Growing up in Guangzhou, China, in the mid-1990s was a unique experience. This bustling southern city, close to Hong Kong, was a melting pot of cultures and sounds, especially when it came to music. Like many young people in Guangzhou, my elder brother and I were captivated by international music, and our window to the world of melodies was a Hong Kong radio station, AM681.
This wasn’t just any radio station; it was a non-stop stream of global music. Imagine tuning in and being met with song after song, without commercials or talk shows interrupting the rhythm. Their innovative approach was value-added service. If a song caught your ear and you wanted to know its name, you could call a hotline for a fee charged to your landline. For us, calling wasn’t an option. Our home phone was for local calls only, and international charges were out of reach. This meant many songs remained nameless treasures, including a particularly memorable, funky sitar Indian Song.
Decades have passed, and while many tunes from those radio days have faded from memory, the melody of that sitar-infused indian song remained vivid. The rhythmic drumming and distinctive sitar sound were unforgettable, constantly replaying in my mind. As the internet became accessible in the late 90s, my search began. With every new music app on my smartphone, I would periodically search for “sitar,” hoping to finally identify the song that had lingered in my thoughts for so long.
Then, just recently, after 25 years of searching, the answer appeared. During a routine online search for the elusive tune, I stumbled upon a forum post that held the key. The magic word was MATHAR. The internet, in its incredible way, had bridged the gap of years and connected me to the information I sought. Immediately, I shared the song with my brother. His reaction was pure excitement and amazement.
This isn’t just a story of finding a song; it’s a story of gratitude. Thank you to the online community for making this discovery possible. Your willingness to share information is truly appreciated. It’s a testament to the power of the internet to connect people and resolve even the longest-standing musical mysteries.
