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Blowing its own trumpet

Mangaloreans can now buy musical instruments of their choice at Symphony

TAKE YOUR PICK Fancy a drum set or a ghatam?

When jazz and R&B great Ray Charles got his first piano from a used piano seller in Brooklyn in 1956, he purchased it for $100 and exclaimed: "I have my own piano - my own world." That is what it means to be a committed musician. Ray Charles went on to be a pioneer, inspiring many generations and genres.

Music has always played an important role in the lives of the people of Mangalore, which turning into a mini metro. Many families want their members, especially young ones, to learn at least some form of music, including instrumental music.

One shop catering to the demand is the aptly named Symphony, located on Kudumul Ranga Rao Road, offering everything from guitars, harmonicas, violins and keyboards. Fully air-conditioned and with plush interiors, the store is inviting.

Loy Noronha, the proprietor, says: "Mangalore is growing. There are people — qute a few of them new customers — walking in and asking anything from a pair of plectrums to Chinese harmonica and the latest models of electric guitars, synthesisers and drum sets. We can offer all these and at affordable prices."

Taking out a German harmonica from the cupboard, Loy says there has been a flood of musical instruments from all over the world into Mangalore and sales are brisk even though the store is very new.

The shiny new Chancellor drum set is the cynosure of the shop. As for the ubiquitous keyboards, take your pick from Yamaha, Korg and Casio.

The shop also pays equal importance to Indian music. It stocks instruments ranging from the khanjira to tablas and ghatams.

Symphony can be contacted on 7739704.

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