Sitars, tanpuras made in Maharashtra’s Miraj town get GI tag

The quiet town of Miraj is located in the centre of the Sangli district in Maharashtra. Here, a seven-generational line of talented craftspeople continues to carry on a centuries-old heritage of creating magnificent musical instruments. With steadfast passion, these artists produce tanpuras and sitars that appeal to performers and music lovers all around the world.

(Sitar)

The Craftsmanship of Miraj Instruments

The tanpuras and sitars of Miraj are more than just musical instruments; they represent a tradition. Each piece is painstakingly made using premium components. For sitars, the forests of Karnataka provide the wood, while for tanpuras, the Mangalvedha region in the Solapur district of Maharashtra provides the pumpkin gourds. Craftsmanship is a kind of art that combines accuracy and history.
photo: sitar making from pumpkin

The significance of GI tags

These instruments were created by Miraj, and have recently received Geographical Indication (GI) tags. What does this signify, though? A GI tag identifies a product as coming from a particular geographic location and having particular characteristics linked to that place. It serves as a kind of authenticity stamp, guaranteeing that these sitars and tanpuras are real Miraj products.

Promoting authenticity and safeguarding tradition

Legal Protection: GI tags serve as intellectual property rights, protecting the unique identity of products. They prevent unauthorised use and imitation.
Preserving Cultural Heritage: By recognising Miraj's craftsmanship, GI tags contribute to preserving the town's rich musical heritage.
Marketability: These tags enhance marketability, making Miraj instruments more appealing to global audiences.

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_(Tanpura)

Miraj's Musical Legacy

The roster of well-known musicians who have adopted instruments made by Miraj resembles a who's who of classical music. These instruments have been played by legends such as Rashid Khan, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, and Ustad Abdul Karim Khan Saheb. Their melodic tones are an inspiration to even modern musicians like Shubha Mudgal and singers from the film business like Javed Ali, Hariharan, Sonu Nigam, and A.R. Rahman.

_{Musical legends: left to rt: Pandit Bhimsen Joshi,Ustad Abdul Karim Khan Saheb and Rashid Khan}

The Miraj Musical Instruments Cluster produces around 60 to 70 sitars and approximately 100 tanpuras each month. Their distribution channels include online sales, retail music instrument shops, and direct customers—artists who seek the soulful resonance that only Miraj instruments provide.

You may also read:More Than 60 Products Across India Achieve Prestigious GI Tags

So, the next time you hear the enchanting strains of a sitar or the resonant hum of a tanpura, remember that it might just be a piece of Miraj's rich musical heritage, now officially recognised with GI tags.

PC: multiple agencies