My early days were in a sleepy little rural area called Vadakara. In early 1970s Vadakara was an extended village. We had an old GEC radio at home, which was the main source of listening to music. This was kept atop a Shelf, and I had to stand on a chair to reach it. All India Radio Calicut had some veterans from the field of Art and Literature as Program Directors, and the programs were of the highest quality. We did not own a record player, but could hear the melodious film songs which wafted through the cool rural breeze, that were played on a record player which inevitably was part and parcel of any local function. There was a beauty to the melodious songs waxing and waning, depending on the strength of the breeze.
We moved to Palghat in 1972, and by the time portable transistor radio had replaced our old GEC Valve radio. One 
could carry the Murphy (remember the cute baby in the Ad?) transistor wherever one goes, and the reception was much better than the Valve radio. Apart from AIR Calicut, we could also get AIR Madras, Radio Ceylon on the short wave. The Binaca Geethmala was a favourite of many, as was the malayalam songs from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm everyday. We were dependent on the songs that were broadcast, which may or may not be the ones we want.
could carry the Murphy (remember the cute baby in the Ad?) transistor wherever one goes, and the reception was much better than the Valve radio. Apart from AIR Calicut, we could also get AIR Madras, Radio Ceylon on the short wave. The Binaca Geethmala was a favourite of many, as was the malayalam songs from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm everyday. We were dependent on the songs that were broadcast, which may or may not be the ones we want. 
By mid 1970s, we had purchased our first music player - A Philips Record Player. I still remember going with my father proudly to the Philips showroom at the begining of the Big Bazar, opposite to the Bata Show Room, to buy this then aspirational product which cost a princely sum of Rs 1,600 then. We had only few records, which we played over and over. But at least we could listen to the song of our choice, even if the options to choose from were limited. And we had fun, playing the 33 rpm discs at 45 rpm speed and even at 78 rpm speed. We discussed threadbare about the 'diamond' stylus, scratches on the disc (it was really fun when there is a scratch on the disc, and the line kept repeating itself!!!). We even invited our friends to show-off our proud record player, and many were quite envious!! ................... to be continued
