1889 - BRAHMAGIRI, TRIMBAKESHWAR, SOURCE OF THE GODAVARI / GANGA

He was nineteen years old.

He was lying on his back on a hill, looking up at the sky.

His camera stood on the tripod to one side.

Suddenly, mist began to creep towards the field.

A cloud of mist enveloped him and hid him from view.

All he could see was white mist.

White blindness, as if he was buried in a cloudbank of mist.

Then a snake slithered through the mist, crawled over his chest and stood above his face with fanned hood.

Rubbing itself against his chest, the snake began to slough off the skin covering its eyes.

Understanding, Govind picked up a cloth on which his head was resting and wiped the snake’s eyes clean.

Having regained its sight, the snake went quietly away.

When the mist cleared, the surrounding hills had turned into the white, snow-covered Himalayan Mountains.

The infinite sun peeped out from behind the infinite mountains.

On all sides the multicolored tree barks of autumn…

Govind was exhilarated by this vision.

This was the source of the Godavari…

He captured many beautiful visions in his camera, finally understanding why they painted the Sahyadri Mountains white in the backdrops at Nasik.

Joyously he began to descend the steps of the fort.

Suddenly, a group of monkeys materialized from thin air and blocked his way.

Seeing their boldness and aggression, Govind became a little fearful.

The monkeys snatched his camera and disappeared again.

TWO FRIENDS, TELANG AND PHALKE:

Telang:

Friend, I hear you dabble in photography. Where’s your camera?

Phalke:

The monkeys stole it from me.

Telang:

Have you traced them?

Phalke:

The investigation’s still on.

Telang:

Can I be of any assistance?

But in whichever age the picture comes to life, I must be given the credit for it.

What is photography?

Phalke:

The formation of an image on a flat surface by an optical device and a chemical method of sensitizing that surface to a light source so that the image can be captured permanently is photography.

Telang:

Like tombstones.

Telang:

Friend, these are my monkey friends. I’ve been talking to them about our friendship for many years.

But I wanted to give you a surprise before you all met.

This is my gift to you.

Telang takes a photograph of Phalke with the monkeys.

As Phalke’s education continues, he often visits his brother at the palace.

He watches the Prince ride his horses, play cricket, shoot crows, wrestle.

He cannot comprehend palace intrigue, and the changes occurring in the state of Baroda.

At home at night, amongst his Maharashtrian relatives, he sings kirtanas.

When he comes home, there is a surprise waiting for him. His father has arrived from Nasik, bringing Phalke’s wife, Kamala, with him.

Phalke is shy as well as nervous. His father asks about his prospects.

1890 - 95 - ORIENTAL TOOTHPASTE click to read further