Some of these instruments were once in great demand in the sub-continent, considered essential for sangat (accompaniment) with classical music. To attain impeccability in performance of classical music, such instruments were considered necessary, however these have lost their appeal in current times.

Aslam, living in Mymensingh, inherited the collection from his father Jalal Uddin, who inherited the instruments from his father late Nabab Ali. Nabab Ali started collecting the items out of personal interest from 1952, when he became the proprietor of Nabab & Co., a renowned shop in Mymensingh, making, selling and repairing musical instruments. Some of these instruments have interesting historic backgrounds.

According to Aslam, "After the Partition (1947) local zaminders as well as other elite Hindu families migrated to India leaving their belongings behind, including rare musical instruments. Many of these were bought and some were given to his grandfather's shop for repair and were not taken back by their owners for whatever reasons. "In 1991, I took an initiative to repair these instruments and held an exhibition at my shop."

Now Aslam has a collection of 39 musical instruments including esraj, sharinda, sarangi, surbahar, shanai, ektara, tambura (popularly known as taanpura), nakara, krishnakathi, violin, swaraj, sarod, mekur or mehur (used in jari gaan and pala gaan), khanjani, mondira, premjuri (locally known as chatti), surmondol, mandolin, been (used by snake charmers), flutes of different kinds, lauah (used by faqirs and sadhus), kashar, shankho and kartaal.

Most of the items belonged to the zaminders of Muktagacha and some items were part of the collection of the Bhawal zamindars.

Aslam's impressive collection has been lauded in different corners of the country. "I'm invited to various occasions to exhibit the instruments and I enjoy it much," says Aslam. He was invited at a three-day Baishakhi programme held last year at Gulshan Park in Dhaka, arranged by the Bengal Foundation. "My collection was praised by eminent artistes of the country," he says. His collection was also appreciated by noted artists from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin's 90th birth anniversary celebration in 2004 held at the Shangrahashala in Mymensingh town.

An honorary member of UNESCO, World Crafts Department, Parveen Ahmed requested Aslam to donate his collection to the National Museum. Aslam however, politely refused Parveen's proposal, saying "the collections symbolises the heritage and musical history of the greater Mymensingh region."