Google Doodle commemorates Dadasaheb Phalke’s 148th birthday.

Google Doodle commemorates Dadasaheb Phalke’s 148th birthday.

Today's Google doodle commemorates Dadasaheb Phalke, who is called the 'father of Indian cinema', on the occasion of his 148th birth anniversary.

Phalke gave Indian cinema its first silent film, 'Raja Harishchandra', in 1913. He made 95 movies and 27 short films in his career spanning 19 years.


Phalke was born in Trimbak, in present-day Maharashtra, and his father was a noted scholar. The young Phalke developed a keen interest in the arts and went on to study, at various points, an array of disciplines, including photography, lithography, architecture, engineering, and even magic, says Google's write-up on the filmmaker.

While Phalke was working as a painter and theatre set designer he chanced upon Alice Guy's silent film, 'The Life of Christ' (1910).

That's when he resolved to bring Indian culture to the silver screen. He traveled to London to learn filmmaking from Cecil Hepworth, a British director, producer and screenwriter who is considered one of the founders of the British film industry
In 1969, the government paid homage to Phalke by establishing the Dadasaheb Phalke awards recognizing lifetime contributions to Indian cinema.

Today Google created a special Doodle to mark the 148th birth anniversary of Dadasaheb Phalke, who is regarded as the father of Indian cinema.

The doodle features a big image of Phalke looking through a film’s reel. There are four other images in which he can be seen directing actors, wielding the camera and editing film.

With a celebrated filmography as a producer, director, and screenwriter, Phalke made as many as 95 films and 27 short films in a career spanning over 19 years.

In the year 1913, he gave Indian its first feature film, Raja Harishchandra. When he was young, he stumbled upon Alice Guy's silent film, The Life of Christ. Intrigued by the art, he took it upon himself to learn the craft and make his own films.

He soon traveled to London to learn filmmaking from Cecil Hepworth, a British director, producer, and screenwriter also considered one of the founders of the British film industry.

The Government of India In 1969, instituted the Dadasaheb Phalke award in his honor. Every year, the award recognizes people who have made lifetime contributions to Indian cinema. Devika Rani was the first recipient of the award, while this year it was awarded to Vinod Khanna posthumously.
Artist Aleesha Nandhra is behind today’s doodle on the late filmmaker.