Issue 2 · Case 1 · 12 July 2026
Bombay wireless desk · 1968 · Farid Contractor
The Colaba Radio Spool
A Sunday request programme lost its rehearsal tape before the first song in 1968.
REPORT: Colaba, 1968 — Harbour Radio had ten minutes before its Sunday request programme when an unreleased rehearsal spool went missing. Studio A held the ribbon microphones and red lamp. Steel racks and handwritten cards filled the tape library, while a valve, telephone line and tea service drew staff in different directions. Rehana Mirza prepared the announcements, Dev Menon checked an electrical fault, Cyrus Batliwala guarded the archive, and Poonam Sawant waited to sing. Splicing scissors, a cue sheet, an empty reel can and a tea thermos appear in the editing register. One broadcast claim is false. The station staff must now settle the record before the programme begins. The desk adds one line for the record: the false claim in the signed statements came from the very person this enquiry wants.
Reading room sorts its index cards by hand
The Colaba citizens’ room has moved its reference cards into fresh trays, leaving a quiet table for anyone checking the evening bulletin.
Rehana Mirza enters the evening register
A handwritten line in the studio log assigns Rehana Mirza to the Studio A before filing.
Sea wind delays the morning umbrella parade
Commuters arriving by the harbour side found a brisk shower at the platform edge, though the late-morning service settled once the clouds lifted.
Splicing scissors is named in the station paperwork
The editing register lists the Splicing scissors beside Rehana Mirza's name before filing.
Apprentice learns the patient art of splicing tape
A junior sound-room assistant completed a careful spool-repair exercise using blank rehearsal stock, earning a handwritten note from the station engineer.
Ledger copy keeps Poonam Sawant on the record
Poonam Sawant appears beneath the Station canteen heading in the studio log for the shift.
CLASSIFIED
Radio valves tested without drama
Colaba Valve House checks humming sets, studio spares, and suspicious silences. Bring the valve; leave the theatre outside.
Request hour saves room for a young tabla player
A small studio orchestra has reserved one measured interlude for a neighbourhood tabla pupil, recorded with a ribbon microphone after the spoken announcements.
CLASSIFIED
Signed copy leaves Rehana Mirza where readers can find it
A countersigned broadcast claim records Rehana Mirza with the Tape library.
Visitors to sign the rehearsal-room book
Anyone collecting sheet music is asked to enter a name and time in the green book at reception, keeping the narrow passage clear during broadcasts.
Evening copy names Tape library before closing
Dev Menon's signed line names the Tape library; the tally decides whether it holds.
CLASSIFIED
Copper Kettle Irani Café offers a quiet corner
Copper Kettle Irani Café serves brun pav, khari biscuits and chai in thick cups for readers waiting out a shower. The counter keeps change in a tin, not in coat pockets.
Cyrus Batliwala enters the evening register
The broadcast claim records Cyrus Batliwala's claim about the Empty reel can.
Matunga annual-day booklet returned with its music cue
A slim school booklet came back through the post with a pencilled harmonium cue inside, a small acknowledgement of an earlier Bombay school desk.
Tea thermos is named in the station paperwork
Poonam Sawant entered the Tea thermos in the statement column.
Ledger copy keeps one name on the record
The radio station editor marked four signed claims in red pencil; one claim is false.
Deduction board
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