DADA PHALKE

Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke (Marathi: दादासाहेब फाळके) (30 April 1870 - 16 February 1944) was an Indian producer-director-screenwriter, known as the father of Indian cinema ^[1]. Starting with his debut film, Raja Harishchandra 1913, now known as India's first full-length feature, he made 95 movies and 26 short films in his career span of 19 years, till 1937, including his most noted works, Mohini Bhasmasur (1913),Satyavan Savitri (1914), Lanka Dahan (1917), Shri Krishna Janam (1918) and Kaliya Mardan (1919).^[2].

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was instituted in his honour, by Govt. of India in 1969, and is today, the highest award in Indian Cinema, it is given for lifetime contribution to Cinema ^[3].

Biography

Early life and education

Dhundiraj Govind Phalke was born on 30 April 1870 at Trimbakeshwar, 30 km from Nasik, India ^[2], where his father was an accomplished Sanskrit scholar ^[4]

He joined Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai in 1885. After passing from J.J.School in 1890, Phalke went to the Kala Bhavan in Baroda, where he studied Sculpture, Engineering Drawing, Painting and Photography ^[5].

Early career

He began his career as a small town photographer in Godhra but had to leave business after the death of his first wife and child in an outbreak of the bubonic plague. He soon met the German magician Carl Hertz, one of the 40 magicians employed by the Lumiere Brothers.

Soon after, he had the opportunity to work with the Archeological Survey of India as a draftsman. However, restless with his job and its constraints, he turned to the business of printing. He specialized in lithography and oleography, and worked for painter Raja Ravi Varma. Phalke later started his own printing press, made his first trip abroad to Germany, to learn about the latest technology and machinery.

Film

Raja Harishchandra 1913, directed by Dadasaheb Phalke

However, following a dispute with his partners about the running of the press, he gave up printing and turned his attention to moving pictures, after watching a silent film, The Life of Christ and envisioning Indian gods on the screen. He made his first film, Raja Harishchandra, in 1912; it was first shown publicly on 3 May 1913 at Mumbai's Coronation Cinema ^[6], effectively marking the beginning of the Indian film industry. Around one year before, Ramchandra Gopal (known as Dadasaheb Torne) had released his film Pundalik in the same theater. However, the credit for making the first Indian feature film is still attributed to Dadasaheb Phalke [1].

Once again, Phalke proved successful in his new art, and proceeded to make several silent films, shorts, documentary feature, educational, comic, tapping all the potential of this new medium. However, film, having proved its financial viability, soon attracted businessmen who favored money over aesthetics.

Hindustan Films

Phalke formed a film company, Hindustan Films in partnership with five businessmen from Mumbai, in the hope that by having the financial aspect of his profession handled by experts in the field, he would be free to pursue the creative aspect. He set up a model studio and trained technicians, actors, but very soon, he ran into insurmountable problems with his partners. In 1920, Phalke resigned from Hindustan company, made his first announcement of retirement from cinema,and he wrote 'Rangbhoomi', an acclaimed play.

But lacking his imaginative genius, the Hindustan company ran into deep financial loss, and he was finally persuaded to return. However, Phalke felt constrained by the business, and, after directing a few films for the company, he withdrew.

Sound film

But then the times changed, and Phalke fell victim to the emerging technology of sound film. Unable to cope with the talkies, the man who had fathered the Indian film industry became obsolete. His last silent movie "Setubandhan" was released in 1932, which later released by dubbing voice. During 1936-38, he produced his last film Gangavataran (1937), before retiring to Nashik, where he died in 16 February 1944.

Selected filmography

• Raja Harishchandra (1913)
• Shri Krishna Janma (1918)
• Kaliya Mardan (1919)
• Setu Bandhan (1923)
• Gangavataran (1937)

In popular culture

In 2009, Marathi film Harishchandrachi Factory, depicting the struggle of Dadasaheb Phalke in making Raja Harishchandra in 1913, India's first feature film, directed by theatre-veteran Paresh Mokashi was selected as India's official entry to Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language Film Category ^[

