Ritikas article

Collecting is a passion and collectors will spend a lot of money and time on this privilege. Isar Nabi Qureshi, is a hardcore music collector and Beatles buff. His collection of 400 plus record players, and over 15000 vinyl and shellac records amply illustrates this. His record collection, is eclectic to say the least, and encompasses a huge range of music, including Rock, Jazz, Country, Western Classical,Bollywood and all Indian and regional language records. It is his 5000 records strong Beatles collection however that he most reveres.
Isar who buys old record players and restores them, tells us that they are evidence of man's quest for perfect sound and ideally suited to listening to old music. The turntable is his pick and he has perfectly calibrated it and added amplifiers and equalizers, for a wonderful listening experience. Isar's love for music began when he was about 7 years old. It was at a Diwali fete that he won a mono Phillips record player and two Beatles EP records. " Those Beatles tracks had a really great effect on my perception of music" , he ponders aloud. Later in the 80s when records started going out of vogue, Isar went to Mumbai, and there at the Rhythm House he saw records being sold for Rs 20 each. It was then that he bought his first Beatles record, 'Revolver'. And thus began a lifelong passion for collecting their music. The movie 'The Birth Of the Beatles' , further fuelled this passion of his.
The Beatles were the most popular and accomplished musicians of the last century. These self taught musicians from Liverpool, England created music that continues to evolve in its form and depth . From their early days, to the music they created at the Abbey Road Studios, they gave the world true music .The bands first single "Love Me Do" released in October 1962. Their first appearance in the U.S. was in February 1964. They participated in several tours and live performances carving a permanent place for themselves. Isar's collection tracks the complete journey of the Beatles,. He has their best loved tracks like ,Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band , Meet the Beatles, The Beatles Yesterday and Today, A Hard Day's Night, Rubber Soul , The White Album,Beatles for Sale, Love Songs, Oldies but Goldies, Beatles Rock N Roll and their last album Abbey Road to name a few ,on Capitol , Apple and Parlophone records.
He travels around the country to source these records. "It's a terrific investment, but its my passion ", he admits. Isar also has doubles , unused records and Beatles memorabilia. He is quick to add that nothing in his collection is for sale. "It's just for the listening pleasure of people", he clarifies. Isar shares his passion with anyone who wishes to rediscover the Beatles and their music, and has a constant stream of Beatles buffs visiting him . Infact when The Bootleg Beatles were touring Pune, they visited his home , to see his collection. A virtual treasure trove of Beatles trivia , he can tell you all about how the Beatles started their own record company, and the Paul is dead hoax. Indeed Isar's unadulterated passion for the Beatles and their music goes beyond a mere hobby, and is a lifelong journey of trying to unravel and understand their music.
By Ritika Ramtri Kumar