GST hits false note with Bengal artisans

Upset over revenue loss with sales hitting rock bottom post the steep tax burden, they have written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to remedy the situation. 

“In just one month, the market has crashed. In one month, if a shop used to sell instruments worth Rs 1 lakh, that has come down to Rs 20,000,” said Ajit Kumar Mondal, secretary of West Bengal Musical Instruments Dealers and Manufacturers Association. 

The devoted makers and dealers of these instruments - sitars, sarods, violins, tablas and harmoniums - scattered mainly across Lalbazar in central and Chitpore Road in north Kolkata, have sought exemption from the tax slab. In their workshops, one can see the workers whittling out string or wind instruments out of scratch from a mix of metal and wood. Mondal said while in Kolkata alone, over a lakh persons are directly or indirectly involved in the business, at least five times more are linked to it in the entire state. In Lalbazar’s narrow alleys, 50 shops ply their trade.

“Our key clientele include music schools, schools and other educational establishments as well as enthusiasts. Since traditional music is a big part of our cultural heritage, the business was doing well up until GST came. We have also written to the Union Finance Ministry,” Mondal said. 

Maestro Ravi Shankar used to buy his instruments in the city. In 1952, Yehudi Menuhin’s violin was repaired by craftsmen in Chitpore Road, during his India tour. One of the major blows has come from the sale in other states. One of the major blows has come from the sale in other states. “Kolkata is the major hub of wholesale musical instruments in the country. We supply our products all over India. Now our customers are not keen to purchase them because of the escalating costs,” he said. The instruments most hit due to GST are the ever-popular guitar and harmonium - emblematic of the British legacy as in the 1800s the foot-bellow harmonium was in vogue in the city as also the French touch - French-made instruments were brought to the city by missionaries in the 19th century.