Replaying the Sound of Yesteryears: Building My Music Cassette Tape Collection

Ever since moving to Bangalore, the change of scenery and my present lifestyle have helped me to discover my inner interests, in solitude. One of them was a wish to possess devices that helped croon the music tracks of yesteryears. Imagine your Gramophones, Vinyl or Cassette. More so was the desire to physically own and feel the sound.

Nostalgia - The Camry Tapes [Middle East (2005 - 2007)]

When I excitedly discussed the idea of buying a new player with my parents, it turned into a wholesome conversation to savor. We reminisced and I picked their brains about the cassette tapes we used to buy. It seems we often purchased tape collections like 'Hits of Yesudas' or 'Hits of M.G. Sreekumar', rather than movie-specific soundtracks. It was a throwback to the soundtracks that used to make us go 'wow' during a bygone era.

I have vivid memories of being strapped into the back of our old Camry car, while being driven to places such as church, relatives' houses and other places, with hit tracks like Manmizhi Poovu and Kando Kando from Mahasamudram, playing over the Dolby stereo, from cassette tapes.

These thoughts took me back to my old days in Dubai and a brought a need to own and listen to the tracks that I came to listen and fall in love with. I reminisce about these, more than often. 

The thrill of sliding in a tape, and rewinding to the track that hits the spot perfectly, is something that I long for

The old but faded stereo system in all it's glory!

It's Decision Time!

After analyzing the viability of owning either a Vinyl or a Cassette Player, I have finally decided to grab Fiio's CP13 Cassette Player. My reasoning to pick a cassette player over a turntable, was as follows:-

• Less availability of Malayalam Music Vinyl LP records
• Cost and Maintenance of Vinyl Player
• Space Constraints

Fiio's Cassette Player looked classy at first glance and I'm totally spoilt for choice between the Blue, Black and the Transparent one. 

My final desire is to own a Sony Walkman (Model - TPS-L2)

Credits : Sony Electronics (YouTube)

Next began the hunt for online stores that sell cassettes. Having come across Mossymart, AVDigital and BanuMass (god bless these online stores), I have shortlisted the following tapes for my initial binge:-

• His Highness Abdulla (1990)
• Manichrithrathazhu (1993)
• Minnaram (1994)
• Devaragam (1996)
• Varnapakittu (1997)
• Anathabhadram (2005)

The initial plan is to fill a cute looking tray with tapes from my favorite Malayalam Movies, including Devadoothan, Chronic Bachelor, Midhunam etc. and then slowly branch off to English (Rap, Hip Hop and R&B), depending on it's availability. Nonetheless, I'm excited to embark on this pastime, as much as I am enjoying, typing out this blog.

I'm relishing my future trips and experience of walking into vintage 'Audio & Video' stores in Bangalore and around Kerala, in search for more beloved tapes, that I would love to own and listen to. Add to that, the prospect of tucking in from eateries scattered around Bangalore, helping me to traverse places and see sights that I have never set sight on, before. It's truly something else, and I can't wait to experience it.

This will be a hobby that will help me travel around and pick up tapes that contain nostalgic music, which means a lot to childhood me. Add to that, the prospect of picking up a rare tape. I can't wait!

This blog entry was made on the day of Amazon's 'Great Indian Festival' 2024 and I can't honestly wait to forecast the number of tapes that I will own by the end of the year😁.