पहिला भारतीय बोलपट 'आलम आरा'ला आज 80 वर्षे पूर्ण

अर्देशिर इराणी दिग्दर्शित पहिला भारतीय बोलपट 'आलम आरा'ला आज 80 वर्षे पूर्ण झाली... १४ मार्च १९३१ ला मॅजेस्टीक सिनेमा, मुंबई येथे हा चित्रपट प्रदर्शित झाला.

दे दे खुदा के नाम पे प्यारे

ताकद हो गर देने की

कुछ चाहे अगर तो मांग लें मुझसे

हिम्मत हो लेने की

हे त्यातलं गाणं (भारतीय चित्रपटातलं पहिलं गाणं) आणि ते गाणारा वझिर मोहंमद खान हे खुप पॉप्युलर झाले. त्यावेळेस नायक स्व:ताच प्लेबॅक करायचा.

Master Vithal and Zubeida in Alam Ara

alam ara poster

alam ara still

alam ara

Ardeshir Irani recording Alam Ara

On this very day in 1931, Alam Ara debuted at the Majestic Cinema in Mumbai and the resultant frenzy was such that the police had to be called in.

Besides, Alam Ara also featured the maiden song of Indian cinema  de de khuda ke naam par, sung by actor Wazir Mohammed Khan, who essayed a fakir in the film. As playback singing had yet to make a start in Indian cinema, it was recorded live with the musical accompaniment of a tablaand harmonium.

Ardeshir Irani handled the sound recording department. The film was shot with the Tanar single system camera.

The film, helmed by Ardeshir Irani and based on a Parsi play, details the love story between a prince and a gypsy girl.

The unfortunate twist to this cinematic tale is that the last surviving print of Alam Ara was destroyed as a result of a fire at the National Film Archive at Pune in 2003. The film is no longer available in its original format.