Audio stores that live on the sound of nostalgia

In an era dominated by Spotify and YouTube, CDs and cassettes seem almost miraculous relics. These mediums were once the only medium of music in the 1980s and '90s, with cassettes reigning first until CDs took the stage.

Though those days have long faded, a handful of Dhaka's shops still defy the information age, selling CDs and cassettes. Their survival in this age of Internet music remains an enduring testament to their resilience.

These shops thrived across the capital. Some even offered song recording services. Dhaka's music stores were a haven for foreign band enthusiasts in those days, fostering a generation of passionate music lovers and contributing to the popularity of band music in Bangladesh.

Photo: TBS

They not only sell music in old formats; they offer a nostalgic embrace of tangible music and the charismatic individuals who run these music sanctuaries.

While only a handful of previous-generation music enthusiasts still purchase physical media, these stores remain a valuable source for rare and unavailable songs that cannot be found online.

They offer a glimpse into the past glory days of music, providing a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of bygone musical eras. If anyone is keen to explore the thrilling history of music, these establishments are the places to visit.

Kabir Bhai's Rainbow

For many music lovers growing up in the 1980s or the '90s, Elephant Road was where Western music lived. Three iconic stores, Rhythm, Sur Bichitra, and Rainbow once delivered the latest collections of Western music in the pre-internet era. Sur Bichitra and Rhythm have since closed their doors, but Rainbow still lives.

Rainbow was founded by music aficionados Abdul Quader Murad and Humayun Kabir, belovedly known as "Kabir Bhai" to a whole generation. Their shared love for Western music led to the inception of Rainbow in August 1981.

Rainbow began by copying songs from LPs (long plays) to cassettes. In the 1990s, the store began to copy songs from CDs. Their collection included classics, pop, rock, and country to jazz, blues and hard rock.

Kabir Bhai was as significant to Rainbow's customers as music itself. His profound musical knowledge meant he always had answers at the ready for any question posed by the store's regulars about music.

Recalling Kabir Bhai, a Rainbow fan named Russell Haque wrote on Facebook, "The hair, the beard, the attire, the talking style and the personality – he was a true influencer. Jim Morrison and Ronnie James Dio probably influenced him, or at least that's what I thought."

Kabir Bhai resides abroad today, but Rainbow's spirit persists at Coffee House Goli on Elephant Road, under the stewardship of Mokhlesur Rahman Mukul. Joining Rainbow in 1994 to write CD tracklists, Mukul now operates the shop independently.

"No one sells CDs of foreign songs in Dhaka city anymore, I am the only one who survived," Mukul said.

Music fans of the golden era of Rainbow are also today's customers. Mukul told The Business Standard. "The shop remains open thanks to a modest profit and the support of our dedicated well-wishers who keep returning to make purchases, ensuring its sustainability."

Nestled on the ground floor of the BS building, the shop, though smaller in size than its past glory, boasts an impressive collection of approximately ten thousand original CDs and LPs. The enduring motto adorning their store remains unchanged: "Where Music Never Ceases."

The last music stores of Aziz Market

When Aziz Market was not filled with clothing shops, it was a hub of art and literature. Its labyrinthine alleys used to teem with writers and publishers. Bookstores adorned every floor, while music stores offered CDs and cassettes as part of this cultural haven.

Today, Aziz Market has only two remaining music stores as a testament to the past. One such gem is Surer Mela, established in 1997 by the music enthusiast Riaz Mahmood. Following his sudden passing in 2012, the shop is now managed by his sister, Shamima Jasmine, along with two employees.

Surer Mela once boasted an extensive collection of local and foreign music, with a special emphasis on classical melodies. They even had their own recording production, particularly dedicated to classical and Rabindra Sangeet.

"Classical music and Rabindra Sangeet were the heart of our production. Surer Mela was renowned for its classical music offerings. Weekly song updates were advertised in newspapers," Shamima reflected.

However, sales have dwindled since 2015, with only a handful of monthly buyers. When asked why they continue to sell cassettes, Shamima answered, "I do it as a tribute to my brother, who dedicated himself to this store. Alongside cassettes, we also offer a range of stationery products."

Sur Kollol was another music store in Aziz Market. The owner, Mohammad Hashem, still keeps some CDs and long plays on one side of the shop. He said the product is there, but hardly any sales. "People rarely buy these. When they do, it is for collection."

Pathak Somabesh is located on the opposite side of the Aziz Market. Although primarily a bookstore now, there are still some CDs and DVDs in one corner. Among the CDs, the recordings of Nazrul and Rabindra Sangeet are more in number.

The shop also houses timeless Bhawaiya songs of Rathindranath Roy. It is a treasure trove for any music connoisseur, but these gems seldom find new homes these days.

Palash Chandra Das, deputy general manager Pathak Samabesh, said he had never seen anyone buying these. "Even in 2015, at least one or two were sold monthly. We bought the CDs. If anyone likes them, they can buy them from us. We use these to play songs here."

Patuatuli was synonymous with CDs and cassettes

For music lovers, Patuatuli is a name that resonates deeply. It was the epicentre of a thriving CD and cassette industry, so much so that Patuatuli and music recording became synonymous. Here, both novices and established artists, spanning genres from folk (palagan) to religious sermons (waaz), found their voices etched onto tape.

Several music stores on the second floor of Nurul Haque Market still sell cassettes. Abdul Hamid started this business in 2000. At that time, cassettes of Indian Hindi and Bengali songs were hotcakes.

"Lata, Sandhya, Hemanta, Kumar Sanu, Satinath, Manna Dey, what didn't we sell? Bangladeshi film songs, Abdul Jabbar, Abdul Hadi, Andrew Kishore, Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin – all were in our collection. If anyone wants, they can still get CDs from us," said Hamid.

Music CDs have declined in sales, but some stores like Hamid Recording Centre have adapted by offering recording services, including waaz, election campaigns, and palagan. They also transfer videos from old cassettes, VCRs, and DVDs to modern memory cards, charging between Tk200 and Tk300 for the service.