SRIRAM RAVISHANKAR
A 175-year old Musical Sanctuary!
Undoubtedly a musician can never discount the importance
of a facilitator in their musical journey. Although the
word ‘facilitator’ can imply educational, professional,
technological, etc. I’m specifically referring to that of a
music store. In many ways, a good music store is parallel to
an artist’s development because as much as creative growth
is self-initiated, having an instrument, tool, or material
that can challenge and inspire you to push yourself harder
is instrumental in the growth of a musician. Considering
the kind of diverse influences that India has had in shaping
its cultural identity, the introduction of Western Music
in prominence through history is of no surprise. One such
enterprise that arguably holds an unparalleled legacy in the
music store circuit is Chennai’s Musee Musical, probably
one of India’s oldest functional music stores.
Beginnings
Started by Portuguese businessman Misquith in 1842, Musee
Musical opened exclusively to service pianos and organs on
Mount Road, Chennai. Initially named ‘Misqith and Co.’, the
enterprise shot to fame in no time opening over 16 branches
across South India. Due to health concerns, they eventually
reduced to one functional outlet that still remains on Anna
Salai from the 1930s which was once an elephant stable of the
nearby Parthasarathy Temple.
Musee Musical has always been a prime name in the Western
musical instruments and music education field in southern
India. Their 175 years of unparalleled legacy, in-depth
understanding of the changing need of teachers, students,
musicians, and a boundless passion to serve music has made
them a singular interface for music connoisseurs of every
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type. Musee Musical has been trusted partner and a global
gateway in bringing the best of brands from across the world
like Korg, Pearl, Gibson, Ritmuller, Steinway and Sons,
Fender, Yamaha amongst a host of others coupled with a state
of the art in-store experience for Indian musicians. Besides
this, the Musee Musical Foundation supports students for
higher education and research in music and instrument.
Tryst with Trinity
Musee Musical is probably India’s oldest associates with the
prestigious Trinity College London since 1901. Annually,
the school prepares roughly 8000 students for the exams
conducted by Trinity College. Students are trained on
both theoretical and practical skills on instruments like
Piano, Keyboard, Drums, Guitar, Violin, Saxophone etc.
The teachers at Musee Musical are highly qualified and
handpicked to teach and prepare students for exams.
The school’s legacy as an alma mater speaks volumes in
the successes of many of its students who have become
successful music directors, musicians and earned great
accolades. “I came here when I was ten or eleven. I used to
come with my father. I wrote all my music exams here,”
recalls AR Rahman, the school’s most famous alumnus. With
a long list of associates and well-wishers like G.V. Prakash,
L. Subramanian, Veena Balachandar, Karaikudi Mani along
with the innumerable number of students the school has
fostered over the years; Musee Musical is one of Chennai’s
most loved musical enterprises.
With a lineage of illustrious directors like Prudhome, Amy
de Rozario, Giridhar Das, and Haricharan Das who took the
company to newer heights, Musee musical is at the heart of