21 April 1913, 6. 45 p.m.
A charity show of ‘Raja Harischandra’ is being held for the Catholic Hospital at Olympia Theatre.
The guests of honor include Sir Balachandra Krishna Bhatwadekar, Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar, Sir Manmohandas Ramji, Jayant Madan, Vima Dayal and Judge Mr. Donald.
Everybody present knows that they are watching history being made.
Mandakini has been left at home with a high fever.
At the end of the show, a jam-packed house gives a standing ovation to the modest unpretentious pioneer of the Swadeshi film, DG Phalke.
Mr. Donald, judge of the Small Causes Court in Bombay, praises Phalke.
‘Europeans have hardly any chance to see such instructive plays and films on Hindu mythology.
It is not possible to acquire this knowledge through books, as the Europeans do not know the Sanskrit language.
Hence, the work of Mr. Phalke is invaluable to the Europeans.
Apart from this, the film itself is very well made.’
Dr. Vimadlal says, ‘The film of the play “Harischandra” is especially instructive from the religious point of view.’
‘Raja Harischandra” receives fantastic publicity in the manufacturing papers in India. The reason why harishchandra faild to draw crowd in surat Waas that the famous wakaner theatre group was staging plays in surat ‘ourtown is commercial to the bone.every body here means business.look at what wakener peopleare doing?they charge two annas for six hours of entetaintment.this film of yours is too
expensive to see.start charging two paisa per show . or make it a longer show.Phalke ignored the advice
Seefifty thousand pictures in two annas .don’t miss your chance to see the wonderfull pictures which are two miles threeinch in size It worked 6th May 1913 - Mr. Phalke’s moving pictures - a Newsletter from Bombay - Kesari, Poona
To the Editor, Kesari
Cinematograph shows have become so numerous in our city of Bombay these days that people have almost given up visiting stage shows and the circus.
But most of the cinematographs were foreign and had foreign images in them. But Mr. Phalke has changed all that in making his film.
The images in his film are Indian and are drawn from the Puranas, and thus are familiar to all.
Mr. Phalke has made a complete film of 3,000 feet, in which he has shown the entire play ‘Harischandra’.
Such a play on film was presented by Mr. Phalke at the Olympia Theatre in Bombay on the 21st of April. All the movements and expressions of the characters on screen were so realistic that the spectators felt that those moving characters were also speaking.
They have come out so well that Harischandra and Taramati of the screen bring tears to the eyes of the spectators.
This would perhaps not happen if one saw them in the flesh and blood on the stage.
The scene of the forest, the fire, the river, the hangman’s house, the hen pecking around - all these are unrivalled and Mr. Phalke has displayed to the world his great skill in showing these on the screen.
No amount of praise for his skill would be adequate.
Saturday, 13th May, 1913 - Bombay Chronicle
An advertisement for ‘Raja Harischandra’:
‘An instructive subject from Hindu mythology, sure to appeal to our Hindu patrons.
‘The program continues throughout the week with four daily shows.
‘Double rates of admission.’
15th May 1913 - Bombay Chronicle
An advertisement for ‘Raja Harischandra’:
Since the art of the Cinematograph was first introduced, the above has been the first Indian film manufactured for the first time by M/s Phalke and Company, the only first manufacturers of cinema films in India.
17th May 1913 - Bombay Chronicle
An advertisement for ‘Raja Harischandra’:
A special opportunity offered for ladies and children.
With the object that the poor class of people should have an opportunity to see this marvelous film, we will give an extra show when women and children will be admitted at half rates.
Last night of ‘Raja Harischandra’ Sunday 18th May 1913. Look out for grand change of program from Monday.
Coronation Theatre advertisement
From 26th May, Itala’s tragic drama, ‘Father’
