Episode 19 -Make In India – II

I had gone to Mr. Sunil Shinde’s workshop in Charkop when he showed me this double-neck guitar he was making for Mr. Ravi Iyer. The pride of workmanship shining on his face was evident. Mr. Sunil Shinde is a glorious example of a centuries old tradition of craftsmanship. This “Make In India” craftsmanship had given India the tag of “Golden Hind.” So how did we go from Golden Hind to “Not-so Golden Hind”? Where have all the artisans gone? They haven’t vanished but the patrons have.

     Guitar giants like Fender, Gibson, PRS, Ibanez, all started with a luthier and a few technicians in a small workshop. Suppose a luthier based in Mumbai wants to mass-produce guitars in a small workshop, is the atmosphere conducive? Some major hurdles are –

•     Land rates in Mumbai are high enough to give a person a heart attack.

•     Though land rates are cheap outside Mumbai, where would one get trained guitar techs in say places like Gadchiroli or Dahanu.

•     Getting import licences means a lot of red-tapism and frustration.

     The core fact is that we can make world-class guitars right here in India. It is equally true that the music revolution in U.K, USA was triggered by the availability of superb and reasonably priced guitars and amps made by local entrepreneurs.

     However, the good news is despite all the odds there are quite a few skilled individuals who are paving the path for top-notch home grown music equipment. There is Mr.Mohamed Ansar of Calor amplifications– who makes amplifiers and cabinets. There is Mr. Krishnendu Singha of Gigtone Pedalboards, who makes pedal boards and could easily manufacture pedals and Mr. Sunil Shinde who makes S.S Custom guitars. There must be several other excellent young men and women whose genius can revive the Golden Era of India.

     Let us hope that 2015 will be a year of change as far as the Indie music industry is concerned. And may the talent of India blossom and prosper...Happy New Year!!!

- Yashashree