Purushottam Parchure

Actor

Active: 1919

About Purushottam Parchure

Purushottam Parchure was an Indian actor who appeared in early Indian cinema during the silent era. His only known film credit is 'The Childhood of Krishna' from 1919, which places him among the pioneering actors of Indian cinema's formative years. The film was likely a religious or mythological drama, a popular genre in early Indian filmmaking that drew from Hindu epics and stories. Given the extremely limited filmography, Parchure may have been a stage actor who transitioned briefly to the new medium of cinema, or possibly an amateur performer who participated in this single production. His career appears to have been confined to the year 1919, making him one of the many early film actors whose contributions to cinema were brief but historically significant as part of India's cinematic foundation.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in 'The Childhood of Krishna' (1919), one of India's early silent films

Best Known For

Iconic Roles

  • Unknown role in 'The Childhood of Krishna' (1919)

Must-See Films

  • The Childhood of Krishna (1919)

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Purushottam Parchure represents the generation of actors who participated in the birth of Indian cinema. Though his career was brief, his contribution to 'The Childhood of Krishna' places him within the historical context of early Indian filmmakers who helped establish the country's cinematic tradition. During this period, Indian cinema was heavily influenced by religious and mythological themes, and actors like Parchure helped bring these cultural stories to the screen for the first time, laying groundwork for what would become one of the world's largest film industries.

Lasting Legacy

As an actor from India's silent film era, Purushottam Parchure's legacy is primarily historical rather than artistic. He is remembered as one of the early pioneers who participated in the foundational years of Indian cinema when the medium was still experimental and documentation was sparse. His appearance in a 1919 film places him among the first generation of Indian film actors, a group that includes many forgotten figures whose work was crucial in establishing cinema as a popular art form in India.

Who They Inspired

Due to the extremely limited documentation of his career and work, it's difficult to assess Purushottam Parchure's specific influence on subsequent generations of Indian actors. However, like all early cinema pioneers, his participation in early Indian films contributed to the gradual development of acting techniques and performance styles that would evolve in Indian cinema throughout the 20th century.

Off Screen

Very little is known about Purushottam Parchure's personal life, as was common for many early Indian film actors whose records were not systematically preserved during the silent era.

Did You Know?

  • Appeared in cinema during the very early days of Indian filmmaking, only 26 years after the first Indian film was made
  • His film 'The Childhood of Krishna' was produced during the silent era, before Indian cinema transitioned to sound
  • The 1910s saw the emergence of mythological films as a dominant genre in Indian cinema
  • Early Indian actors like Parchure often came from theatrical backgrounds
  • Many records from India's silent film era have been lost or destroyed over time

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Purushottam Parchure?

Purushottam Parchure was an Indian actor from the silent film era who appeared in the 1919 film 'The Childhood of Krishna.' He represents one of the early pioneers of Indian cinema during its formative years.

What films is Purushottam Parchure best known for?

Parchure is known for his single film appearance in 'The Childhood of Krishna' (1919), which appears to be his only credited work in cinema.

When was Purushottam Parchure active in film?

Based on available records, Purushottam Parchure was active only in 1919, making his career extremely brief but historically significant as part of early Indian cinema.

What was the significance of 'The Childhood of Krishna' (1919)?

The film was part of the early tradition of mythological cinema in India, which drew heavily from Hindu religious stories and was popular among early Indian audiences.

Why is so little known about Purushottam Parchure?

Like many actors from India's silent film era, comprehensive records were not systematically maintained, and many films and documentation from this period have been lost over time.

Films

1 film