Music takes centrestage in jamming studios in Hyderabad

The Hindu

5 hours ago

Imagine a 'me space' where musicians can sing, strum, or drum without worrying about disturbing family or neighbours. Across Hyderabad, cosy, air-conditioned and soundproof jamming pads offer just that. Equipped with in-house instruments — guitars, percussion, keyboards — they spare artistes the hassle of carrying their own gear. With hourly rates ranging from ₹400 to ₹1,000 (and as low as ₹250 for college bands), these pads are fuelling a vibrant music scene in the city.
Plug and play music studio
Independent musician Sriteja Kandarpa and real estate entrepreneur Yashwanth Kumar Tirupati, who shares a keen interest in music, launched GOT (Game of Tunes) Studio in Film Nagar in December 2023. Drawing from his own experiences as the frontman of the band Sri Teja Live, Sriteja wanted to create a musician-friendly space with quality acoustics. 'Often, we head to gigs straight after a jam session and struggle to find a washroom, a snack, or even a place to relax,' he says. 'If we arrive early for rehearsals, we are stuck waiting in the car.'
GOT Studio is a plug-and-play setup with audio recording options, offering electric and bass guitars, a keyboard, and a drum kit for practice. It can accommodate up to 12 musicians and includes amenities to rest, grab a bite or change before heading to a performance. With ambient lighting and a purposefully designed ceiling, it also doubles as a space to shoot video songs.
Understanding the challenges faced by emerging musicians, Sriteja offers discounted rates of ₹250 per hour for college bands. Since its launch, the studio has hosted around 200 bands, including well-known singers and composers such as Sunitha, Rahul Sipligunj, Mickey J Meyer, Anup Rubens and Vivek Sagar. Occasionally, Sriteja joins in, singing alongside artistes like Geetha Madhuri.
Easily accessible
The first thing that strikes visitors at Groove Brain Jam Pad in OU Colony, Shaikpet, is its easy access. 'I always wanted my studio to be visible and accessible from the road — no stairs, no alleyways. It is also wheelchair-friendly,' says musician Jonathan Edward, aka Eddie, seated beside his two-and-a-half-year-old cocker spaniel, Helix.
A producer, composer, and guitarist for the Telugu-Hindi pop-rock band Kalakari, and formerly for singer Pranathi Khanna (now based in Los Angeles), Eddie had been dreaming of launching his own jam space for nearly eight years. That dream materialised in December 2024, when he and his singer-brother, Joel Elifaz, opened the studio.
The 20x10 feet soundproofed room includes a few in-house instruments — guitar, drum kit and mini keyboard — and Eddie plans to gradually expand the inventory. While the room is also rented out for photo, video and product shoots, he hopes to fully convert it into a recording studio by January 2026.
Visually appealing outdoors
Launched by DJ Hamza Rehmatullah in 2008, Windhorse Records Studio is one of Hyderabad's oldest jamming spaces. Tucked within the premises of Imli Sarai Café in Banjara Hills, the only minor inconvenience is the short walk from the parking lot to the studio.
Originally established to record Hamza's own music, the six-year-old studio eventually opened its doors to other musicians. Spread across three rooms, it now accommodates recording sessions and hosts DJ workshops.
'The studio provides a comfortable space to jam, with in-house equipment including PA systems and Neumann microphones — among the best for recording,' says sound engineer Karunakar. One of Windhorse's standout features is its lush, outdoor courtyard. 'Musicians appreciate the ambience. The open-air space offers a much-needed breather between sessions, and they can also order food from the café.'
Over 40 bands, including Threeory and Capricio, and singers such as Ram Miryala, Rahul Sipligunj and Mangli have used Windhorse as their rehearsal pad before live shows.
Store and a studio
Full Volume, located in Journalist Colony, Banjara Hills, functions as a music store and jamming studio. The first floor houses a retail space that stocks Western and Indian classical instruments, alongside essential accessories such as guitar strings, stands, drum heads, skins, and cymbals. The jamming rooms, located on the second and third floors, are designed to give musicians the feel of a live performance setup.
Running a jam studio comes with its own set of challenges, particularly the upkeep of instruments. 'With constant use, wear and tear is inevitable. We cannot pin it on any one band, but the equipment needs regular replacement to maintain sound quality,' explains manager Kiran Kumar.
The studio caters to a range of clients, from bands to church musicians and corporate groups preparing for office events.