Continuing our spotlight series called Favourite Finds, we ask some of our favourite DJs, collectors and selectors to tell us the story behind how they came across one of their most cherished records.

For the next instalment, we’ve asked multi-instrumentalist, producer, DJ and digger, Mera Bhai (aka Karthik Poduval) to give us an insight into a prized record from his collection.

As a founding member of the brilliant band Flamingods, a part of the Daytimers collective, alongside producing his own solo releases and DJing across the world, Karthik has totally immersed himself in the world of music. Born in London, with roots in India, alongside having spent time growing up in Italy, Albania, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Nigeria, Karthik’s tastes are influenced by this truly global outlook and palette. A unique blend which can be heard throughout his music and selections.

"This was one of the first Indian records I ever bought and was on one of the last trips I got to see my Dad in Chennai, before he passed. It’s from a Tamil film called Pudhiavan, sung by S.P Balasubrahmaniam and written by V.S Narsimhan, both hugely prolific careers that spanned decades of film music that soundtracked people’s lives in South India,

I’d been collecting dance records for years and it had only just occurred to me that digging in India was a whole new exciting world for me to dive into, especially after having grown up listening to those tunes.

I did a bit of research and found a phone number in a forum of someone who supposedly sold records in an electronics district downtown Chennai, so I called the guy and was given some very vague directions to this place. 

After wandering around for ages, and trying to get hold of the guy, we finally find him. He takes us up a few dusty flights of stairs and to a shutter which he pulls up. There it is.The room is piled from floor to ceiling with stacks and stacks of record. I couldn’t believe it.

You have to pick off a pile at a time to get anywhere - I knew there was no way I could go through them all this time. I started picking stuff up, there were original pressings of Stones and Beatles records - empty sleeves. Picked up Bollywood and Kollywood records, often with the wrong record in the wrong sleeve. So I had to go with my gut and try pick as efficiently as possible, with the help of my Dad. Focusing on records I knew or had a good feeling about rather than searching for rarities was the way to go.

After a few hours I’d grabbed maybe 20-30 records  - not knowing that the next time I came to that place, there would barely be anything left. It was a really special moment to share with my Dad, and that begun my journey of collecting vinyl from India and having another way to reconnect with my motherland."

Big thanks to Karthik for taking the time to tell us this story. Be sure to give him a follow to keep up to date with all his gigs, release and goings on.