Vol. 1955No. 026Republic in formation
The India you were born into
Wednesday26 January1955
For 26 January 1955, the useful question is not only what made headlines, but how language and public culture felt in an India where india was asserting a distinct voice in the post-colonial world while pursuing industrialisation at home.
Change dateThe Front Page
India marks Republic Day
The Constitution and the Republic are commemorated nationwide
India observes Republic Day, marking the day the Constitution came into force in 1950.
Shantiswaroop Bhatnagar, famous Indian Chemical Expert, died.
Shantiswaroop Bhatnagar, famous Indian Chemical Expert, died.
India in Numbers
A snapshot of India when you were born.
In january 1955, a litre of petrol cost Loading… and a local phone call cost Loading….
Interpolated placeholder between benchmark years; replace with annual UN WPP estimate before publication. Not a census count. Source: current India population working dataset.
Prices from the month you were born, listed the way the kirana shop would have written them.
- The Hindu archive
- National archival records
- Press and public memory
04 · Sport
India on the field in 1955
Moment of the year · Hockey
India prepares for another Olympic hockey title defence
The national team remained among the world's leading hockey sides.
195505 · Cinema & music
What India was watching and humming
The film everyone queued for that month, and the song that played from every cassette player that year.
SHREE 420
Year 1955
Film of the year · 1955
Shree 420
Also in theatresDevdas · Mr. & Mrs. 55 · Seema · Udan Khatola · Azaad · Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje
Song of the year · 1955
"Mera Joota Hai Japani"
Also on the radio"Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua" · "Ramaiya Vastavaiya" · "Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh"
$ cat science-and-technology-1955
Radio, fixed telephony and institution-building
What science and technology looked like in India in 1955.
Technology moves closer to daily life
Computing, communication and consumer electronics were gradually moving from specialist institutions toward ordinary homes, offices and public life.
Faces of 1955
Satyajit Ray
Released 'Pather Panchali', bringing global critical acclaim to Indian parallel cinema.
Jawaharlal Nehru
Played a key role at the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, laying groundwork for the Non-Aligned Movement.
Dilip Kumar
Delivered a landmark performance in the title role of 'Devdas'.
B. R. Ambedkar
Published major social essays and announced his decision to embrace Buddhism.
Homi J. Bhabha
Presided over the International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy in Geneva.
Lata Mangeshkar
Recorded iconic songs for films like 'Shree 420', expanding her national reach.
09 · BEYOND INDIA
Beyond India
Before the internet put the world in our pockets, news from abroad arrived through telegrams, radios, television sets and eventually phones.
Bandung Conference opens
18 APR
Asian and African countries meet in Indonesia in a major statement of post-colonial solidarity.
1955, circled in red
The year India turned 8.