Magnasound Records

Magnasound Records was an Indian record company established in 1989 by Shashi Gopal, his wife Kalpana, and his brother-in-law Madhav Das. The founders financed the venture with their personal savings, reported in the available reference material as a total of six lakh rupees. The label operated during a period when India's recorded-music market was developing rapidly and when independent labels played an important role in introducing newer performers to national audiences. The company built its identity around a broad Indian music portfolio rather than a single genre. Its catalogue included Indian classical music, Indian rock, and Indipop. In the early 1990s, Magnasound became associated with signing and promoting younger or then-emerging artists, including Daler Mehndi, Baba Sehgal, and Alisha Chinai. It also released material by the rock groups Rock Machine and 13AD. These signings placed the label within the growth of contemporary Indian popular music, particularly the expansion of non-film pop and rock alongside established classical and playback traditions. Magnasound's roster was not limited to new performers. Established artists such as A. R. Rahman and Asha Bhosle also released albums through the label, giving the company a combination of emerging-artist development and higher-profile catalogue activity. The available material identifies OMI Music Inc. as Magnasound's distributor, although it does not provide further detail on the length or commercial terms of that relationship. Shashi Gopal served as Magnasound's managing director. The company ultimately wound up in 2003, ending its operations as a record label. Following Magnasound's closure, Madhav Das established another label, Bayshore Music. He later moved into print publishing and edited the film magazine South Side for GV Films. Magnasound is therefore remembered primarily for its role in India's independent and popular-music ecosystem during the late 1980s and 1990s, particularly its support for Indipop and rock artists, rather than as a currently operating music company.

Magnasound Records was founded in India in 1989 by Shashi Gopal, Kalpana Gopal, and Madhav Das. The three founders reportedly started the business with their combined life savings of six lakh rupees. The company entered the recorded-music business at a time when Indian labels were serving several overlapping audiences: listeners of classical music, consumers of film-related and popular recordings, and a growing audience for independent rock and pop. Magnasound developed a catalogue across Indian classical music, Indian rock, and Indipop. Its early-1990s reputation was closely connected with its willingness to sign younger artists and contemporary acts. The label's associated performers included Daler Mehndi, Baba Sehgal, and Alisha Chinai, as well as the rock bands Rock Machine and 13AD. This activity placed Magnasound among the labels helping to expand the commercial visibility of non-film pop and rock in India. The company's catalogue also included albums by prominent established artists. A. R. Rahman and Asha Bhosle are identified in the available reference material as artists who released albums through Magnasound. The combination of newer acts and recognized performers gave the label a varied profile rather than restricting it to one musical audience. Magnasound's releases were distributed by OMI Music Inc.; the available sources do not specify the full scope or duration of that distribution arrangement. Shashi Gopal was Magnasound's managing director. The company eventually wound up in 2003. Afterward, Madhav Das founded Bayshore Music, another label, before later moving into print and film publishing. He edited the film magazine South Side for GV Films. Magnasound's lasting significance lies in its contribution to India's independent-recording landscape, especially its support for Indipop and rock performers during the 1990s, alongside its work in classical and established popular music.

• 2003

  Magnasound winds up

  [1]Magnasound Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The record company ceased operations.

• 1990

  The label develops an emerging-artist reputation

  [1]Magnasound Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  During the early 1990s, Magnasound became associated with signing younger artists and contemporary acts, including Daler Mehndi, Baba Sehgal, Alisha Chinai, Rock Machine, and 13AD.

• 1989

  Magnasound Records is founded

  [1]Magnasound Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Shashi Gopal, Kalpana Gopal, and Madhav Das established Magnasound Records using their combined personal savings.

An Indian independent record label with a broad catalogue spanning classical music, rock, and Indipop, noted for signing emerging contemporary artists while also issuing albums by established performers.

• Recorded music

  Indian classical music releases

  Magnasound's catalogue included recordings in the Indian classical tradition. The available sources identify this as one of the label's principal areas, but do not provide a complete list of albums, performers, or release dates.

• Recorded music

  Indian rock releases

  The company issued Indian rock recordings and was associated with bands including Rock Machine and 13AD. These releases formed part of Magnasound's contemporary-music identity during the 1990s.

• Recorded music

  Indipop releases

  Magnasound released Indipop material by artists such as Daler Mehndi, Baba Sehgal, and Alisha Chinai. The label's work in this area contributed to its reputation for supporting newer Indian popular-music performers.

• 2003

  The company winds up its record-label operationsStrategy

  Background

  Magnasound ended its operations as a record company after more than a decade in the Indian music market.

  Action taken

  The label was wound up.

  Aftermath

  Co-founder Madhav Das subsequently launched Bayshore Music and later moved into print and film publishing.

  Source

1. 1Magnasound Recordsen.wikipedia.org