How to book band melam for a wedding baraat or procession
Band melam is a brass band: trumpets, saxophones, clarinets and drums, played by musicians in matching uniforms who march with the procession. It leads the baraat (the groom's procession) at weddings and plays at processions such as the Ganesh immersion. Book it once your muhurtham is fixed, and agree the number of players, the hours, the route and the fee in advance. In 2026, a Hyderabad brass band said it charges about ₹3,000 per musician, and public listings in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh start at around ₹10,000.
Updated 19 October 2026
What is band melam?
A band melam is a brass and wind band in uniform that plays on the move, so the procession can dance behind it. Bands range from a handful of players for a small baraat to dozens for a big festival procession. Some Hyderabad band companies have been playing for generations.
Band melam or sannai melam?
They play different parts of the day. Sannai melam is the small nadaswaram and dolu ensemble that plays the auspicious music for the rituals and the muhurtham. Band melam is the loud, marching brass band for the procession: the groom's arrival, the baraat, or a festival procession. Many families book both.
When does it play?
- The baraat: leading the groom's procession to the venue, or playing outside it as guests arrive
- Receptions and other wedding functions where the family wants a procession
- Ganesh immersion and other festival and temple processions
How much does band melam cost?
It depends on how many musicians come, how long they play, the date and any extras. As a guide, from 2026:
- A Hyderabad brass band told Telangana Today it charges about ₹3,000 per musician.
- A band melam package in Rajahmundry was listed at ₹10,000 for four musicians for three hours.
- Brass bands in Hyderabad list starting prices of about ₹10,000 per event on wedding sites, rising with the size of the band.
Extras such as lights, a decorated horse (ghodi) or a carriage cost more, as does travel outside the city. On Booksyte, you set your budget when you post, and bands apply with their own fee.
How to book
- Fix the muhurtham and the time the procession starts.
- Decide the size of band you want and how long it should play.
- Ask each band how many musicians come, how long they play, whether they wear uniform, and what extras cost.
- Agree the advance and when the rest is paid. On Booksyte you choose this when you post: after the function, or a 25% or 50% advance.
- Share the route, the start point and a contact person for the day.
Before the day, check
- Number of musicians, start time and how long they play
- Uniform, lights and any extras you want
- Travel, if the venue is outside the band's city
- The procession route, and whether you need police permission for it
- Sound rules: in 2024 Hyderabad police banned DJ systems, amplifiers and firecrackers in religious processions and restricted loudspeakers at night. Check with the band and local police what applies to your route and time.