The man who introduced Bengal to the world of gramophone was FW Gaisberg, the first recording engineer of the Gramophone Company. From 1900 to 1907, he made several trips to Kolkata and other parts of India, urging local entrepreneurs to join him in his venture to start sound recording in India. In 1902, Gaisberg made the first disc recording of Indian artistes. The singer Gauhar Jan of Kolkata was the first Indian and Bengali artist to have her songs recorded, gaining immediate celebrity. Frederick William ("Fred") Gaisberg, 1873 - 1951 is known as a Recording Pioneer. Something of his life story (not much, I admit) is recorded here - http://www.recordingpioneers.com/RP_GAISBERG1.html And then this story, dated Sunday, April 13, 2008 http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080413/spectrum/main1.htm --- Harshawardhan_Bosham Nimkhedkar