Tarana

Vintage Bollywood poster for sale of the hit Hindi film Tarana (1951).

Featured here is an actual surviving old Bollywood poster of the 1951 romantic Hindi film directed by Ram Daryani that starred the ultimate method actor in Bollywood, Dilip Kumar in the lead role opposite the “Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood,” Madhubala.

Tarana was the first film to star superstars Dilip Kumar and Madhubala together, making this vintage Bollywood poster, highly collectible!

The legendary romance between Dilip Kumar and Madhubala began on the sets of Tarana (1951) when the two superstars were shooting together for the first time. The fairytale romance between the two finally ended on the sets of Naya Daur (1957).

Printed and circulated during a subsequent release of the film (somewhere in the 1960s), this vintage Bollywood movie poster was printed for publicity of the film in Kolkata theaters but never ended up being used.

Tarana (1951) told the story of Dr. Motilal (Dilip Kumar), who is left stranded in a small village after a plane crash. Sheltered by a blind old man called Surdas, Dr. Motilal falls in love with his innocent daughter Tarana (Madhubala). However, unbeknownst to him, back in the city his father has already arranged his marriage with an affluent girl called Sheela (Shyama). Meanwhile, a rich villager called Totaram (Gope) wants to marry Tarana and schemes to drive a wedge between her relationship with Dr. Motilal.

This Madhubala poster was originally designed in hand painted oil on canvas format by an art studio in Kolkata and features a striking design. Quirky hand drawn portraits of the lead couple Dilip Kumar and Madhubala are seen in a romantic pose. The use of red and gray color tones gives this Tarana poster a beautiful vintage feel.

As was the norm with localized posters of the era, this vintage Bollywood poster has been designed and printed using only two colors (understandably to save on design and print costs).

Tarana (1951). is remembered for its music composed by the pioneer of Indian orchestra music in Hindi cinema, Anil Biswas. Tracks like the popular duet sung by Talat Mehmood and Lata Mangeshkar, “Seene Mein Sulagte Hain Armaan” are fondly remembered and played till today.