The Tape That Binds: Kashmir's Enduring Love Affair with Sufi Music on Cassettes

In Kashmir, a committed group of Sufi music lovers still holds dear audio cassettes as the medium of choice for listening to and storing their favorite music. Even in an era of digital technologies, many feel that cassettes provide a special, touchable experience that adds to the spiritual quality of Sufi melodies. Old parties typically include cassette recordings, with digital versions being less popular because they cannot record the unique timbres of instruments such as the sarangi and santoor. Attempts to restore and save old cassette players are underway, pointing to the cultural importance of this medium in Kashmir.

 

Source: The Independent