Lanka Dahan
A 1917 silent film on Hanuman setting Lanka ablaze.
via Wikipedia: Lanka Dahan · see source
Lanka Dahan (Lanka Aflame) is a 1917 silent film from India, made by Dadasaheb Phalke. He also wrote the screenplay, drawing from a section of the Hindu epic Ramayana by Valmiki. This was Phalke’s second feature film, following his 1913 Raja Harishchandra, the first full-length Indian feature. Between these, he made several short films. Anna Salunke, who earlier played Rani Taramati in Raja Harishchandra, took on two roles here. Because women were barred from commercial performance, men portrayed female characters. Salunke performed both Rama, a male role, and his wife Sita, a female role. This made him the first actor in Indian cinema to play a double role.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Dhundiraj Govind Phalke
- Based on
- Ramayana, Valmiki
- Starring
- Anna Salunke; Ganpat G. Shinde
- Cinematography
- Trymbak B. Telang
- Released
- 1917
- Country
- India
- Language
- Silent Film; Marathi intertitles
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, is exiled to the forests for a term of fourteen years. He is joined by his wife Sita and brother Laxman. Ravana, the demon king, who also wanted to wed Sita, decides to take revenge and abducts her from the forest. While on the search for his wife, Rama meets Hanuman. Hanuman is a great devotee of Rama and promises to find Sita. Hanuman flies to the island of Lanka and finds Sita there. He informs her that he is a great devotee of Rama and that Rama would soon be coming to take her back. To prove his identity, he gives her Rama's ring. On his return journey he is arrested by the soldiers of Ravana. When produced in court Ravana orders Hanuman's tail to be set on fire. Hanuman then breaks his bondage and flies away. With his tail on fire he sets the whole city of Lanka ablaze. After setting fire to the whole town, Hanuman leaps away from the island and extinguishes the fire in the Indian Ocean.
Reception
As the film was based on a Hindu historical theme, it was well received by the audiences. When the film was screened in Mumbai (then Bombay), viewers used to take their shoes off when Rama, the Hindu god, appeared on screen. Trick photography and special effects used in the film delighted the audiences. The film was well received by the masses. According to film historian Amrit Gangar, coins from ticket counters were collected in gunny bags and transported on bullock carts to the producer’s office. There were long queues at Majestic cinema in Bombay where people would fight for tickets and toss coins at the ticket counter because the film was mostly houseful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Lanka Dahan?
Lanka Dahan was directed by Dhundiraj Govind Phalke.
Who stars in Lanka Dahan?
Lanka Dahan stars Anna Salunke and Ganpat G. Shinde.
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