Ahmedabad: It is 7.30pm and the counter at Gujarat Gramophone LP House in Amraiwadi has customers ranging from a retired govt employee to a college-going youth inquiring about the latest vinyl, like that of the recent blockbuster ‘Dhurandhar’, or an LP (long-playing) record of a Khayyam special.Sadguru Sharan, the owner of the shop — considered to be one of the only surviving formal shops exclusively selling records in the state — is not complaining. He has a collection of thousands of records accumulated over decades. “For the past one and a half years, we have witnessed a resurgence of the trend of buying a gramophone or an electronic disc player and then scouting for the records of choice,” Sharan says. “It of course is not a light hobby. The records cost anything between Rs 1,000 and Rs 4,000. But connoisseurs of analog music see them as collector’s items with a shelf life of decades.” But more importantly, youth are flocking to the shops too, driven by nostalgia for listening to gramophones in their childhood or youth. “Roughly one of every three to four records we sell goes to young listeners,” says Sharan. “We do not know about the online customers, but based on the records they order, right from Shah Rukh Khan special to ‘Rockstar’ and ‘Rang De Basanti’, it is possible that they also belong outside the typical clientele we associate with the 1950s and 60s of the Indian film music, ghazals, and classical music.” On the busy Gandhi Road near Manek Chowk, Ayub Shamsuddin is the third-generation owner of Gujarat Gramophone Repairing House. His shop is distinct with the gramophones outside heralding the craft. With the passage of time, the shop also repairs everything musical — from tape recorders to DVD players, even as the gramophones remain their speciality. “Ours is possibly the only repair shop for various brands of gramophones simply because over the decades the spare parts have accumulated, be it stylus or tonearm,” says Shamsuddin. “In the 1960s-70s, there were about 10-15 shops for gramophones and records in the city, and about five were here on Gandhi Road.” He adds that in the past couple of years, he has seen an uptick in the number of gramophones received and inquiries for restored gramophones for sale. He points to the diverse collection of vinyl in the shop that also includes tracks from Gujarati and Hindi plays and Gujarati Sugam Sangit and indicates that the analogue music has charmed generations. But it is not the case in his own family. “The customers — though loyal — are few and far between. My sons are in the automobile sector. My next generation might not be associated with gramophones,” rues Shamsuddin. But the new-generation connoisseurs are optimistic. Sharan points out that he acquired three vinyl records for ‘Dhurandhar’ as collector’s editions. He also has the vinyl of films such as ‘Umrao Jaan’, ‘Sholay’, ‘Chhava’, and ‘Pushpa’. “All are gone, and the demand for three more is already pending. Almost all major labels are now again making discs,” he says. “We are also sending vinyl to the US, the UK, Germany and Japan to name a few where the collectors demand specific artists or genres. For locals, it is the charm of checking the discs for quality.” Aficionados also point to niche cafés and private mehfils where the youngsters are now enjoying the charm of soft crackle before the song, the crystal-clear sound, and the magic of ‘lossless’ tracks that help listeners appreciate each instrument being played in ‘studio-quality’ music that feels warm. Divyansh Panchal, 18, is one of the new-age listeners who got hooked to discs through social media and peers. “Even though today we can access music from anyone, anywhere digitally, the feel of listening on a gramophone is completely different,” he says. “The analog sound just connects in a way that digital doesn’t.” Gramophones: The overture – Originally known as the phonograph, the gramophone earned its official name in the 1920s – Today, the term loosely stretches to include record players as well. While their numbers may be modest, the city is home to nearly 10-20 machines that may be 50-100 years old, according to estimates – In the past few years, the number has increased, primarily in digital record players that use an in-built amplifier, and do not require the horn, a distinct feature of early gramophones – Entry-level disc players start from about Rs 1 lakh and can go up to Rs 3-3.5 lakh depending on brand and features, said experts – Vinyl and shellac records, often crafted from lac, remain delicate companions to these machines – The discs start below Rs 1,000 and can go above Rs 5,000 based on availability and demand – When exposed to heat, the discs can bend, making careful storage essential. The majority of aficionados have their own boxes and storage spaces to keep discs vertically and safe from heat and moisture – If properly handled, the discs can last for decades, said experts. Many use vinyl records as embellishments or décor accessory to signify their interest in music In tune with the classics Ahmedabad: For Hemant Prajapati, 70, a gramophone is more than just a device. “Gramophones are unique as they do not run on electricity, and the young generation always gets fascinated by how the mechanics of a gramophone work,” he says. A legacy from his parents, he listens to his favourite tracks regularly.“Sweetness or natural sound of a gramophone cannot be compared to the best of speakers or players. I also have a radiogram, a blend of radio and record player with built-in amplifiers.” Prajapati says. “The maintenance cost of gramophones is very low, as they function perfectly fine if handled with good care.” Jitendra Patel, 65, another enthusiast, highlights the technical charm. “My gramophone is about 40 years old. The gramophone is the only physical medium through which one can truly experience the studio quality of music,” he says. “Clarity is so good that it feels like the artist is singing in front of me. I cannot expect it from digital mediums.” He says the new formats often fail to capture nuances such as high and low pitches. For Jayesh Mayatra, 63, gramophones are a link to the past. He has three gramophones, and all are functional. He also maintains 300-odd records, some older than half a century. “My father loved music, and that passion stayed with me,” says Mayatra. “As a child, I used to sit with him and listen, and that’s where it all began for me. Nostalgia keeps me invested.”
