One of the largest vinyl archives of South Asian music in the UK is set to go on display at the Manchester Museum.
The collection of 3000 vinyls was rescued in 2017 from the Oriental Star Agencies Store in Balsall Heath, Birmingham before it was forced to close.
Back in the 1980s, the records were initially played at BBC Radio West Midlands by Mohammed Ayub, Anita Bhalla and Farah Durrani as part of the ‘East in West’ radio show.
The new installation will play a selection of records alongside their vinyl covers, whilst revealing handwritten requests people sent in throughout the 1980s within the vinyl sleeves - providing an intimate look at the South Asian community in Birmingham at this time.
True Form Projects have archived the collection and will be exhibiting at Manchester Museum and The South Asia gallery in July supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The installation reveals handwritten requests people sent in throughout the 1980s within the vinyl sleeves
In 1970 Mohammed Ayub founded Oriental Start Agencies in Birmingham.
This record store and then label became one of the most influential and important parts of South Asian history and diaspora in the UK and world wide. Before the store had to close in 2017, the record collection and other artefacts were rescued in order to archive them and keep them protected for future generations.
As part of a 3-year project we are archiving over 3000 records and artefacts and will be collecting memories of the music and culture contained in these important records.
The exhibition launches on July 19.
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