Ace chronicler of Hindi cinema’s silent era, Virchand Dharamsey, passed away on 6th April in a Navi Mumbai hospital following a brief illness. He was 88.
Dharamsey did monumental research on the silent era of Hindi films, collecting posters, show cards, letters, contracts and even articles from ancient film magazines. The Film Heritage Foundation in Gao honoured Virchand Dharamsey in December last year for his contribution to Indian cinema.
In a tribute to Dharamsey, film heritage scholar Shivendra Singh Dungarpar said, his death was a “loss to Indian cinema and a personal loss too”. Prakash Magdum, former head of National Film Archives of India, said that Dharamsey’s commitment to silent cinema was “inspiring”.
Satyajit Ray and actor Pravin Joshi were among his friends. The Asiatic Society of Bombay was Dharamsey’s second home.