Music has been a constant presence in my life, shaping my memories, emotions and sense of self. It’s hard to explain how much it has meant to me over the years and how it has shaped who I am. Music was always part of our family. My grandmother, who helped raise me, would hum softly as she cooked or worked around the house. She loved classical Indian music and I think hearing her voice was one of my first connections to music.
Then there was my dad. He loved Western classical music, jazz, pop-rock and had an amazing record collection. For me, those records were like books. Each one felt like its own world, waiting to be explored. He would let me go through his collection and even taught me how to use the record player. I remember helping him clean the records, carefully putting them on the turntable and watching the needle drop. A few crackles in, the music came to life. It felt magical. Sometimes we even sang together! He’d play the guitar and teach me the lyrics, so I wasn’t just listening, I was also part of the music.
I still remember the first two albums my uncle bought for me! Thriller and Bad by Michael Jackson. I must’ve listened to them a hundred times. Later, in school, my love for music turned into something more personal. I started saving up to buy tapes on my own. Instead of taking the rickshaw all the way home, I’d ask the driver to drop me a kilometre or two early, just to shave a few rupees off the fare. By Saturday, I’d have just enough to go to the music store. That store felt like a treasure chest. The tapes were wrapped in plastic and each one was like a little mystery waiting to be discovered. There was an employee there who got to know my taste, like a friend pointing me toward new artists and albums. Each choice was a big decision and when I picked a tape, it became a part of me. I’d listen to every song, read the lyrics and feel a deep connection with each album.
Back then, I felt like I was building something of my own. Each album was a part of my identity. The music wasn’t just background noise; it was something I valued because it took effort and care to find it. I even made mixtapes, choosing each song carefully to create the perfect mix for friends or someone special. It was a way to share a piece of myself and I believe people understood that it meant something.
Things are very different now. With music subscription services, I can listen to almost any song or album with just a click. It’s very convenient and the app even tries to get to know me and make playlists just for me. But sometimes I wonder if something is missing. When everything is suggested for me, without any effort on my part, I don’t feel the same sense of discovery or connection. It’s as if the magic of finding something myself has been replaced by endless playlists, always playing but never really connecting. I listen, but I don’t feel as close to the music.
Sometimes I think we lose something when everything is so easy. When I had to save up and make a choice, I valued the music much more. It became part of who I was, rather than just something to listen to in the background. Maybe that’s a lesson worth keeping. Some things are worth taking the time to collect, to choose carefully and to invest in fully. When you do, it becomes a part of you, something you can look back on and feel proud of. Often, the things we work hardest for mean the most to us.