Amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy Ramkoti streets, there is a Tabla repair shop that emanates melodious sounds. As we made our way to Mahboob Ali Tabla shop near the Ramkoti crossroads, we found Mr. Mohd. Shoukath listening to the tabla sound intently while his son was busy making and repairing the tablas. Here’s what Mr. Shahbaz has said about their business.

“My father, Mohammed Shoukath has been repairing different percussion instruments like tabla, dholak, congo, bongo, mridangam, pakhawaj, and dholki for living, continuing the family’s legacy.

We have a history of over 100 years in tabla making and repairs. It was our grandfather and his brothers who first started to repair tables in Afzalgunj. We used to have a shop in Afzalgunj earlier, and we moved to Ramkote twenty years ago.

Besides repairing tablas, we also make tablas. The sound from these instruments is natural and melodious. And trust me, no electrical instrument could ever produce the sound quality like the handmade tablas.

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Not everyone can make tablas. When artists come here to buy the instrument, they play it, experience the natural sound and then proceed with buying it. Though it takes a week to make one tabla, it is the most satisfying job for us.

I (Shahbaz) have grown up listening to the sounds of tabla since our childhood and we are now continuing our family’s legacy of supporting our father.

Many customers along with the people from the film fraternity visit our shop. People often ask why we haven’t moved to a larger outlet. Yes, I agree our shop is not so spacious but for us, quality matters and it’s always of greater importance than the fancier space. Whatever we make, we sell it here.

Today we feel blessed to have national wide recognition for our tablas which artists play. At the end of the day, that gives us the most satisfaction than anything else.”

• Story by Srinath Chavali