Minoo katrak biography

Alam Ara

1931

“Alam Ara”, the successful effort of Sri Ardesir M-Irani of making 1st talkie film of India in Imperial Studio by meeting series of obstruction and complications in shooting and thus set a record and helped get Indian film industry worldwide recognition.

Date of release of 1st talkie film (in Majetic Cinema)

14th March 1931

The film fans (the inquisitive crowd to see first sound film) had made a big gathering nearby the Majestic cinema. It was a tough job to take the film reels to cinema hall. Police force had been called to control the mob. It’s an ever-remembering day for Indian cinema.

1932

Minoo Katrak

1st Professional Sound Recordist

He was an employee (Sound Technician) to All India Radio and had come to join films on optional choice. He stared with ‘Sant Tukaram’ and gradually proved himself the First professional Sound Recordist of the Indian film Industry. He died due to cancer.

Shikari

1932

1st talkie film on Fidelytone sound system

‘Alam Ara’ was recorded on Tenar system, The Eastern Film Ltd. company’s 35mm B&W

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Minoo Katrak

Legendary sound recordist Minoo Katrak, or fondly addressed as Minoo Baba, was born on 26 June 1906 in Bombay. He started his career in the film industry probably in 1933. He tried his hand at production but finally stuck to sound recording. He was one of the most prominent technicians of his time and a master in recording and re-recording songs and background music. His first project was Sant Tukaram (1936) but it is not known in which department Katrak worked. 

Before becoming the chief sound recordist in Famous Studios in Tardeo, Minoo Katrak worked in films like Laxmi (1940), Vanmala (1941), Sharda (1942), Prestige or Pehle Aap (1944) and Kanoon (1943). After Famous Studios was established in 1946 in Tardeo, Minoo Katrak joined there and became the man behind some of the most unforgettable melodies of the Hindi screen. The studio was liked by many top musicians not only because the acoustics were way better than the makeshift spaces they used to record in till then, but also because it was air-conditioned.

Starting out with the well-received Mela (1948), K

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