Dada Saheb Phalke Awards declared

Manoj Kumar was today felicitated with the ‘Phalke Ratna award’ for his contribution to the Bollywood.

Filmmaker Randhir Kapoor received the ‘Phalke Kalptaru award’ on behalf of his grandfather and legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor.

Another Kapoor to be awarded on the occasion was noted actor Shammi Kapoor. He was honoured with the 'Phalke legendary actor award'.

Ashutosh Gowariker got the award for 'memorable commercial film' - 'Jodhaa Akbar'.

Another personality to be awarded was Shamshad Begum who is one of the first playback singers in Bollywood, and who has given us memorable hits like `Kajra Mohabtawala...' and `Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar...'. Shamshad Begum was honoured with the `Phalke Golden Era singer award`.

Vipin Reshammiya was honoured for his contribution as musician and film producer. Also, for the first time L V Prasad Group of companies conferred 'Shri L K Prasad Phalke award' on Surinder Kapoor for his contribution as a film producer to the industry.

Similarly, Manju Sharma was awarded for her contribution as a hair dresser, Anand Jagdane for his work as a make-up artist, Purshottam Bangera for his work as a dummy effect artist, Ajay Chadda for his work as a voice artist.

India's First Talkie Film Lost Forever

India's first talkie film Alam Ara, made in 1931 is lost to us forever it seems. An Information and Broadcasting official has said that no prints are now available with the National Archives of India.

The last existing prints were destroyed in a fire at Pune's National Film Archives five years back. A search was conducted across the country but no print of Alam Ara could be found.

It was through Alam Ara that Indian cinema first found its voice on March 14. The talkie premiered at the Majestic Cinema in Mumbai. But India's first talkie film seems destined to stay silent forever as no copy or print of the film can be traced anywhere in the world.

The film directed by Ardeshir Irani is a love story between a prince and a gypsy girl. It starred master Vithal, Zubeida, LV Prasad and Prithviraj Kapoor .The film was shot mostly in the night to avoid capturing the noises of the day. Alam Ara was made using microphones that had to be hidden from the camera's range.

The unavailability of even a single print of Alam Ara sheds much light on the urgent attention that needs to be paid to the restoration of Indian classics.