Probably one of the most beautiful label designs in my collection – here we have a recording on the Lotus label, short-lived Indian label on the The Diamond Record Company of Bombay. Records on this label were manufactured by the National Gramophone Record Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Recordings for this label were made electrically, so the sound quality is quite good. Pressing and shellac also appear to be very good quality. The label ceased operations in 1942.
The title on the A side “તોયે તમી હસી લ્યો” seems to be an encouragement to laugh/smile, despite something bittersweet that may have occurred.
The title on the B side “સહન કંધ કરતાં લીજો” seems to be a kindly request to please continue to carry a burden and endure a weight on your shoulders.
At 78 rpm, the disc sounded slightly sped up and did not cleanly correspond to a key that a harmonium of the time would have reproduced. At a little under 76 rpm, the disc centered on a Sa corresponding to Eb, which seemed to sound most natural and made the most sense. The slightly slower tempo also seemed to complement the nature of the meditative performance and poetic lyrical themes.
You can compare this transfer to a faster tempo transfer at
https://archive.org/details/a_20210718_202107/LOTUS+S+1005+D+1057+-+TOYE+TAMEN+-+MASTER+MURARI.mp3
Let me know what you think.
Likely recorded in Bombay, India circa 1937.
Released as Lotus S.1005
Credits:
Master Murari – vocals
Unknown Artists – harmonium (?), unknown instrument, tabla
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