Savouring A Slice Of India's Rich Crate-Digging Culture With Nishant Mittal
Man's World|February 2023
Chronicling his love story with over five decades of esoteric Indian music, New Delhi's Nishant Mittal spills on his triumphs and trials at the front lines of India's vinyl revolution
Sharan Sanil
Savouring A Slice Of India's Rich Crate-Digging Culture With Nishant Mittal

"All I knew about records was from watching Almost Famous and High Fidelity, the movies about the record shop owners," laughs Nishant Mittal AKA DigginginIndia, an entrepreneur, record collector, and music archivist based out of Delhi.

"I think I must have been 19 or 20. I didn't even know how it works at that time, I just bought it because I wanted to buy a record," chuckles Mittal, reminiscing about the first time he purchased a record a compilation named Discoparty2, curated by Hungarian music publisher Hungaroton and pressed by the Gramophone Company of India, Ltd. - a common marque you'll find on many pre-1990s record sleeves.

A gift to a friend, Discoparty2 would echo much of Mittal's future taste in music. Tempered with Pink Floyd and The Beatles in his youth, the 28-year-old eventually wandered through the discographies of Aretha Franklin and Miles Davis, before deep-diving in his early twenties into more esoteric genres, at least compared to the average Indian music enthusiast.

This meant a studied, enthusiastic diet of genres such as city pop, jazz, afro, funk, and eventually a tour across the history of Indian artists from jazz cats in the sixties, to rock and roll bands in the seventies, and of course, disco in the eighties.

Today, much of Mittal's work revolves around excavating these forgotten relics from India's past, primarily through highly curated uploads on his DigginginIndia persona, online. Here, Mittal explores everything from Bengali Boney M. covers to the intricacies of cover design, while tracing the culture of vinyl across the subcontinent with a delicate, passionate zeal.

The genesis, however, of Mittal's obsession with the Indian music rabbit hole, came through an early experience of discovering a very particular track, which was recorded over half a century ago.

Esta historia es de la edición February 2023 de Man's World.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición February 2023 de Man's World.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE MAN'S WORLDVer todo
Rekha At 70 The Enduring Mystique
Man's World

Rekha At 70 The Enduring Mystique

More than a generation after she was last seen on screen, the mystique that she successfully wrapped herself in continues to serve her well in the public imagination. Her fleeting public appearances in dazzling silk sarees and makeup continue to beguile the camera in the same manner it did at the peak of her career

time-read
7 minutos  |
October 2024
iPhone Fatigue
Man's World

iPhone Fatigue

Do we really need an annual Apple flagship release?

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 2024
Men's Guide To Combat Premature Hair Loss
Man's World

Men's Guide To Combat Premature Hair Loss

Male pattern baldness hit men at an early age, at times in late 30s and early 40s. We asked the experts the reason behind it, treatments that can help, and factors to take care of

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 2024
SMRITI MANDHANA MAKES CRICKET LOOK EASY
Man's World

SMRITI MANDHANA MAKES CRICKET LOOK EASY

In conversation with Man's World for Hyundai Drive Within campaign, the stylish Indian batter talks about her craft, evolution, and her thoughts on women's cricket

time-read
6 minutos  |
October 2024
Pritam Hitting The High Note
Man's World

Pritam Hitting The High Note

A National Award for Brahmastra: Part One Shiva this year and songs that continue to clock millions of streams, Pritam Chakraborty proves why he's one of the most acclaimed Hindi Film music directors of our time

time-read
10 minutos  |
October 2024
JEMIMAH RODRIGUES IS HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE
Man's World

JEMIMAH RODRIGUES IS HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE

In conversation with Man's World as a part of Hyundai Drive Within campaign, Jemimah Rodrigues take us through the drive within her that inspires her to be the best in her business.

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 2024
SHAFALI VERMA IN A LEAGUE OF HER OWN
Man's World

SHAFALI VERMA IN A LEAGUE OF HER OWN

In conversation with Man's World India as a part of the Hyundai Drive Within campaign, Shafali Verma opens up about her historic double century, her fearless brand of cricket, and more

time-read
6 minutos  |
October 2024
Hands Onl Seiko Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch SPB455 100th Anniversary Edition
Man's World

Hands Onl Seiko Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch SPB455 100th Anniversary Edition

Seiko's 100th anniversary of the first watch to bear its name brought an exciting addition to its famed Prospex collection; a timepiece that pays homage to the brand's iconic history while embracing modern ideas of versatile wearability

time-read
2 minutos  |
October 2024
WATCHES ON THE WILD SIDE ATYPICAL CASE DESIGNS
Man's World

WATCHES ON THE WILD SIDE ATYPICAL CASE DESIGNS

Horology isn't just about precision. It's also about understanding the rules of perception-and sometimes, taking a sledgehammer to them

time-read
7 minutos  |
October 2024
Denim The Timeless Trendsetter
Man's World

Denim The Timeless Trendsetter

Crystal Henricksen, Head of Denim Design at GAP, shares with us what makes the fabric simple, versatile, and timeless

time-read
6 minutos  |
October 2024