Indian Musical Instruments Trusted by Classical Maestros
Seeing my instruments in the hands of the masters who shaped Indian classical music is my greatest pride. From workshop visits to festival stages, here is the community that keeps our tradition alive.
It was a great honor when Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty visited our home and workshop in Miraj. He is a true legend of Indian classical music.
With Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty after servicing his tanpuras and providing him with new ones. It is a privilege to ensure that his instruments are always in perfect condition for his music.
With the great maestro, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan. Learning from and working with such masters is a blessing.
The very talented Mehtab Ali Niyazi visited our shop in Miraj and played one of our sitars. It is wonderful to see the next generation of maestros carrying the tradition forward.
A great meeting with the legendary Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. To be in the presence of such greatness is always a humbling experience.
It was a pleasure to meet Ayaan Ali Bangash, a brilliant musician and part of a great musical family.
A wonderful meeting with the famous singer Kailash Kher, showing him one of our specially designed black tanpuras.
With the famous comedian and poet Zakir Khan, who is also a sitar enthusiast. It's wonderful to see people from all walks of life share a love for this music.
At the 4th Ustad Hameed Khan Sangeetotsav in Dharwad, where my uncle, Naushad Gulab Saheb Sitarmaker, was felicitated for his lifelong contribution to instrument making.
A close-up from the award ceremony, showing my uncle receiving his felicitation alongside Pandit Anand Bhate.
About In the Hands of Artists
When legends like Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan or Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty visit my Miraj workshop, it is not just to pick up an instrument; it is to discuss the precise jawari work or the specific tonal balance they need. My work is trusted by these masters because I listen to every detail, whether it is a small repair for a student or a custom concert-grade sitar build.
For six generations, since 1850, my family has been refining the art of turning seasoned Tunwood and Teakwood into vessels for melody. When you see artists playing our instruments in this gallery, you are seeing the result of months of patient, manual work—from sourcing Pandharpur pumpkins for our gourds to the intricate fret work and bridge filing with camel bone or deer horn.
My connection with these artists goes beyond the transaction. It is about the sadhana of sound. They come to me because they know I understand that no two musicians play the same way. Whether it is an electric Zitar for a fusion experiment or a traditional Surbahar for a Dhrupad concert, I build for the player, not for the shelf.
We do not just sell instruments; we maintain them. Many of these maestros return to our workshop for bridge repairs, fret adjustments, or to fine-tune their tanpuras. This constant feedback loop is why our instruments stand the test of time. When you order from me, you are getting the same commitment to the ultimate tone that I provide to the legends who grace my workshop.
Naeem Sitarmaker
I am Naeem, a 6th-generation instrument maker from Miraj. This craft is in my blood, and my workshop is where tradition meets the needs of today's maestros. I build for the love of the sound, and my family's legacy is in every string I set.
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