Founded in 1932, at Hathras, India, Sangeet Karyalaya was originally known as Garg and Co. It was the the time of the British Raj, and Indian Music lay far away from the masses, closeted in palaces and temples, with access limited only to the rich and affluent. The wisdom accumulated through centuries of deep learning and evolution lay locked in books far beyond the reach of the common man, in the libraries of the nobility.

It was within such a background of adversity that "Kaka Hathrasi", Shri Prabhulal Garg, decided to revive and breathe new life in Indian Classical Music and bring it to the common man. He engaged in extensive research, detailed study and mammoth investigations on this great art form. He painstakingly gathered works of the great artists and kings in Sanskrit, Hindi, English, Marathi, Gujarati and Urdu in one forum from all over India.

The classics of Indian Music were beyond the comprehension of the average man and hence Kaka Hathrasi analysed and rewrote the classics in the language of the layman.

To make music reach out into every household and make it an integral part of the lives of people, Kaka Hathrasi published a monthly magazine "SANGEET" in the year 1935. The magazine elaborated on the nuances and intricacies of the classical art forms including the forms of Dhrupad, Dhamaar, Bhajans, Geet, Ghazal, Thumri, Tarana, Quawwali, Folk Music, Taals, Dance and Film Music. An essential part of the magazine was the regular appearance of biographies of famous and not so famous musicians, lyricists and artists.

Sangeet Karyalaya's endeavors bore fruit and gradually Indian Music moved out of the exclusive preserves of the privileged few and slowly weaned itself into the homes of the masses. The man on the street was now familiar with terms of music and literature, musical instruments, musicians, dancers and other artists. "SANGEET" had carved a niche for itself. The overwhelming response and enthusiastic popularity of Sangeet Karyalaya paved the way for other musicians and music lovers to create similar institutions and publish music classics.