In the quiet corners of Sumant Batra’s collection lies a resonant chronicle of India’s auditory history. His assemblage of vintage radios transcends their primary function as mere machines; they are sculptural artefacts and silent witnesses to the dawn of mass communication in the nation. Each set, from a majestic German-built Telefunken to a humble, locally crafted Murphy, is not an inanimate object but a piece of art, meticulously designed to be a centrepiece of the Indian home.
These radios are treasures of industrial design, where form was as considered as function. Their wooden cabinets, crafted from rich teak or warm walnut, exhibit the elegance of fine furniture, adorned with intricate grilles, polished Bakelite knobs, and art deco accents. They represent an era when technology was housed in bespoke shells, meant to be displayed with pride in a living room, not hidden away. The soft glow of the vacuum tube, the satisfying click of the rotary dial, and the distinct scent of warm wood and old electronics were all part of a multisensory experience.
More profoundly, Sumant’s collection is a tangible archive of India’s broadcasting heritage. These were the very instruments through which a young nation heard momentous declarations—the voice of Mahatma Gandhi, the stirring speeches of Nehru, and the collective cheers during cricket victories. They unified a diverse country, bringing news, classical music, and radio plays into millions of households, shaping a common cultural identity.
Sumant Batra’s radios are far more than obsolete electronics. They are sculptural masterpieces that capture a specific design ethos and invaluable historical relics. They stand as beautiful, silent monuments to the sounds that once filled the airwaves, echoing the story of a nation finding its modern voice.
Sumant Batra is the Founder and Managing Trustee of Indian Cinema Heritage Foundation. Indian Cinema Heritage Foundation is a public charitable trust set up to establish and operate Indian cinema heritage museum, archive, library, research and resource centre, and cultural spaces. The Foundation undertakes preservation, restoration and conservation of cinema and related memorabilia, artefacts, equipment, books, magazines, other material related to cinema history and heritage. It also undertakes research and documentation of the history and heritage of Indian cinema and its people, and preserve the legacy of the people who have contributed to Indian cinema. The Foundation is documenting the contribution of artists and technicians from Goa to Indian cinema.
For more details, visit www.cinemaazi.com/ichf
