Lovers of India’s cinematic heritage have something to cheer about… A 2015 calendar exhibiting never-before-seen posters of some of the first Indian films was launched by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap on Monday.
Titled “The Beginnings of Indian Cinema”, the calendar features posters of films such as Ardeshir Irani’s ALAM ARA, Indian cinema’s first talkie; KISAN KANYA (1937), the first Indian colour film; and KING OF AYODHYA (AYODHYECHA RAJA), the first Marathi talkie directed by legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram in 1932.
KING OF AYODHYA is also credited to be the first double version talkie of Indian cinema, having also been made in Hindi simultaneously.
The man behind this initiative, Sunil Bohra, who has commissioned the calendar for Indian Film Information, a Bollywood-centric portal, said, “We are very passionate about cinema and want the world to see these rare gems. It is fascinating to see how the artwork of film posters has changed so dramatically within a century… What better way to appreciate the artistry of these posters than through a calendar which is in front of your eyes throughout the year? Since the New Year is around the corner, this is the best time to launch it,” Bohra added.
The calendar includes poster gems from V. Shantaram films like AADMI and his Hindi-Marathi bilingual DUNIYA NA MANE, and classics such as Devika Rani-Ashok Kumar-starrer ACHHUT KANNYA (Untouchable Maiden) directed by Franz Osten and P.C. Barua’s Devdas.
Interestingly, while the calendar is not for sale, one can acquire it by placing a request through the website http://www.indianfilminformation.com/.
