Forgotten Bollywood Record Labels That You Can Still Find Online While His Master’s Voice (HMV) and EMI dominated the Bollywood vinyl record scene for decades, they weren’t the only players in the game. During the mid-20th century, a number of smaller, lesser-known record labels played a vital role in shaping the Bollywood music industry. These labels may have faded from public memory, but their influence lives on through the vinyl records they left behind. Today, many of these forgotten labels have become hidden gems for collectors, offering rare soundtracks, regional cinema albums, and obscure musical experiments that are hard to find elsewhere. The good news is that with a little searching, these records can still be found online. One such forgotten name is Polydor India, later known as Music India. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Polydor was behind several cult Bollywood albums, including Shaan, Disco Dancer, and Suraksha. Known for promoting composers like Bappi Lahiri and R.D. Burman during the rise of disco and synth-pop in Bollywood, Polydor often released albums with bold, vibrant cover designs. The label also experimented with non-film music and regional artists, making their records appealing for those interested in genres beyond mainstream Hindi film songs. You can still find original Polydor India pressings on websites like Discogs and eBay, though prices are rising as collectors rediscover the catalog. Another name that deserves recognition is The Gramophone Company of India’s sub-label Angel Records. Although technically under the HMV umbrella, Angel was used to release classical music, devotional tracks, and more refined soundtracks like Umrao Jaan and Bazaar. These records often featured elegant cover art and were marketed to an older or more musically sophisticated audience. Angel LPs are less common in casual collections but regularly appear in specialized online stores and auctions. Their scarcity and niche appeal make them valuable additions for serious collectors. Odeon Records, another sub-label active in India, also played an important role in the early years of Indian film music distribution. Originally a German company, Odeon was absorbed into EMI and had a brief but influential run in India. Early Bollywood soundtracks on 78 RPM shellac discs were sometimes issued under the Odeon label. Though finding them in playable condition today is difficult, these discs are highly prized by collectors for their historical value. Online, they surface occasionally on collector platforms and vintage music auction sites, though prices can vary widely based on condition. Shalimar Records is another lesser-known label that gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. Unlike the giants, Shalimar specialized in low-budget film soundtracks and devotional music. Many of their releases never made it to CD or streaming platforms, which makes their vinyl pressings particularly rare. While the sound quality might not match that of HMV or Polydor, the music itself—often quirky, experimental, and rooted in folk styles—has its own charm. These records are sometimes overlooked by casual buyers, which means you can still find good deals online if you know what to search for. INRECO (Indian Record Company), based in Kolkata, focused heavily on regional cinema and non-film music. While their catalog included some Hindi film releases, they’re best known for Bengali, Tamil, and devotional music records. INRECO vinyl is especially popular among collectors who are interested in regional diversity or rare LPs of Rabindra Sangeet and Bhakti music. Many of these records are still circulating in second-hand markets and can be found on Indian online vinyl stores and auction sites. Because they often flew under the radar, pricing can be surprisingly affordable. T-Series, now one of the biggest names in Indian music, also released vinyl in the early years of its operations, though in smaller quantities. Early T-Series vinyl releases include devotional albums, remix compilations, and a few low-budget film soundtracks. These records are much harder to find than their cassette counterparts, making them an interesting target for collectors trying to trace the label’s early days. Some international collectors now actively seek out early T-Series vinyl due to the brand’s current dominance in digital platforms. The resurgence of vinyl has brought many of these forgotten labels back into focus. Collectors who once focused solely on HMV pressings are now turning their attention to these smaller companies, realizing the depth and richness they bring to the story of Bollywood music. Each label had its own sound, aesthetic, and vision—whether it was Polydor’s dance-floor hits, Angel’s classical elegance, or Shalimar’s underground flavor. Online, websites like Discogs, eBay, India Vinyl Records, and even social media vinyl communities are the best places to look. Typing the label name along with “Bollywood LP” or “Hindi film record” in search bars can often yield surprising results. Keep an eye on condition, catalog numbers, and cover art to ensure authenticity and value. In conclusion, while many of these Bollywood record labels may have been overshadowed by giants like HMV, they played a crucial role in the evolution of Indian music. Their vinyl releases represent forgotten corners of Bollywood history that are waiting to be rediscovered. For collectors, exploring these labels is not just about finding rare records—it’s about uncovering stories, sounds, and moments that shaped India’s musical landscape. <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com/vinyl-records-12/bollywood-vinyl-records">Bollywood Vinyl Records</a><br> <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com/vinyl-records-12/classical-lp-record">Classical Vinyl Records</a><br> <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com/vinyl-records-12/devotional-vinyl-records">Devotional Vinyl Records</a><br> <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com/vinyl-records-12/dialogue-vinyl-records">Dialogue Vinyl Records</a><br> <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com/vinyl-records-12/dj-lp-records">Dj Remix Vinyl Records</a><br> <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com/vinyl-records-12/english-lp-record">English Vinyl Records</a><br> <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com/vinyl-records-12/film-hits-vinyl-record">Film Hits Vinyl Records</a><br> <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com/vinyl-records-12/ghazals">Ghazals Vinyl Records</a><br> <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com/vinyl-records-12/instrumental">Instrumental Vinyl Records</a><br> <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com/vinyl-records-12/non-filmi-lp-records">Non Filmi LP Records</a><br> <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com/vinyl-records-12/punjabi-lp-vinyl">Punjabi Vinyl Records</a><br> <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com/vinyl-records-12/rare-vinyl-records">Rare Vinyl Records</a><br> <a href="https://onlinevinylshop.com">Online Vinyl Shop</a>