A Collector's Dream
If you are nostalgic about the music of the bygone era; the golden years of Hindi music, the rare titles of Indian classical and Rock & Roll of that period, then you are not alone my friend. There are a lot of people out there who crave such music along with the old vinyl records that were played on turntables and gramophones which added an element of unspoken magnetism and charm. With the passage of time, vinyl records have become close to extinct and it’s becoming more and more difficult to hunt them down in Delhi however we gave it our best shot and found a few treasures.
Shah Music Centre
This gem of a place is not easy to reach and it takes some meandering through the maze of lanes in Meena Bazaar to finally arrive at this shop. Their collection of more than 50,000 titles will make you jump with joy, but don’t show this to the shop owner, or else he will surely jack up the price. This modest shop is run by Syed Akbar Shah with his able son. The LP vinyl records are stacked up everywhere and how the shopkeeper manages to whip out whichever title you have been longing for is an amazing spectacle in itself. The rarest of rare titles from the early era of Hindi Movies like Aagh, Guide & Ganga Jamuna to renditions of the great masters of Indian classical music and English Rock & Roll classics are found here Most titles cost around 150-300 rupees and they are worth every rupee spent. The owner will even play the title of your choice on his ancient turntable to make sure you’re satisfied.
Ph: | +91 11 2327 6090
Shah Music Centre | Shop No. 256, Meena Bazaar, Jama Masjid, New Delhi-06
Yaseen Music Centre
Right opposite the Shah Music shop is another less famous and distinct shop, smaller in size stocking an equally impressive collection of vinyl records run by Mr. Yaseen. Ask for Pyasa with its haunting numbers, the evergreen Sholay, or Begum Akhtar rendering her soulful thumris or if you are looking for English classics such as David Bowie or Cliff Richards, it won't disappoint. You will get them at prices that are a little cheaper than the Shah store however the variety may be lesser. There’s no harm in trying your luck! They too are priced at 150-300 rupees.
Ph: | +91 9871 224 631
Yaseen Music Centre | Shop No. K-152, Meena Bazaar, Jama Masjid, New Delhi-06
New Gramophone House
This is a better known place located in Chandni Chowk owned by Anuj Rajpal, selling over one lakh LP records. Although this shop too, is quite small in size it is a treasure trove for all the vintage music lovers. Along with rare vinyl records, the shop also sells forgotten Indian musical instruments, old hand wound Gramophones and turntables, harking back to the 60’s and 70’s era. If in the area, it is a must visit.
Ph: | +91 11 2327 1524
New Gramophone House | 31-B, 1st Floor, Pleasure Garden Market, Main Road, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi-06
Antique Vinyl Records
This place located at Wazirpur Industrial Area is owned by Mr. Lakhwant Singh who runs this place more from a pleasure and passion point of view. The establishment not only retails a huge range of vinyl records ranging from Punjabi, Indian & Classical to Western and Rock & Roll music etc. bus has records that are over 40 years old. It also exports to other countries like Canada, UK and Germany etc.
Ph: | +91 11 4144 3648, +91 9212 419 891
Antique Vinyl Records | A-95/6, Wazirpur Industrial Area, New Delhi-01
For the record, if you are lucky enough, you may also find some gems in the antique shops of Hauz Khas Village and at the Main Bazaar in Paharganj, but hurry before they are all gone.