Regressive message at the flick of a button

Interesting articles by two women writers who wrote in a newspaper Links r also given

Regressive message at the flick of a button

Loud, sensational promos hauled me into watching a certain dramaturgy on television. Prominent disclaimers notwithstanding, it is shocking to find such lurid serials, unconscionably bereft of social and moral responsibility, grossly violating human rights on many accounts on air, and easily accessible to millions of viewers.

The story portrays a character of the third gender ' scion of an affluent family, who is so obsessed with keeping his gender identity a secret that he murders whoever suspects his reality and marries a visually impaired girl with the intention of hoodwinking her into having relations with a mutual friend in order to beget an heir. All this is to provide proof of his own virility to the world. When the plan fails, this person gets his uncle to forcibly try and impregnate her. Needless to say, he inflicts inhuman torture on his wife to get his way. All this, pray, in an apparent bid to avoid social ostracism.

The serial makers don't seem to have heard of sex-reconstruction surgery or artificial insemination, though the setting is so obviously contemporary.

Going by what powerful influence the electronic media has on the masses, such soaps which are a switch of the button away could have hazardous repercussions on society.

At a sensitive juncture when the differently gendered are gradually being integrated into the mainstream, shows depicting even one such individual in a negative light could prove detrimental to the community as a whole. These people have been championing the cause of a life of quality and dignity like that of any other human being for generations. After intensive campaigning by transgender activists, especially in Tamil Nadu, certain strides have been made ' notably the acknowledgement of the third sex in passport application forms, voter identity cards, the 'T' provision apart from the usual 'M' and 'F' in ration cards in Tamil Nadu and, most recently, reservation in certain educational institutions.

Laypersons who may be broad enough to accept sexual minorities in the spheres they inhabit are at the risk of reverting to their original prejudices by such an offensive portrayal, thereby once again branding the entire community 'bad'. Except for a chosen few who work as hairdressers, masseurs, etc., and a handful who may be getting degrees, people of the third gender are forced to resort to begging or prostitution to earn their livelihood. Painting an unflattering picture of them might ensure they stay marginalised forever, totally nullifying the earnest efforts of activists.

Potential targets

Women with disabilities, such as the visually impaired lead in this one, may come across to the general public as vulnerable targets that can be ruthlessly exploited. It is unusual for viewers to look at the larger picture and appreciate what such women can ultimately do ' be it showing bravado, standing on their feet or fighting for their justice. Instead, such shows are more likely to highlight their weakness and give criminals ideas of how women can be made targets of atrocities.

I have illustrated this serial as a case in point because of its especial coarseness. There are others in equally poor taste; brazenly showcasing (propagating?) casteism, child marriage and superstition, ostensibly spreading awareness. In the name of Indian tradition, married women (always decked in garish saris and jewellery), perpetually quarantined in kitchens, seem to have no agenda other than pleasing their menfolk. The unmarried ones nurture no dreams other than matrimony.

As my mother reminisces and applauds the socially relevant 'Hum Log' and the highly inspirational 'Udaan' of the 1980s, I fervently look forward to the day such serials are made once again.

(http://www.hindu.com/op/2010/10/31/stories/2010103150021200.htm

Why demean and demonise women?

TV soaps nowadays are notorious for female villainy.

I have had a few requests to write about women respecting one another and not adding woes to ourselves and to our sisters. Actually, this theme has been very much in my thoughts for quite a few years now. More so, since TV soaps were started in our country, especially, Balaji Telefilms' saas-bahu tales, copied into all languages. The earlier, 13-episode serials were interesting and full of humour and pathos. No venom and revenge. The worst feature would be that the so-called heroine was mostly blind to the happenings around her and remained an absolute fool! When women's groups protested and asked the producer why she was projecting women in such a bad light, she said she was just depicting ordinary family happenings! But now the TV serials are far worse in female villainy!

The big screen has had its share of promoting these themes, but the part played by the villains, male or female, was short-lived and we could forget about them once we were out of the cinema, the only exception being Gabbar Singh from Sholay. But the small screen serials are invading our homes and staying there permanently. Even the positive-minded women are eagerly waiting to see what evil happens next. Worse still are the length of time focussed on the villain's face from all angles and the music and drums leading the viewer into frenzy!

I was forced to watch an episode on a Telugu channel once, in which a little girl was given an oilbath, and the lady villain mixed some blinding chemical into shikakai applied on her. There was a 15-minute non-stop screaming by the girl, the music rising to a crescendo, and smug enjoyment on the villain's face. I was totally blinded with rage myself and had a huge fight with my highly educated sister, who was following that serial. This is one way that negative acts influence most of us ' negatively.

I have asked many relatives and friends why they, educated and thinking human beings, watch such serials. But I now know why, since it has happened to me too. The bug has bitten me too! The stories start in a very interesting and innocent manner to hook the viewer and the evil is gradually presented and increased in intensity, causing suspense, till you want to know what happened to the idiot heroine, which naturally will not be revealed till she is arrested and beaten up, and she loses everything including her "izzat." All this, while the serial celebrates a few years! What about the sponsors and ads, they also promote these demeaning acts.

