My Harmonium Taste Test: Why I Still Recommend Bhava

Since they were introduced in 2015, I have been enamored with the Bhava brand of harmoniums created by Old Delhi Music. Several years back, I thought it might be wise to try a few alternatives—you know, like how you might sample other ice cream flavors even though you're pretty sure chocolate is your forever favorite.

I decided to conduct a "harmonium taste test" by purchasing four comparably priced instruments from other manufacturers. I won't name all the names here (except the first one), but I will share the results. (Cue dramatic drum roll...)

The Challengers Enter the Ring

Competitor #1 (Bina): Downright terrible. This full-size Bina harmonium, though a popular brand, seems to have diminished greatly in quality over the years. The instrument was big and bulky, yet somehow produced a sound smaller than a sruti box! With only 2 seconds of sustain, I had to pump as frantically as a squirrel on espresso just to maintain sound. This instrument now resides in storage—I wouldn't even use it as a rental for fear of creating harmonium trauma.

Competitor #2: God-awful. I tried to be optimistic and convert it into a rental instrument. But the students who rented it returned with expressions that suggested I'd personally offended their ancestors. They demanded a better model faster than you can say "om." This one was definitely a musical and logistical headache.

Competitor #3: Decent, but compared to Old Delhi's Bhava Mini, it was like comparing grocery store chai to your Indian grandmother's recipe. The keyboard layout was problematic (too few keys on the low end), and the instrument felt loud without a way to gently modulate volume with the bellows. It became a rental instrument that neither garnered compliments nor complaints—the harmonium equivalent of beige wallpaper.

Competitor #4: Truly a good instrument. Unfortunately, it took longer to arrive than most meditation retreats (three months), and didn't quite deliver the tone or volume I was seeking. A student appeared who was looking for exactly this model, so I passed it along to its karmic destination.

The Verdict Is In

Buy a harmonium, not a headache. After this extensive musical pilgrimage, I still maintain that if you're looking for the "Goldilocks" harmonium, the Bhava Mini is just right:

•  Not too big, not too small (the perfect spiritual companion that doesn't require its own seat on the subway)
•  Very portable (easily fits into an airplane overhead bin without requiring negotiation skills)
•  4-7 second sustain makes it easy to play (check out my blog post on how to pump your bellows without looking like you're trying to inflate a runaway hot air balloon)
•  Excellent sound quality and responsive action (left hand pumping and right hand keyboard work together like a well-practiced yoga flow)

If you're interested in playing Western Kirtan (Krishna Das, Snatam Kaur) and want a portable instrument that won't give you trust issues, you will likely be very happy with a Bhava Mini harmonium tuned to A-440. In most cases, this is my recommendation—and I've tested enough alternatives to feel confident saying this.

Promo Code 

Have questions or comments? Interested in receiving information about exclusive offers and a promo code that will give you a discount on your harmonium purchase at Old Delhi Music? Email [email protected], or check out our harmonium guide - Everything You Need to Know to Buy Your Perfect Harmonium. 

Learn More

Want to learn more about the harmonium? Check out these informative comparison blog posts:

• Choosing the Right Harmonium: All About That Sound
• Choosing the Right Harmonium: The Magic of Sustain