Archive · 1 Dec 2025
Kolkata's Braganza & Co. Keeps Music Alive
A family in Kolkata, India, has been running a music store called Braganza & Co.
for almost a century.
They started in 1959 when Francis Braganza moved from Goa to Kolkata and opened a store selling and repairing musical instruments.
The Braganza brothers were also musicians and teachers, helping to spread Western classical music in the city.
They made instruments affordable by renting them out, which allowed many people to learn and play music.
The store has supplied instruments to famous musicians and has been a big part of Kolkata's music scene.
Today, the store is run by the next generation of Braganzas and continues to be an important place for music lovers in the city.
Braganza & Co. was founded in 1959 by Francis Braganza in Kolkata, India, and has been a staple in the city's music scene for nearly a century.
The store sells, repairs, and rents Western musical instruments and books, and has supplied instruments to notable musicians like Satyajit Ray and AR Rahman.
The Braganza family, including Francis, Thomas, and Joseph, were musicians and teachers who helped popularize Western classical music in Kolkata.
The store's tradition of renting out instruments at affordable prices has made Western music more accessible to many people in the city.
Braganza & Co. has also been a key facilitator of Western classical music education, with Tony Braganza serving as the International Representative for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, London.
- Who
- The Braganza family, particularly Francis, Thomas, and Joseph Braganza, and their descendants
- What
- A music store that sells, repairs, and rents Western musical instruments and books, and promotes Western classical music education
- When
- Founded in 1959, with a significant impact during and after World War II
- Where
- Kolkata, India, with influence extending to other parts of eastern India and Nepal
- Why
- To provide access to Western musical instruments and education, and to contribute to Kolkata's vibrant music scene
- Store Name
- Braganza & Co.
- Founded
- 1959
- Founder
- Francis Braganza
- Location
- Kolkata, India
- Specialty
- Western musical instruments and books
- Notable Clients
- Satyajit Ray, AR Rahman
- Current Owners
- Anthony (Tony) Braganza and Dicky Braganza
- Slogan
- Everything Musical