethis7331 Рік тому +3

    Stupendous and proud of such great artisans 👌👌👏👏🙏we are blessed to have such creative humans🙏🪷

  • @ripplerxeon
    @ripplerxeon Рік тому +6

    Looks pretty awesome 👍

  • @poetinhybernation
    @poetinhybernation Рік тому +25

    The fact that they took on a surname that is also their trade is a testament of passion and dedication. My deepest and sincerest respect to fellow craftspeople who, despite technological advancements and modern techniques, are working to keep culture and tradition alive.

    • @RAIRADIO
      @RAIRADIO Рік тому +1

      Thats how Indian society always was. Your last name represented your family profession. And that often led to endogamy and discrimnation. But it was always about family trade. From my last name I can trace back my ancient family tradition.

  • @Betelgeusewaitforit
    @Betelgeusewaitforit 2 місяці тому

    I still have my late grandmother's tanpura from the 60's.. it's ivory and unique..my mother played it and now it's with my sister who plays it.
    All children in the family used to go to sleep with the sound of this tanpura... My son has also listened to it.. and yes he too slept once to it.
    This is priceless.

  • @bassdivamtm
    @bassdivamtm 11 місяців тому +1

    Truly great luthiers. Instrument making and teaching of skills, both in production and performance, these are guilds. You want to study with the masters!

  • @kieranpierre4841
    @kieranpierre4841 Рік тому +7

    I know these people are masters of their crafts but as someone who does woodworking with children, watch people chisel towards their bare feet makes my hair stand on end…

  • @troyclayton
    @troyclayton Рік тому +5

    3:01 Seeing salvaged wood being used is so wonderful. I see 4 different colors of paint. That board has been around for a while. How often does stuff get painted in your home?
    edit: 4:25 I wish that Shelton plane could tell us the story that brought it from Connecticut, USA in the early half of the 1900's to India like 100 years later.

  • @ravikadam2717
    @ravikadam2717 Рік тому +1

    I am from Miraj proud to be...

  • @joebaumgart1146
    @joebaumgart1146 Рік тому +2

    You can't beat great quality craftsmanship.

  • @juthikajana8153
    @juthikajana8153 Рік тому +8

    This is amazing!

  • @thegreencompany2101
    @thegreencompany2101 Рік тому +12

    Super creative! really nice to see how they make instruments out of pumpkins!

  • @demeter-the-great
    @demeter-the-great 9 місяців тому +1

    Thank you, Insider, for bringing so much joy and interest for esoteric topics, to the attention of the masses.

  • @therandomman6647
    @therandomman6647 8 місяців тому +3

    This is very interesting. This seems very shocking because of how temporary we view fruit to be in North America. Seeing it become a sustainable instrument and piece of an economy is very strange and very amazing.

  • @ted1343
    @ted1343 Рік тому +6

    My god, I feel terrible for being careless with my tampura, and eventually breaking it.

  • @garryperrin2408
    @garryperrin2408 Рік тому

    Thankyou, God bless these fine craftsmen.

  • @hvosouq
    @hvosouq 6 місяців тому

    May God be generous to them materialisticly, take care of their needs, and allow for them to spend their lives in their Art and Craft. We need more people like them. Kudos

  • @VietCom-yo3fb
    @VietCom-yo3fb Рік тому +9

    I suspect the African ships which carried their honey in gourds, potentially also had aboard gourd instruments like the akonting and other kinds of traditional lutes made from gourds.

  • @dhrooviposwal5672
    @dhrooviposwal5672 Рік тому +4

    I am a sitar player myself i started in school but didn't like it as it was very difficult at first but now i love it and have done severwl solos and orchestras i have one of these and trust me it sounds so beautiful when played than all those electrical intrusments out there.sadly classical music is not glorified enough and is a dying industry as not much people want be classical artist

  • @shreyajha158
    @shreyajha158 Рік тому +1

    Wow!! What a beautiful process. I have started to learn sitar recently and I feel so grateful for it. I feel more connected to Indian classical music. @ Business Insider Please keep bringing us such content🤌🏻

  • @apoorvanand9627
    @apoorvanand9627 Рік тому +1

    My mom used to play sitar when I was very young. She had a teacher too. It always looked like a pumpkin. Imagine my surprise now.

  • @manpreetsingh5804
    @manpreetsingh5804 Рік тому +5

    Seriously muslim people have great skill of marval art pasmina art musical instruments they are just great 👍👍👍

    • @RAIRADIO
      @RAIRADIO Рік тому +1

      Thats because the working and business class were most converted back then due to casteism and tax incentives. Thats why Bengal has all intellectuals and no strong business community. In USA not a single export comes from Bengal. It all comes from Bangladesh. Otherwise music toh haram hai. And Indian classical is Hinduism oriented music. The art and love of music is something that couldnt be converted.

    • @princess9528
      @princess9528 Рік тому

      @@RAIRADIO music is not haram

    • @Pihu523
      @Pihu523 Рік тому

      @@princess9528 it's written in your book.