The 'in-law' mania is strong world over, and more so in our country. The evils of the dowry system could be the main cause. Personally, I am very proud that my family has been freed of this, as my grandfather, the late Nemali Pattabhi Rama Rao, an erstwhile Dewan of Cochin, at the turn of the last century, used to walk out of the wedding hall if he came to know that dowry was being exchanged. (Today, will anyone care about anyone walking away?) Sorry, grandpa, this won't work in this age and time as our society has slipped further backwards.

The mother-in-law and the sister-in-law are also women and mothers in their own right. Please respect them and help them respect themselves. The same goes for daughters-in-law. A 'mother' knows no feeling other than love, most of the time. So please bring forth love and not negative feelings like hatred, deceit, envy and anger towards others, more so towards women. I know that it is easy to write and mouth these lofty thoughts, but it is definitely possible to overcome the negatives with education, guidance and a spiritual outlook.

http://www.hindu.com/op/2010/10/31/stories/2010103150031200.htm

I am of the same view as the writers .
i do not watch the serials but get the drift of the story while surfing the tv programs.
The serial under ref is Rakht sambandh where the male protaganist is a neuter .
Even with so much knowledge available on the TV internet etc , the writers hang on to the obsolete ideas when science had not made some advancements .
Laado serial mentions ( many others too ) that either the child or the mother will survive thiugh the mother is seen healthy & active . It is only to create drama in life forgetting the real solutions available.
When in Laado a man is sterile , the mother wants the daughter in law to copulate with the younger brother . They are a very rich family , the son has been educated abroad . The woman could have been artificially inseminated by the younger brother's sperms in a fertility clinic . But the writers ignore these facts & the producers accept the story & the viewers watch avidly .

Both writers have expressed exactly what I have been saying publicly and privately. These telly serials are nothing short of disgusting.

Couldn't stop myself from commenting. Very interesting articles. I agree with the writer - to a very large extent the "drama" which we witness today in serials consisting of murders, rape, EMA, culprits facing very less punishments, female leads being tortured for long and them being mahaan and perfect with everyone around them making mistakes, divorces happening for small issues, multiple marriages etc., most started with the ekta kapoor serials. I absolutely hated how she portrayed female leads as devi, making no mistakes and the negative characters as ppl obsessed with the destruction of the leads for no reason. The trp system came at the same time i think. The content worsened day by day. But now a new trend has started whereby the negatives are being immortalised and given more screen space and women are shown weak with no self respect. The audience are also to be blamed. They accept any stuff shown in the name of entertainment.Rapes, EMA,domestic violence etc., are issues which should be treated with sensitivity but are being dramatised in the worst possible ways. Two of the colors shows have most of the above mentioned happening. The majority of the viewers are women. Why accept such disgusting stuff in the name of entertainment? Even reality shows these days have resorted to cheap gimmicks and they are accepted. Serials which start with strong messages are also forced to follow this trend for want of trps in the long run or are forced shut. Rarely do good soaps get accepted. Why is there no censor board for serials like films? Tv serials badly need one IMO. The TRP system is here to stay. So one can only hope the audience change for the better and demand quality entertainment.

Originally posted by: gardes

Both writers have expressed exactly what I have been saying publicly and privately. These telly serials are nothing short of disgusting.

Getting ready for work one day, I happened to come across Saathiya (or some such name) on Star Plus. The mousy female lead is tortured not only by her MIL and SILs but also the mother of one of the SILs who gleefully keeps teaching her daughter how to toture her mousy SIL.

What nonsense! The women are depicted in a Gujarati family, I believe, and they are decked like gold is sold like channa in the bazaar. All the garrish outfits and jewelry does not suit ANY of them, least of all the main lead, who is a petite little thing. She is constantly crying from the atyaachaar on her from SILs, MIL, mother of SIL, the husband, the BILs and the town they live in. Not one person is shown to have sympathy. But somehow from somewhere God intervenes and she is saved only to start all over again with more vengence. I have yet to figure out what her "fault" is in all this. I am tempted to walk her to the ledge and push her myself to end her misery! Maybe mine too from having to watch her.

Why have the more liberated women of India not protested these portrayals of women?

Chalhov good one and most of the facts seems to be true to me..not aware of what general people here thinks but according to my Ma below quoated text from article are exact her words..Nver seen these serials but whtever i hear these are some benchmarks to which every other indian compares daily soap..

As my mother reminisces and applauds the socially relevant 'Hum Log' and the highly inspirational 'Udaan' of the 1980s, I fervently look forward to the day such serials are made once again.

for me..i m not a serial freak and dont see the daily soaps.. Cb for me was an pleasent accident n eversince i saw one of its epi. while vising my parents i followed it from forum..mainly coz of avina n now forum....will do that if CB2 comes only for Forum n Avina coz i know once started all serial will become same and this is the fact so cant change it right now...following CB from the forum i got an idea as to how all other serials are and completely conform to the article..

