Yamaha's push in India comes as children have had few opportunities until now to play musical instruments in public schools, where the emphasis is on academic studies. (Photo courtesy of Yamaha Corp.)

Yamaha taps school music lessons to score growth in India, Southeast Asia

World's top instrument maker offers recorders, classes in emerging markets as Japan sales slide

KIRAN SHARMA and AKIRA KITADO, Nikkei staff writers

January 19, 2024 06:00 JST

NEW DELHI/TOKYO -- For one New Delhi fifth grader shy of singing, a white, plastic recorder gifted by Japan's Yamaha Corp. has been a potentially career-defining revelation.

"I feel I'm better at playing the recorder and may even teach it to others when I grow up," said Palak Ramania, speaking during a break in a music class for her and more than 40 of her schoolmates in east Delhi.