Bioscope films near India Gate lawns on the verge of extinction
Traveling back to the late 1890s, the bioscopes were the only form of entertainment.
New Delhi: “Many youngsters don’t even know what is a bioscope. It is getting obsolete. I charge Rs 20 per two-minute clip. I enjoy doing this work. My father has been in this business for 55 years and I am continuing his legacy. We both sell and make these bioscopes,” said one such vendor Mohammad Israel standing in front of the India Gate.
Traveling back to the late 1890s, the bioscopes were the only form of entertainment. Films shown in the bioscope were primitive and the showmen themselves made the earliest. Following this was the birth of commercial films, which changed the milieu completely. With the advent of technology, this form has been pushed on the verge of extinction.
In the capital, the spots where one can still find the bioscopes are the road dividing India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhawan, Pragati Maidan, and Dilli Haat. Around 15 people visit the India Gate daily with a ‘travelling movie theatre’ in their hands, trying their best to showcase the ‘classic bioscope’.
“Even now, after advancement in technology, the parents want their children to experience and cherish this old form of entertainment playing still pictures of monuments and old movie posters,” said Israel. He also stated that he does get offers from parties and weddings to entertain children with his bioscope.
“It was fine but got boring after one minute,” complained six-year-old Srishti. These “bioscope wallahs” are facing the hassle of employment. “After the schools get over, some children come here to see the bioscope. Then I come here at 6 pm and then go back at 12 am,” smiled Israel.
Many families survived because of this business in the past. But, with the advent of technology, people have switched to other modes of entertainment.
With the emergence of television, mobile phones, laptops, computers, cinemas and DVD players, the craze of the bioscope among children and youngsters is dwindling. Despite dying a slow death, the bioscope wallahs are fighting for their existence, but are also switching to something productive and profitable.
The bioscopes work on batteries and have four boxes from where clips can be een. Inside it, there is a roll consisting still pictures of monuments and old movie scenes and posters. There is a device fitted inside the bioscope, which plays music as background effects.