Sad thruth is toadys entertainment industry inclusding all the news channel are all money mongers, they dont have iota of social responibility and in name of chrurning money they dont bother to show some degrading inhumane stuff which ought to be banned by civilized society but here the channels feel no shame to promote the same....sometimes people tend to support these kind of cheap dramas (normally trps are high whenever some big twist is on the course..) as they give some sort of emotional/mental pleasure (for a section of society)..

Eventhough channels defends by saying they show the real social issues they are mistaken or ignorant...True some serials start with some msg but as i said all ends up being in the same league of melodramatic twists and turn far away from reality..which sucks bad time..

Now my whole family prefer to watch SAB and whenever i get some time i follow FIR, TMKUC and other light hearted serials..they are pretty much safe to watch..my Ma is now a way happy person and would advice my friends here to sometime try SAB..

Thanks Chalhov.

This show that they are talking about has been promoted by many India forum members. I have seen members urging each other in other forums to watch this show. The short introduction of the show made me run. Forget about artificial insemination why can't they talk about adoption as a viable option........but then after seeing the treatment that Radhika got, I don't want any show to be made about adoption.

Colors channel has three long going shows (they are usually in top 10) where the lead female protagonists have disappered..I mean they will either be killed off or are continuosly crying while the female negative leads are now the centre of the show. There are so many immature people ruling the roost in the production houses that they invariably mix up the acting capability of the negative lead with the characters in the show. All these three actresses are very good.....infact two are well known theatre personalities and they do keep on winning awards. These production people think that since they are winning awards they are popular and hence their roles should be more. They forget that most people nominate the actors for their acting. As a result the initial concept of the story gets lost and everything goes down.

Most shows in all channels use these so called social problems as means to get TRPs..........nothing else. The female lead either cries or goes out in Jhansi ki rani sytle.........and the morbid curiosity of the audience does the rest. Until and unless the audience protests this will continue.

Originally posted by: JustShanta

pseudo liberals , see these soaps as inconsequential..

all entertainment ! ...

a huge, can of worms..putrid !

kudos to the writers !

much thanks to you , Chalhovji

Originally posted by: interest

I am of the same view as the writers .
i do not watch the serials but get the drift of the story while surfing the tv programs.
The serial under ref is Rakht sambandh where the male protaganist is a neuter .
Even with so much knowledge available on the TV internet etc , the writers hang on to the obsolete ideas when science had not made some advancements .
Laado serial mentions ( many others too ) that either the child or the mother will survive thiugh the mother is seen healthy & active . It is only to create drama in life forgetting the real solutions available.
When in Laado a man is sterile , the mother wants the daughter in law to copulate with the younger brother . They are a very rich family , the son has been educated abroad . The woman could have been artificially inseminated by the younger brother's sperms in a fertility clinic . But the writers ignore these facts & the producers accept the story & the viewers watch avidly .

When I read these articles I found their thoughts reflecting in many of the members in different posts I read from time to time in this forum though I do go to some forums its only limited to reading updates on different shows but they r very limited.I saw CB maybe after 20years and earlier seen Buniyaad and in between Malgudi days and maybe a few episodes of Bharaat ek khoj I think this sort of stories started with the private entertainment channels and now it looks like the more wicked and horrible the antagonists r and the more troubles and worse situations the protagonists have to face the more the trps.😕The writers also appear to be manufacturing the same type of clones using scenes songs situations from one serial to another.One thing I know in my friends circle very few watch serials

Originally posted by: gardes

Both writers have expressed exactly what I have been saying publicly and privately. These telly serials are nothing short of disgusting.

Getting ready for work one day, I happened to come across Saathiya (or some such name) on Star Plus. The mousy female lead is tortured not only by her MIL and SILs but also the mother of one of the SILs who gleefully keeps teaching her daughter how to torture her mousy SIL.

What nonsense! The women are depicted in a Gujarati family, I believe, and they are decked like gold is sold like channa in the bazaar. All the garrish outfits and jewelry does not suit ANY of them, least of all the main lead, who is a petite little thing. She is constantly crying from the atyaachaar on her from SILs, MIL, mother of SIL, the husband, the BILs and the town they live in. Not one person is shown to have sympathy. But somehow from somewhere God intervenes and she is saved only to start all over again with more vengence. I have yet to figure out what her "fault" is in all this. I am tempted to walk her to the ledge and push her myself to end her misery! Maybe mine too from having to watch her.

Why have the more liberated women of India not protested these portrayals of women?

Grades wise lady true it does reflect lot of the thoughts posted here in different posts during the amma fire accident and looks like the more torture the female lead goes through the more it gets the TRps but all channels r only selecting such stories.Once the doordarshan monopoly stopped except for indecency there seems to be no censorship on the story lines. lot of professionals do not watch as they dont have any time housewives dont bother to get involved if it gets too violent they dont see some episodes then resume.so as long as someone takes this issue on a mass scale this trend will continue.😕😲 one or two such items once in a while wont change the scenario.