woman
in the film lab... kitchen

“Next day, we both (Phalke and me) went to SEE THE “CINEMA”. We came to an illuminated tent on Sandhurst Road where a band was playing. It was called the America-India Cinematograph. The first class ticket was priced at eight annas. It was the Christmas of 1911.The hall was crowded. With Christians and Europeans. The lights were then switched off and there appeared the picture of a cock moving on the screen. (This was the trademark of Pathe Company). Then a comic picture started, featuring an actor called Foolshead. After every part of the film, the lights were switched on and stage items of magic of physical feats were performed. THE MAIN PICTURE THAT DAY WAS ON THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST. People were weeping on seeing the sufferings of Christ and the crucifixion. The film was coloured in the Kinemacolour process.

After the show I asked: “How did these pictures move?” Then he (Phalke) took me near the projection room and said that it was all done by that machine. On the way back he said: “Now you will automatically know everything, since we are going to take up this very business. Like the life of Christ, WE SHALL MAKE PICTURES ABOUT RAMA AND KRISHNA.” I was not at all happy to hear that and kept quiet.”

Sawaswatibai Phalke, wife of the Father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke, in her memoirs.