The original labelling of the rolls is "A" (for archive); according to the original documentation available, this is vocal and instrumental music. Reels 1-9 were recorded during a stay of the "Hagenbeck malabar troupe" in Berlin, reels 10-16 were made with a Parsi student living in Berlin. Reel 17 contains a vocal recording of a pastor ("Sri Raga"). Reels 8 and 9 were recorded as nos. 10 and 11 in Erich Moritz von Hornbostel's demonstration collection. Reel 4 no longer exists. Transcriptions have been published: Otto Abraham, Erich Moritz von Hornbostel: Phonographierte indische Melodien. In: Sammelbände der Internationalen Musikgesellschaft 5 (1903/04), 348-401, reprinted in: Sammelbände für Vergleichende Musikwissenschaft I (1922), 251-290.