Vadodara: Mistry family preserves glorious heritage of musical instruments for 147 years

Vadodara: In 1909, when Vadodara musician Inayat Khan Sufi went on a world tour, the harp (veena) he played was made by Somabhai Mistry. Ivory work was done on this harp. The harp is currently kept in a Sufi temple in Holland. Because Inayat spent most of his time in Holland.

There is a painting of gold ink on a ‘Vichitra’ harp played by the first dean of music college.

Dhawal Mistry said, “My grandfather Somabhai Mistry and great-grandfather Bapulal Mistry have come together to make ‘Dilruba’ and ‘Vichitra’ harp, an instrument played by Hirjibhai Patrawala, the first dean of MSU’s music college. The ‘Vichitra’ harp was with his family so far and has now come to me. This fantastic harp is painted with 24 carat gold ink.

Bapulal Mistry won a gold medal in 1904 for making instruments

Speaking on instruments disappearing now, Dhawal Mistry said that the use of instruments like Vichitra Veena, Rudra Veena, Dilruba, Taus, Surasingar and Sarinda has come down a lot. There are only 5 to 6 traditional Rudra Veena players in the world. There is no one in Kolkata, Maharashtra or Banaras who traditionally makes Rudra Veena in our country. Only we are traditionally making Rudra Veena. Bapulal Mistry won a gold medal in 1904 for making music instruments. Taus and Sarinda instruments are used only to sing Gurbani in Gurudwaras of Punjab.