Shyam Benegal - Director	2005
Adoor Gopalakrishnan - Director	2004
Mrinal Sen - Director	2003
Dev Anand- Actor, Director, Producer	2002
Yash Chopra - Director, Producer	2001
Asha Bhosle - Singer	2000
Hrishikesh Mukherjee - Director	1999
B.R. Chopra - Director, Producer	1998
Pradeep - Lyricist, Poet	1997
Sivaji Ganesan - Actor	1996
Dr. Raj Kumar - Actor, Singer, Producer	1995
Dilip Kumar - Actor	1994
Majrooh Sultanpuri - Lyricist	1993
Bhupen Hazarika - Composer, Singer, Producer	1992
Bhalji Pendharkar - Producer, Director	1991
A. Nageshwar Rao- Actor	1990
Lata Mangeshkar - Singer, Producer	1989
Ashok Kumar - Actor, Singer	1988
Raj Kapoor - Actor, Director	1987
B. Nagi Reddi - Producer	1986
V.Shantaram - Director, producer, actor	1985
Satyajit Ray - Director, Producer	1984
Durga Khote - Actress	1983
L.V. Prasad - Actor, Director, Producer	1982
Naushad- Composer	1981
Jairaj - Actor, Director, Producer	1980
Sohrab Modi - Actor, Director, Producer	1979
R.C. Boral - Composer	1978
Nitin Bose - Cinematographer, Director, Producer	1977
Kanan Devi - Actress, Singer, Producer	1976
Dhiren Ganguly - Actor, Director, Producer	1975
B.N. Reddi - Director, Producer	1974
Sulochana- Actress	1973
Pankaj Mallick - Singer, Actor, Composer	1972
Prithviarj Kapoor - Actor, Director, Producer	1971
B.N. Sircar - Producer	1970
Devika Rani - Actress	1969

Dadasaheb Phalke

Late Shri Dadasaheb Phalke - the pioneer of the Indian Film industry hailed from Nashik District. Born in Trimbakeshwar - about 30 kms away from Nashik, he worked and spent his life in Nashik. Dadasaheb's name is Dhundiraj Govind Phalke. Born on 30th April 1870 in Trimbakeshwar he devoted his life for making silent movies. He had a multifaceted personality. He was the student of Sir J.J. School of Art, Bombay and Kalabhavan of Baroda. After passing out from the art school, while in Bombay, he happened to see a movie on the life of Jesus Christ made by a foreigner. It was projected on 7th July 1896 in Watson Hotel by Mr Meris Sestiye - the representative of the pioneer of Cinema Industry - Lumie Brothers. That inspired him to make an experiment of a movie in India. The film making techniques were alien to Indians then. Starting with the famous movie on mythological character "Raja Harishchandra" in 1913, he made 95 movies and 26 short films in the span of 19 years, till 1932. He earned a lot of money, but ploughed it back in the industry. When he stepped in to this venture, no one had anticipated this industry to flourish so much that thousands of people would be able to earn their livelihood from it, nor did anyone foresee the amount of huge money transactions in it.

On the contrary, people were skeptical about the general appreciation of movements of artificial pictures on screen, by the society, in place of live dramas. Because of this moneyed people were hesitant to come forward for investment in this industry. Manpower was not available for carrying out work. The educated and intellectuals preferred to keep themselves at a distance from this industry. This industry was considered of lower grade than drama.Dadasaheb made his first movie in Bombay. Although the necessary facilities for making movies were available in Mumbai, there were many other problems.

After deep thinking and observation, he found Nashik suitable and he decided to shift to Nashik. Nashik was a small city then and had a lot of open space. He got a nice place in the southern part of Nashik, where he decided to make his studio. There was a nice Shrikrishna temple in the plot, which belonged to Mr Bhave. Mr Bhave had maintained the plot and the temple very well. There was a beautiful garden around the temple and a big fountain too. In Untwadi on Trimbakeshwar Road, there was a big well, which used to have plenty of fresh water. A canal from that well to the Shrikrishna temple was built out of stone and used to supply water to the fountain in front of the temple. This canal existed since long, no one knows who built it and when. But it was a very nicely built sturdy canal. A horse rider could easily pass through the canal.

The fountain used to soar very high in the sky and the falling water was collected and diverted to another big tank.In course of time, Mr Bhave had to vacate that plot. He took away the idol of Shrikrishna with him. The plot was now owned by Mr Viadya who rented it to Dadasaheb Phalke. The tall fountain and the big tank were so famous then that the place used to be identified by the name "Houdacha Bangala" meaning the house with tank. Dadasaheb started developing that place. The head office, chemical laboratory were set up there. The shooting in those days, even of the interior of houses or mansions, used to be in open air. Animals like peacock, rabbits, monkeys, deer required for shooting in the movies were kept in the yard. Comfortable arrangements for the pets were provided and the surroundings looked very beautiful.

