Growing up in Guangzhou, China, in the mid-1990s was a vibrant experience, heavily influenced by the nearby pulse of Hong Kong. Like many youngsters in this dynamic southern city, my elder brother and I were captivated by international music. Our gateway was a Hong Kong radio station, AM681, a non-stop music haven. It was pure audio bliss – songs from across the globe streamed endlessly without interruption from ads or talk shows. Their unique business model hinged on added-value service; if a listener wanted to identify a song, they could call a premium hotline.
Of course, calling wasn’t an option for us. The cost was prohibitive, and our basic domestic landline couldn’t even make international calls. This meant many captivating melodies remained nameless, lost to time – or so we thought. Among these unidentified gems was a particular funky sitar Indian song. While countless tunes from those years have faded from memory, the distinctive sound of the sitar and its rhythmic drumming remained vividly etched in our minds, looping endlessly in our heads.
From the late 1990s, as internet access became available, the search began. Years later, with music apps on smartphones, the quest continued. I’d periodically search for “sitar,” hoping to stumble upon the answer to this decades-old question.
And tonight, after 25 years, is that day.
During a routine online search for this elusive song, I stumbled upon a forum post that held the key. The magic word? MATHAR. The internet, indeed, is a portal to a magical world, connecting information and people across vast distances.
I immediately shared the discovery with my brother. His excitement and amazement mirrored my own.
This isn’t just a story of musical rediscovery; it’s an expression of immense gratitude. To the online community who helped solve this decades-long mystery, thank you. Your kindness in sharing this information is deeply appreciated.
With heartfelt thanks to @eddiemcgarrigle
