By xivan 
India’s vinyl record history is as vast and diverse as the country itself. While Bollywood soundtracks, classical ragas, and timeless film songs dominate the popular imagination, a deeper dive reveals a treasure trove of strange and unusual vinyl records that defy expectations. These records come from unexpected genres, contain curious themes, or reflect unique moments in India’s cultural landscape. For collectors and music enthusiasts willing to explore beyond the mainstream, these peculiar Indian vinyl records offer a fascinating glimpse into the quirky, experimental, and sometimes downright bizarre side of the country’s music heritage.
1. Charanjit Singh – Synthesizing: Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat
This album deserves special mention not only because of its innovative sound but also for how unusual it was at the time of release. Charanjit Singh, a Mumbai-based musician, blended Indian classical ragas with early electronic instruments like the Roland TR-808 drum machine and synthesizers in 1982. Long before acid house gained global popularity, Singh’s record merged traditional Indian melodies with disco beats, creating an otherworldly soundscape. The record went largely unnoticed until rediscovered decades later, and its original vinyl pressings have become coveted rarities. It is an unexpected fusion of East and West, analog and digital, tradition and futurism.
2. Bhupinder Singh – Sad Songs for Strange People
Bhupinder Singh, known for his soulful voice in Bollywood, released an album in the 1970s with an eccentric title that matched its eclectic mix of bluesy and melancholic tunes. The record stands out for its jazzy undertones and the singer’s experimentation with genres uncommon in mainstream Indian music of that era. Its blend of soft rock, jazz, and folk, delivered in Hindi and Punjabi, makes it a unique addition to any vinyl collection looking for something out of the ordinary.
3. Dev Anand & Lucky Ali – Poetic Experimental Collaborations
While Dev Anand is primarily remembered as a legendary Bollywood actor and filmmaker, some vinyl pressings feature his rare spoken word performances and poetic musings. One such unusual record includes collaborations with singer Lucky Ali, where poetic narration blends with experimental music in English and Hindi. These records aren’t widely known but provide a surreal listening experience that blurs the line between music and performance art.
4. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Recordings
One of the most surprising entries in the world of Indian vinyl is the release of audio from the Indian Space Research Organisation. In the 1970s and 80s, ISRO pressed records containing satellite telemetry signals, communication beeps, and radio transmissions. While these records are not for casual listening, they have become collector’s items for those fascinated by space history and India’s scientific milestones. The existence of such records is a testament to the diverse applications of vinyl beyond entertainment.
5. Psychedelic Bollywood Soundtracks
The late 60s and early 70s Bollywood films sometimes featured psychedelic influences, with soundtracks that stand out for their strange arrangements and experimental instrumentation. Records like “Anand” (1971) or “Johny Mera Naam” include unusual use of electric guitars, sitars, and echo effects that reflect the global psychedelic wave. These soundtracks create an eerie and captivating atmosphere that feels surprisingly modern despite their vintage origins.
6. Folk Fusion Records from Northeast India
The northeastern states of India have a rich tradition of folk music, but vinyl records from this region often show unexpected fusions with rock, blues, and electronic sounds. Albums produced by independent labels and local artists sometimes contain tracks mixing tribal drums, traditional vocal styles, and modern instrumentation. These records challenge conventional Indian music stereotypes and offer a sonic adventure into lesser-known cultural expressions.
7. Spoken Word and Political Propaganda Records
During the Emergency period (1975-77) and other politically charged times, vinyl was used as a medium for political messaging. Propaganda records featuring speeches, patriotic songs, and slogans were pressed in limited quantities and distributed to the public. Some of these records have survived and reveal an unusual facet of Indian vinyl history where music intersected with political activism and state propaganda. They are eerie reminders of a turbulent period.
8. Yoga and Meditation Records with Binaural Beats
India’s spiritual traditions have inspired numerous vinyl records intended for meditation, yoga, and healing. Some of the more unusual releases include binaural beats and ambient soundscapes designed to alter brainwaves and induce trance-like states. These records blend chanting, nature sounds, and electronic effects in ways that might seem strange to Western listeners but are rooted in India’s mystical heritage. Collectors interested in spiritual music find these vinyls to be intriguing artifacts.
9. Regional Language Comedy and Satire Albums
Vinyl records in regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and Bengali sometimes feature comedy skits, satirical songs, and humorous storytelling that would rarely appear on mainstream Bollywood LPs. These records capture local humor, social commentary, and folk theater traditions, often with quirky sound effects and dialogue. Their rarity and cultural specificity make them prized for collectors seeking a slice of India’s diverse linguistic and artistic landscape.
10. Bollywood Remix and Disco Experimentations of the 1980s
In the 1980s, some Indian record labels released vinyl singles that mixed traditional Bollywood songs with disco, funk, and early electronic beats. These vinyl records sometimes feature bizarre remix titles and cover art that seem kitschy by today’s standards but represent an adventurous phase of Indian pop music. The combination of synthetic basslines with filmi vocals creates a quirky and nostalgic vibe that many collectors enjoy for its novelty.
Indian vinyl record universe is far richer and stranger than the typical image of film soundtracks and devotional music suggests. From futuristic electronic ragas to space agency transmissions, from political propaganda to psychedelic Bollywood, the spectrum of strange and unusual Indian vinyl is vast and fascinating. These records offer more than music—they are cultural time capsules that reflect India’s complex, vibrant, and often unexpected artistic spirit.
For collectors, hunting down these oddities is both a challenge and a delight. They provide a window into forgotten experiments, regional eccentricities, and bold musical fusions that defy easy categorization. Exploring these records reminds us that India’s musical history is not only about preserving the familiar but also about celebrating the wonderfully strange and unusual.
