V. Damlo

From PhalkeFactory


Damle, a memory:



1934

‘Setu Bandhan’ is post synchronized.

A French visitor bursts out laughing on seeing Ravana’s bust revolving above his waist.

Embarrassed, Phalke deletes the scene.

The sound of a gunshot is obtained by striking a drum on top of the machine on which a chain mat has been placed. At the bottom of the machine is a large bellows operated by foot.

Their manipulation in conjunction with one or other of the handles will produce the sound of exhaust steam issuing from a locomotive, the rumbling of a train rushing through a tunnel, and so on.

Running water, rain, hail, and the sound of rolling waves are obtained by turning a handle which rotates a ribbed wooden cylinder against a board set at an angle from the top of which hang a number of chains.

The puffing of an engine is made by revolving a cylinder with projections against a steel brush.

The crash of china pots and pans is due to the revolution of a shaft on which are mounted a series of tappets striking against hammers which, in turn, come into contact with a number of steel plates.

The cracking of a machine gun is caused by turning a shaft having tappets, which strike and lift up a wooden lathe, subsequently releasing them to strike smartly against the framework of the machine.

The same device serves for imitating the crash attending the upsetting of chairs, tables and so on.

Pendant tubes serve to produce the effects of church bells, fire alarm, ship’s bell, and similar noises.

Revolving a shaft with 3 tappets, which lift up inverted cups, causes the sound of trotting horses. A trot can be converted into a gallop, and vice versa.

Shaking a sheet of steel hanging on one side of the machine makes the sound of thunder.

The pross of a bulb gives the bark of a dog.

The bellows and another attachment operate the warbling bird, while the cry of the baby is emitted by the dexterous manipulation of plughole and bellows.


‘The audio camera with that big microphone…I kept it warm and cozy during the winter and rainy days.

A carbon microphone contained loosely packed carbon granules against which a diaphragm vibrated when sound fell upon it.

As the diaphragm caved in or bulged out due to the sound waves, the pressure on the carbon granules varied.

They became more tightly or more loosely packed.

Consequently, a varied electrical equivalent of sound variation was obtained.’

[1]


Damle as the Silver Jubilee function of the Indian Film Industry 1939