Sunday 29 October 2017

EXCLUSIVE!!!


PIONEER OF INDIAN CONTINENT CINEMA..HIRALAL SEN!!

- Manoj Kulkarni


 
One of the first filmmakers of our Indian sub-continent..Hiralal Sen's 100th death anniversary just happened! 


Hiralal Sen born in Bagjuri village in Manikganj near Dhaka..now the capital of Bangladesh! From zamindar (landlord) family he studied in Calcutta..where in 1898 he saw a film troup en route to Paris and 'The Flower of Persia' at Star Theatre!

 
Basically photographer Hiralal Sen made his first film 'A Dancing Scene' with that inspiration & borrowed Stevenson's camera! Then he bought an Urban Bioscope and with the assistance of his brother Motilal Sen filmed some Bengali plays and classical dances..And in 1901 screened at Calcutta!

They formed 'Royal Bioscope Company' and during 1901 to 1904 made many such films of Classic Theatre..in which includes 'Bhramar', 'Hariraj' & 'Buddhadev'! In that he made 'Alibaba and the Forty Thieves' which can be consider as India's first feature film!


Hiralal Sen also credited for India's first Advertising film like 'Jabakusum Hair Oil' and News reel like importantly documenting 
the 'Anti-Partition Demonstration' and Swadeshi Movement' at Town Hall, Calcutta on 22nd September, 1905. This also considered as India's first Political & Swadeshi film too!

He died on 26th October, 1917 and tragedy was all his films destroyed in fire before his death same year!

Salute to Sen brothers & their great work for our Cinema!
Humble Homage to Hiralal Senji!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India]

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