Q1) How long they have been into business? Or how many generations?

A1) 15 to 20 years (sonic band) 30 to 35 years (sita band). They are into the 4 th
generation now.
Q2) Something about themselves, years of operations, no. of members etc.
A2) Band owners generally belong to Dhanu samaj. In case of Sita band, they are
operating since 30 to 35 years. They have a permanent staff of 5 people while sonic
band has a staff of 20 to 25 people working at different units of sonic band. The
players(master as referred by them) work on contract basis. The labours(road light
workers) are outsourced and work on ad hoc basis.
Q3) Share some beautiful memories from their past.
A3) Sita band successfully performed and got a lot of appraisal at Mayawati rally.
They are also in a permanent collaboration in different processions like Jain juloos,
Matiari juloos and Gurudwara juloos which are fests conducted on grand scale.
Q4) Major changes which they have witnesses over time.
A4) The major changes they have observed are in technological terms. While the
basic instruments remained the same, the introduction of DJs and new modern
lights have changed the shape and style of business altogether.
Q5) Good changes which they have witnessed.
A5) The industry has grown in terms of major technological changes which has
enhanced the scope of their business in terms of marketing, advertisements and
reach. The industry has upgraded from personal booking to online booking.
Q6) Adverse changes which they have witnessed.
A6) The industry had crack down when DJ was introduced. The percentage of
demand of brass bands in the whole proportion is 40% whereas DJ caters to the rest
of the 60% demand. GO of banning bands after has also affected the business.
Q7) Investment details.
A7) It is a one-time investment business which generally depends on service for
future growth. The basic initial investment is approximated as Rs.80000. The main
supplier of musical instrument is Nadir Ali and sons, Muradabad. Kothi ke baje is
referred to as good quality instruments whereas Paris board are referred to as
inferior one. Different dresses are prepared for different parties.
Q8) Major challenges related to human resource.
Human resourcea) Skilled master and team

b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)

Unskilled- labours(road light workers)

Outsourced (unskilled)
Contract basis(skilled)
Staff- 20 people(office assistant, driver and miscellaneous)
Salary -5000-6000 p.m.
Labour wages- 250/day
Outsourced
1 month in-house training

Key issues1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Unsatisfied human resource.

Labour migration to different odd jobs during off season.
People switching to other form of jobs due to increase in education level.
Not interested in passing on the legacy.
Internal conflict among families running the business.

Q9) How many average function they target in a year?

A9) On an average they target for 100 to 150 events in a calendar year.
Q10) Various price range.
A10)

A1- Rs.450000
A2 Rs. 30000
A3- Rs. 25000

A2 range is the most sought after range.

Q11) How many shifts they operate and related issues?
A11) They operate 3shifts per day on an average. The key issue is related to the
availability of unskilled labours(road light worker) which they manage through
mutual sharing and connectivity.
Q12) Biggest strength.
A12) Their USP is Quality and Variety. They believe that brass bands have a class
segment as well as mass segment which will make them sustain forever. They are
also not reluctant to adopt DJ or any other latest technology.
Q13) Major competitors.
A13) Their major competitors are new entrants like International band and Grand
National Band who have a huge capital resource and reach and have overpowered
and acting like star players.

Q14) Liaison or partnership.

A14) Commission agents- firework, baghghi, shehnai, videocam.
Mutual interest, no commission- caterers.
Q15) Major threat.
A15) Since they run the business as a sole proprietorship, the major issue is
internal conflicts between family members running the business which had led to
downfall of several brass brands. Another threat that they foresee is related to any
further GO regarding noise pollution. They are not proactive.
Q16) Response towards challenges in the past.
A16) They were not at all reluctant to upgrade to fast technological changes which
has helped them to survive in the long run. Adopting the DJ can be cited as an
example. Apart from it they want to expand as wedding planners and diverse.
Q17) How majority of customers approach them?
A17) Majority of customers approach them through their social networks or personal
booking. Some revenue is also generated through online booking as well.
Q18) Do they engage themselves in any marketing activity?
A18) Yes. Their marketing is basically based on event advertising as well as online
adv., pamphlets and posters. They lack in changing or updating them.
Q19) Government support.
A19) No, they never received any government support in the past. In fact, some
GOs like banning of bands after 10 in the night has hampered their business
manyfolds. They foresee a very serious threat of banning of loudspeakers in near
future by the government which would lead to deployment of fresh capital needed
for alternatives of loudspeakers.
Q20) How do see their business in future?
A20) Most of the bands want to upgrade to wedding planner level to earn more
incentives and profits and to earn maintain a status quo in the society as they
believe that their business is down eyed.
LegacyThey do not want to pass on their legacy to the next generation due to status quo.
Increasing education level is also another reason.

Q21) Awareness about online and technological advances.

A21) Yes, they are aware about them.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Online
Mail
Just dial
Yellow pages-10% discount.
Jus dial and yellow pages charge 15000 to 20000 per year.
Organizations website.

A chunk of revenue is generated from these resources hence, they consider

them as aid. They use smart phones and have apps on them in most of the
cases.
Q22) Payment mobilization
A22) Payment modea) Cash mostly
b) Cheque 2 advance
c) Online transfer- rare case.