His Master's Voice

His Master’s Voice on vinyl: Bollywood, raga and the dog at the gramophone

In short: His Master’s Voice – HMV for short – is regarded as one of the oldest names in record history, known for the picture of the dog Nipper in front of the gramophone. The label belonged to the Gramophone Company, later to EMI. In India HMV was for decades one of the most important names in film music – which is why our selection focuses on Bollywood. The Vinyl Room currently has 8 records on His Master’s Voice.

From our stock

First pressings

Bollywood & Hindustani

New in

→ Ravi Shankar · Laxmikant-Pyarelal · Bollywood · Soundtracks on vinyl

What makes His Master’s Voice special?

Bollywood film music lives on its composers and lyricists: Naushad and Shakeel Badayuni wrote “Dil Diya Dard Liya”, Shankar-Jaikishan “Eent Ka Jawab Patthar”, Khayyam “Dard” and the duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal “Badaltey Rishtey” and “Dus Numbri” – orchestra, big melodies and singing for the cinema.

Plus India’s classical music: sitar player Ravi Shankar with tabla player Alla Rakha and the ragas Khamaj and Lalit. Noor Jehan, the “Melody Queen” from Pakistan, is here with a collection of her songs – and from England, Morrissey with “Kill Uncle”.

FAQ

Where does the name His Master’s Voice come from? From the painting of the dog Nipper listening to his master’s gramophone – it became the label’s trademark.

Why is there so much Bollywood on HMV? In India HMV was for decades one of the most important names in film music.

Who was Ravi Shankar? The famous Indian sitar player who made India’s classical music known in the West.

What do you have on His Master’s Voice? Mostly Bollywood film music and Indian classical music – 8 records in all.