A 175-Year Old Musical Sanctuary!

India’s oldest operational music store, Musee Musical in Chennai turns 175 years!

- Sriram Ravishankar

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.