RMIM Archive Article "364".
From the RMIM Article Archive maintained by Satish Subramanian
#
# RMIM Archives..
# Subject: Society of Indian Record Collectors
#
# Posted by: Veena S Nayak (vnayak@acsu.buffalo.edu)
# Date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 10:51:05 -0400
Friends,
I reproduce below a letter from Mr. Suresh Chandvankar, the
Secretary of the Society of Indian Record Collectors
(SIRC). But first, a few words about the Society.
A Brief Introduction to SIRC
-----------------------------
SIRC was established in Bombay in 1990 as a forum for record
collectors and music lovers. The move was initiated by the
Australian discographer, Michael Kinnear whose interest in
78 RPMs germinated when he was a recording engineer with HMV
in Bombay during the sixties.
The Society aims to preserve the wealth of Indian music
recorded on vinyl, particularly on 78 RPM records. It
freely disseminates information among members about the
collectors of old records and their collections with an
emphasis on preservation. Efforts are currently under way to
build a National Sound Archives, similar to the film
archives in Pune.
In addition, SIRC promotes awareness of and research in all
aspects of Indian musical culture. Social communication
among music lovers is fostered by monthly listening
sessions: informal get-togethers where recorded music on a
selected artist or theme is played. SIRC also publishes a
quarterly journal, The Record News, which comprises of
research articles, discographies, reports on the listening
sessions, reviews and notices.
Overseas membership is US $20 (annual) or US $200
(life). Life members are entitled to all back issues of the
journal (binding and postage extra). Please note that
membership does not require you to be a record collector.
Further information may be obtained by contacting
Mr. Chandvankar through
email: sschand@tifrvax.tifr.res.in
paper mail: 207 Parashar
TIFR Colony
Navy Nagar, Colaba
Mumbai 400 005
India
telephone: 91-22-2189726
fax: 91-22-2152110.
Or, if you are in a hurry to spend your money, send me an
email; I will send you the membership form. The usual
disclaimer applies: I have nothing to gain from potential or
actual transactions, et cetera.
Veena
P.S.: I have a sample copy of The Record News which
includes, among other things, details of listening sessions
on Vasant Desai, Majrooh Sultanpuri and Ram Narayan, and
discographies of Allaudin Khan and Vilayat Hussein Khan. I
can post these to the respective newsgroups, provided there
is sufficient interest.
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AN APPEAL
---------
Dear Sir,
'Society of Indian Record Collectors' (SIRC) is seven years
old now. You have witnessed it growing from the very
beginning. At present we have units at Solapur, Nanded,
Pune, Tuljapur and Goa. Monthly listening sessions are held
at these units and the response is encouraging. We also
publish a quarterly journal - 'THE RECORD NEWS' - with
twenty-four volumes released so far. We have about one
hundred Indian and fifty overseas members.
Managing committee of SIRC is now seriously considering the
possibility of creating a common depository for old
gramophone records, gramophones, catalogues, books, etc.
Such a collection may eventually lead to a sound archive and
will be useful for the generations to come in many ways. The
proposed depository will be created near Mumbai or Pune.
To realize this dream, we will need large amount of funds
and dedicated persons to help us in this venture. A rough
estimate of about five lakh Indian rupees (about half
million rupees) is worked out. This includes initial funds
required for a common place/building, etc. with required
facilities.
I herewith request you to consider this proposal and send me
your valuable comments, suggestions along with donations for
this purpose. The cheque/DD should be drawn in the name of
'SOCIETY OF INDIAN RECORD COLLECTORS'.
As you are a record collector/music lover, you will
appreciate the need for such an archive better. Please send
me the names and addresses of interested persons to whom
this appeal should be sent. I hope that with our collective
efforts we shall establish the archive and fulfill our dream
soon.
APRIL 1997
Yours sincerely,
Suresh Chandvankar
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From the RMIM Article Archive maintained by Satish Subramanian