The world famous Miraj school of string instrument makers is going to complete 171 years.The City of Miraj is famous for its string musical instruments and music. The goddess of music has spread her blessings over this town. Miraj has been a birth place of many famouse singers and musicians for centuries. Pundit Vishnu Digambar,whoes great Guru, Pundit Balkrishnabuva was a musician of the Miraj Royal court.
In 1850, the first string musical instrument of Maharashtra came to existance after many difficulties faced by its makers. The father of this first maharashtrian musical instrument was Shri. Faridsaheb Shilklgar and his brother Shri Mohinuddin saheb Shikalgar. The Shikalgar brothers faced a lot of difficulties and tensions while making the instrument. Before the production of musical instruments in Miraj; the maharashtrian musicians used the instruments like- Tambora, Sitar, Been, Dilruba, Taus; which were made in North Indian cities like Jaipur, Banaras and Lakhknow. At this time in Maharashtra, wooden instruments like ' Ektari' sursote etc. were made . Because of the low cost and less hard work, the singers used the wooden musical instruments like 'sursote'. Very rare singers used the Tambora which was very costly and demanded hard work in its making.
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The artist/ workers who make the string musical instruments are honored by the Lord, Land Lords, masters in music. The honor is given by considering the standards of the instrument's sound, the age of the the instrument, and the skillfull craftsmenship.
Miraj's string musical instrument artist/ workers have got the Bronze medal in 'All Indian Handicraft Exhibition' which was arranged in Dharwar' in 1913. Mumbai's governor Lord Willingdon admired the string musical instrument & the workers during this function.
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Last week I became the proud new owner of a rudra veena, expertly constructed by Naeem Naushad Sitarmaker. To have such an instrument has been a dream of mine some 13 years in the making, back when I was just beginning my studies on sitar, and heard for the first time the music of the Dagars. However, I never thought I would have the opportunity to have one of these instruments myself, let alone r...
Tomek Regulski, USA 
