The Burning of Lanka
About The Burning of Lanka
Rama, in exile with Sita and Laxman, sees Ravana carry Sita off. Hanuman finds her in Lanka, gives her Rama's ring, is caught, and has his tail set on fire. He breaks loose, burns Lanka, and puts the fire out in the ocean.
Cast & crew
More about The Burning of Lanka
Dhundiraj Govind Phalke wrote and directed it from the Ramayana episode. The Indian title is Lanka Dahan. Anna Salunke plays both Rama and Sita. Ganpat G. Shinde plays Hanuman. D. D. Dabke and Mandakini Phalke are also in the cast. It followed Phalke's 1913 feature Raja Harishchandra.
Themes
Background
Indian feature production was only four years old when Phalke returned to the Ramayana for this episode.
Making
Phalke staged the abduction, the ring, and the tail fire with a small company and painted sets.
Notes
- Salunke's double part means Rama and Sita are the same actor in different costume.
- Phalke had made short films between Raja Harishchandra and this picture.
- The burning is the Hanuman episode, not the later war for Lanka.
Scenes
- Hanuman gives Sita Rama's ring in Lanka.
- His tail is lit and he sets the city burning, then douses it in the sea.
Influenced by
- Ramayana