In 1913 for the first time, shooting of the movie "Bhasmasur Mohini" was done in this studio. In those days no women worked in drama or film industry, so gents used to play roles of women. But in Bhasmasur Mohini, for the first time Durga Gokhale - and Kamala Gokhale played roles in this movie. Durga Gokhale is grandmother of the famous Marathi actor Chandrakant Gokhale and Kamala Gokhale is his mother.

Dadasaheb's first silent movie "Raja Harishchandra" had its official premier show in Coronation Theater in Bombay on 3rd May 1913 for the common people. Prior to this, Harishchandra Sakharam Bhatawadekar alias Savedada had made short movies and laid down foundation of film industry in India. R.G. alias Dadasaheb Torne had shot "Pundalik" drama and showed it in Coronation Theater of Bombay. People were astonished to witness it. However,since dadasaheb Phalke devoted his life for Indian Films he is considered the pioneer of Indian Film Industry.

In 1932, movies got voice. The age of silent movies receded back. Dadasaheb's last silent movie "Setubandhan" was released in 1932 and the same movie was again released by dubbing voice. Records, as to who did dubbing for this movie, is not available. Dubbing voice was also a pioneer experiment then. Later on he made the only talkie "Gangavataran" which was not successful. That was the time when he retired from film industry. Talkies won over the silent movies and this affected the silent movies business adversely. Dadasaheb's company was closed in 1932. The company was owned by Mr Shridhar Apte of Bombay. Although the company was closed, the ownership of the "Houdacha Bangala" was still with Mr Apte. The machinery was properly preserved in the bungalow and Mr Bhat used to take care of it. Around 1935, Godavari Cinetone Limited was founded. This was the first limited company in the cinema industry. Godavari Cinetone Ltd, using the machinery of Dadasaheb, made a movie named "Sati Sulochana", under the direction of Mama Shinde. Mr Shinde was the favorite student of Dadasaheb. The famous writer and poet Mr V.V. Shirwadkar of Nashik had played a role of Laxman in this movie and also wrote the dialogues. This movie was released on a Dashahara Day in Circle Theatre of Nashik but could not make a success. This movie proved to be the last one made by using Dadasaheb's machinery.

It was in 1938, just after four years of release of the movie "Setubandhan", Silver jubilee of Indian Film Industry was celebrated under the leadership of Sardar Chandulal Shah and under the presidentship of Mr Satyamoorthy. Dadasaheb Phalke was invited for the function however was not honoured the way he deserved. He was not even noticed in the crowd of common men. Shantarambapu Vanakudre noticed this and he respectfully took him to the stage. On the last day of the celebrations, Shantarambapu urged producers, directors, distributors and artists in the film industry gathered there, to donate funds for construction of a house for Dadasaheb. However, meager amounts were received. Shantarambapu collected the funds , added handsome donation from his own Prabhat Films and sent it to Dadasaheb. With the help of Mamasaheb Shukla, Dadasaheb could get a small bungalow constructed in the Gole Colony of Nashik. He could enjoy his own house for a short period and passed away in 1944.

Government has been making announcements now and then that a monument in Dadasaheb's memory will be built in Nashik. However this has so far not translated into action. Neither is the "Houdacha Bangala" preserved , nor is his residence.

Dadasaheb made considerable efforts in film industry, produced a number of wonderful films, which even today are appreciated by people. He was, however, not a practical man and could never do financially successful business. He was caught into a vicious circle of poor financial condition . His health also did not cooperate in the later stage of his life.

The famous "Houdacha Bangala" is razed to ground now. The nameplate "Dadasaheb Phalke Path" is existing however,looking in deep silence to the remains of the magnificent, glorious past of the famous studio of the Pioneer of the Indian Film Industry.

