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Boot Polish (1954)

Poster
ca. 1970s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This film tells the story of two orphans forced to become beggars in Bombay and their struggle to make an honest living by shining shoes. This original design shows the two children looking into the horizon full of hope and optimism for the future of a new independent India.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBoot Polish (1954)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph on paper
Brief description
Indian film poster.
Physical description
In the centre of the poster are two children, a boy and a girl standing looking hopefully into the distance. The boy carries a shoe-shine brush and is depicted with his arm raised as if in defiance. There are a group of people in silhouette in the foreground watching the children and a sunset glows in the background.
Dimensions
  • Height: 76cm
  • Width: 51cm
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
This film tells the story of two orphans forced to become beggars in Bombay and their struggle to make an honest living by shining shoes. The original poster shows the two children looking into the horizon full of hope and optimism for the future of a new independent India. A poster produced for a later re-release of the film conveys the theme of the film through an image which is a literal translation of the title. The eye-catching blue background adds a contemporary feel.
Credit line
Given by R.K. Studios, Mumbai, India
Production
reprint of original design
Subject depicted
Summary
This film tells the story of two orphans forced to become beggars in Bombay and their struggle to make an honest living by shining shoes. This original design shows the two children looking into the horizon full of hope and optimism for the future of a new independent India.
Associated objects
Bibliographic reference
Rachel Dwyer & Divia Patel, Cinema India: The Visual Culture of the Hindi Film, Reaktion Press, 2002.
Collection
Accession number
IS.27-2001

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Record createdAugust 22, 2001
Record URL
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