Falling in love with the sound

Saket Jalan first laid his hands on a harmonica, better known as mouth organ, when he was in his teens. Almost instantly, the sound of the instrument and the possibility of exploring it and creating music caught his attention.

   Today, his exploration has inspired him to collect close to 350 harmonicas that he has carefully picked up from across the world. 

 Saket has taken it upon himself to popularise the instrument among the younger generation. This is precisely why he founded a harmonica club in the City with not less than 800 members.

   “We hold concerts or some of us just get together and play the instrument and sometimes we hold workshops as well... all in an effort to keep the art of playing the harmonica alive,” he says.

   He concedes that he has spent a lot of time looking for the rarest of harmonicas to the most ordinary one.

Among his vintage collection are ‘Echo Elite’ made in Germany, 1890 antique Harmophone, Harmonica Bell cone, Pre ww2 Hohner echo harp, ​Concert Tremolo Germany, antique 1900's Hohner Harmonica  Sextet Six sided Harmonica and M Hohner Echobell Marine Band (harmonica with bells).

   “I have close to 200 vintage pieces and each harmonica has an interesting history behind it and I don’t mind saying that I am emotionally attached to every single harmonica,” he states.

Among his collection is the ‘Hohner Sextet Tremolo Harmonica’ which has six sides with a beautifully decorated Hohner Sextet. It has six  working harmonicas in different keys. The ‘Always Happy Pipe Organ (harmonica)’ has five trumpet calls made in Germany.

   “It is supposed to be the most desirable of all Hohner Harmonicas by collectors,”
he explains. Saket has a collection of modern harmonicas as well like the ‘Hohner Harmonica CX12 Jazz C’, ‘Hohner Harmonica Harmonette Historic (Ltd edition)’ and ‘Hohner Harmonica Meisterklasse’, just to name a few.

   “The vintage harmonicas have a charm about the way they are designed, cut and decorated. You don’t find them anywhere now. The smallest harmonica would cost Rs 300 and the most expensive ones could run up to Rs 52,000 or more,” says Saket.

Saket observes that the harmonica has a certain romance about it. Why does he think so?
“Well, my wife fell in love with me after she heard me play the instrument. So, I found my life partner because of the instrument. In fact, my wife and a lot of our friends and relatives generously pick up harmonicas and add to my collection,” he says with a smile.

   He also states that most people who play the harmonicas are introverts, “I think
the sound of the instrument makes you an introvert,” he feels.  

Saket has noticed that the instrument has become a part of bands that play at night clubs and in lounges.

“They are extensively used during classical concerts and now most schools have people teaching the instrument,” he says.

He also observes that it is unfortunate that people don’t have the time to preserve such instruments, “People often ask me where I find the time to further my passion and I tell them that the trick is in distributing your time to all the things you like doing. I dedicate time for this hobby and keep my eyes open for harmonicas wherever I go,” he sums up.