Movies made by Dadasaheb

SetuBandhan

Saitanki shikar

Mohabbat ki putali

Ameerkhan

Vallikumari

Sati Sarala

Khuda parast

Kabeer Kamaal

Savati matsar

Santa Meerabai

Bolke Bhande

Vasant Sena

Prabhavati

Malavika-Agnimitra

Malati Madhav

Chandrahas

Sudarshan

Shrikrishna Mithai

Sati Pingala

Parashuram

Naarad Sansar

Malharee Martand

Ghosh yatra

Bhakta Damajee

Rukmini haran

RukmangadMohini

Nal-Damayanti

Madalasa

Hanuman janma

Droupadi vastraharan

Dakshayadnya

Bhakta Sudam

Sant Eknath

Ramarajya vijay

Bheem sanjeevan

Keechak vadha

Bhakta Pralhad

Bajaji Nimbalkar

ShatamukhRavanvadha

Pandav Shodh

Satyamba

Sugreeva

Sati Tara

Sant Janabai

Mahashivaratri

Syamantak Mani

Kakasaheb-Chaturtheecha

Bakasur vadha

Chandra

Anant vrata

Sundopsund

Uttar Ramcharit

Aagryahoon Sutaka

Ram-Ravan Yuddha

Jayadrath vadha

Sati Anusaya

Naarad

Guru Dronacharya

Mahananda

Vrinda

Jarasandha vadh

Sharada

Janaki swyamvar

Babruvahan

Buddhadev

Gora Kumbhar

Satyanarayan

Shishupal vadh

Ashwatthama

Rajashree

Sant Namdev

Sant Sakhubai

Ganesh Awatar

Hartalika

Pandav sanyas

Ahilyauddhar

Ahiravan-Mahiravan

Krishnajanma

Satvapariksha

Valmiki

vadh

Savitri Satyawan

Shani prabhav

Tukaram

Kansavadha

Pundalik

Sati Sulochana

Ushaswapna

Bhasmasoor-Mohinee

Gowardhandhari

Raja Harishchandra

Ram Janma

Shrikrishnaleela

Kacha Devayani

Kaliya Mardan

Lanka Dahan

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is an annual award given by the Indian government for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969 ^[1], the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke ^[2], considered the father of Indian cinema.

The award for a particular year is given during the end of the following year along with the National Film Awards. The Bombay High Court had directed the Directorate of Film Festivals of India (DFFI) to consider uncensored films for the competition, a case which DFFI contested and won in the Supreme Court in late 2006. The case had delayed announcement of the award for 2006, which was announced in the middle of 2008. The 2007 award which had to be announced at the end of 2008 was announced in September 2009. The 2008 award was announced on 19 January, 2010.

National Awards	Year	Winner	Occupation
17th	1969	Devika Rani	actress
18th	1970	B. N. Sircar	producer
19th	1971	Prithviraj Kapoor	actor (posthumous)
20th	1972	Pankaj Mullick	composer (music director)
21st	1973	Ruby Myers (Sulochana)	actress
22nd	1974	Bomireddi Narasimha Reddy	director
23rd	1975	Dhirendranath Ganguly	actor, director
24th	1976	Kanan Devi	actress
25th	1977	Nitin Bose	cinematographer, director, writer,
26th	1978	Rai Chand Boral	composer, director
27th	1979	Sohrab Modi	actor, director, producer
28th	1980	Paidi Jairaj	actor, director
29th	1981	Naushad Ali	composer (music director)
30th	1982	L. V. Prasad	actor, director, producer
31st	1983	Durga Khote	actress
32nd	1984	Satyajit Ray	director
33rd	1985	V. Shantaram	actor, director, producer
34th	1986	B. Nagi Reddy	producer
35th	1987	Raj Kapoor	actor, director
36th	1988	Ashok Kumar	actor
37th	1989	Lata Mangeshkar	singer
38th	1990	Akkineni Nageswara Rao	actor
39th	1991	Bhalji Pendharkar	director, producer, writer
40th	1992	Bhupen Hazarika	composer (music director)
41st	1993	Majrooh Sultanpuri	lyricist
42nd	1994	Dilip Kumar	actor
43rd	1995	Rajkumar	actor
44th	1996	Sivaji Ganesan	actor
45th	1997	Pradeep	lyricist
46th	1998	B.R. Chopra	director, producer
47th	1999	Hrishikesh Mukherjee	director
48th	2000	Asha Bhosle	singer
49th	2001	Yash Chopra	director, producer
50th	2002	Dev Anand	actor, director, producer
51st	2003	Mrinal Sen	director
52nd	2004	Adoor Gopalakrishnan	director
53rd	2005	Shyam Benegal	director
54th	2006	Tapan Sinha	director
55th	2007	Manna Dey	singer
56th	2008	VK Murthy	cinematographer

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