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Published: 20 November 2017

Last Updated: 20 November 2017

This is the earliest use that I have found of the English curse phrase "Damned". The actor is beside himself, cannot stand the situation and says, Damned it! Damned aankhen! Damned noor!. From President (1937)

Listen to 1937_President_08_door-bahut-door.mp3

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Listen to Narsingh 698

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Published: 25 February 2018

Last Updated: 25 February 2018

So, when was the first dance seen in the movies? In turns out that the answer is the very first feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913).. The film is easily available and one can check that after half an hour of start, one person starts playing kartaal, he dances and others join in. In Kaliya Mardan (1919) I counted three places where dance-like movements take place? So, what about the tallies? That is a topic for another day. 

Now you know!

Bharat 30 Lata Gobindram

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Published: 23 October 2017

Last Updated: 23 October 2017

Western instruments have been used for a long time, e.g. Harmonium, from the time of the dramas. When did they first use them in the talkies? I have read many articles making vague, general remarks. Recently, I found a concrete example in writing. Here is S D Burman reviewing the music of Chandidas (1931, Bangla) in 1931. An excerpt:

Of course, most people already know the great work of Karthik in chronicling the use of Western tunes by Indian film musicians:

Karthik on plagiarism

Now you know!

Listen to Meri Bhabhi (1969)