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The journey of 'Rikhi Ram Musical Instrument Mfg.Co' started with founder Late Pt. Rikhi Ram, who was a great musicians and one of the best known musical instrument maker. Pt. Rikhi Ram's father Pt. Gobind Ram was also a musician and had inclinations towards making musical instruments and so manufacturing of musical instruments started in the family 85 years ago. Pt. Rikhi Ram learnt sitar playing from eminent musician Abdul Harim Poonchwala.
Late Pt. Bishan Dass followed in his father's footsteps and started learning sitar at a very tender age under the guidance and supervision of his father. Later, he became a disciple of world renowed sitar maestro Pt. Ravi Shankar. He also worked in the maintainance cell of A.I.R. During his tenure at A.I.R he got associated with great musicians like Ustad Allauddin Khan, Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Pt.Ravi Shankar and many others. From these great Ustads Bishan learnt that the primal value of a good instrument was its tonal quality. They would often discuss these aspects of an instrument and give him useful hints. "This extra interest fired my imagination and aroused in me the urge to produce quality instruments for the maestros" says Late Pt. Bishan Dass.
Late Pt. Bishan Dass realized "to be a master craftsman you need to have a thorough knowledge of music, to understand the sound, tonal quality and other nuances of instruments". It is a rare blend of the art of a musician and skills of a craftsman. With a past like the one he has had it isn't much of a surprise that he has flowing through his harmonic veins things like octaves, consonances & melodies.
Beatles' the world famous musicians on their world tour visited 'Rikhi Ram Musical Instrument Mfg.Co' when they visited India. George's first lesson in the sitar was given by Bishan Dass. He taught George the basics of sitar, the position & the manner in which to sit and hold the sitar and then Pt. Ravi ji took over.
Late Pt. Bishan Dass's shop 'Rikhi Ram's Music' is like a 'Institute'. In this Institute of his, Late Pt. Bishan Dass experiments with the acoustic sound of the instrument. Every instrument that is made is rigourously checked for quality of tone, functioning, operational ease and isn't complete until it is perfect. Bishan Dass has invented new instruments like Transistor sitar, Tamboori, Swarsangam, Rikhi Veena, Mohan Veena and Vishwa Veena.
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The music of India is said to be one of the oldest unbroken musical traditions in the world. It is said that the origins of this system go back to the Vedas (ancient scripts of the Hindus). Many different legends have grown up concerning the origins and development of Indian classical music. Such legends go a long way in showing the importance that music has in defining Indian culture.
However the advent of modern historical and cultural research has also given us a good perspective on the field. This has shown that Indian music has developed within a very complex interaction between different peoples of different races and cultures. It appears that the ethnic diversity of present day India has been there from the earliest of times.
A flair for instrument making, and a series of lessons from notable maestro is not enough to make one conspicuous. We strive to make a instrument entirely to the satisfactory of these maestro, has made Rikhi Ram the most revered instrument maker of today.
Grafting sitar for Pt. Ravi Shankar happened by default. Once Pt. Ravi Shankar was on his tour of Italy, when his main sitar was damaged in the journey. The sitar was his favourite. The idea of not using his favourite sitar made him worry, but Late Pt. Bishan Dass Sharma, ventured to put it right, infact he claimed to that the tonal quality of the restored sitar would be better than the original one. Shri Sharma worked on the sitar and to Panditji's surprise the repaired sitar was of course better sounding than it was before. Ever since then, Shri Sharma have been making sitars for Pt. Ravi Shankar, along with the main Sitar that he is playing currently.
Shri Sharma's ties with Ustad Vilayat Khan Sahib, dates back to their acquaintance in Lahore. The relationship has stepped in the next generation by making Sitar for his two sons Shujaat Khan and Hidayat Khan. He has also made Sitar for Ustad Imrat Khan and his son Nishat Khan, Shahid Parvez, Budhaditya Mukharjee and many others of Ustad Imdad Khan Gharana.
In 1966, the famous Beatles came to India and were so influenced by the Instruments made by Rikhiram, they brought the Sitar, Tanpura, Sarod and Tabla from Rikhiram and played them in their unforgettable music.
Shri Sanjay Sharma has a very good relations with almost all the great musicians. You can visit photo gallery of Shri Sanjay Sharma with the masters. |
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"Rikhi Ram" founded by late Pt. Rikhi Ram Sharma in the year 1920, Anarkali Bazaar, Lahore (Now in Pakistan). Later was established in Delhi in 1948 as Rikhi Ram's Music at its current location serves all their esteemed customers. |
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We make Indian Musical Instruments. We are here to provide an online experience of the Great & Legendary World of ‘RIKHI RAM'S MUSIC' known for its finest & purest form of Musical Instruments round the globe since 1920.
We invite you to an enchanting experience of excellence, style & perfection ~ RIKHI RAM'S MUSIC
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