Hari Darshan

Hari Darshan poster for sale.

Featured here is an actual surviving original vintage Bollywood poster of the 1972 mythological Hindi film produced and directed by Chandrakant that featured B. Saroja Devi, Randhawa, Satyajeet Puri (Master Satyajit), Mehmood Junior, Jayshree Gadkar and Dara Singh in key roles.

Released under the Joy Films’ banner, Hari Darshan (1972) also starred Sujata, Sanjana, Kalpana Diwan, Sadhana Khote, Sarla Dund, Anwari Bai, Rekha Chauhan, Abhi Bhattacharya, Shahu Modak, Asit Sen, Babu Raje, Hercules, Shree Bhagwan, Ram Mohan, Dilip Dutt, Radhe Shyam, Baby Rupa, Ali Akbar, Salim, Sunil, Dinanath, Dalpat and Waseem in supporting roles.

A Hindu devotional, the story of Hari Darshan (1972) was based on the ancient story of powerful demon king Hiranyakashipu and his god-worshipping son, Prahlad. Hiranyakashipu’s younger brother, Hiranyaksha is slain by an avatar of the preserver of the universe, Lord Vishnu. Wanting revenge, Hiranyakashipu performs extreme penance to obtain a boon from the creator of the universe, Lord Brahma. Hiranyakashipu craftily asks that he should neither be killed by a human nor an animal, neither indoors nor outdoors, neither during the day nor at night, neither on the earth nor in the sky, nor by any weapon. When the boon is granted, Hiranyakashipu believes he has become all-powerful and immortal. He outlaws worship of Lord Vishnu and compels everyone to worship him instead. Evil grows on the face of the earth and so do the demon king’s followers. To restore balance, Lord Vishnu carves out a divine plan. He makes Hiranyakashipu’s own son, Prahlad, his most ardent devotee from childhood.

When all of Hiranyakashipu’s efforts to make Prahlad abandon his devotion for Lord Vishnu fail, he orders his killing. However, multiple attempts on Prahlad’s life are miraculously foiled and he remains steadfast in his devotion towards Lord Vishnu. Finally, Hiranyakashipu’s sister Holika, who has been grated a boon that protects her from fire, places Prahlad on her lap and sits on a burning pyre. Prahlad prays fervently to Lord Vishnu and emerges unscathed, while Holika is consumed by the flames. This is traditionally remembered and symbolically represented by the burning of a sacred fire during Holi Dahan.

Printed and circulated during a subsequent release run of the film (somewhere in the 1970s), this Hari Darshan poster was printed for publicity of the film in north Indian theaters but never ended up being used.

This Indian mythology poster was originally designed in hand painted oil on canvas format by a Delhi based Bollywood poster design studio and features striking artwork.

Professional wrestler turned actor, Randhawa is seen in a stunning illustration in his character of demon king Hiranyakashipu on the top left of this old Bollywood poster. Actress B. Saroja Devi who plays the role of his wife Kayadhu is seen in a close up hand drawn portrait alongside. Devotee Prahlad played by Satyajeet Puri (Master Satyajit) is seen fervently praying to Lord Vishnu while he is being boiled alive in a pot of oil.

Typography used in this Hari Darshan poster is primarily in English, with a translation of the title appearing in both Devanagari Hindi as well as Urdu on the top. The main Devanagari Hindi title appears in a striking yellow font encased in a red box at bottom of this vintage Bollywood poster.

The soundtrack album of Hari Darshan (1972) was composed by noted music composer duo Kalyanji-Anandji. It featured memorable devotional songs such as “Jai Jai Narayan” sung by Mahendra Kapoor & Lata Mangeshkar and “Karo Hari Darshan” sung by Mahendra Kapoor, which are fondly played in religious festivals till today.