Is Geet (the show) becoming too westernized? - Page 10

Originally posted by: JanakiRaghunath

One more thing, just because I use siggies and avis of television mythos does not mean I base my knowledge off of them. I've encountered this same kind of 'welcome' from many people, especially from the DM. I only use the avis and siggies because I love those mytho shows, just like you all love Geet. I love those mytho shows because I personally feel they portrayed the Gods in an accurate manner (simply my opinion), but I strictly DO NOT base my Ramayana/Mahabharata knowledge off of serials or movies. I actually do read, as surprising as it may sound to some people.😉

Back to the topic at hand....

1. One thing I want to make clear to people. I personally DETEST SaasBahu soaps. What made you all think I love all those trashy saasbahu soaps just because I want Geet (the show) to be a bit more cultured? Believe me, I am a huge disapprover of Kekta's wailing women/melodramatic shows. I don't even watch much TV shows, mainly mythological ones. I watch the old Ramayana and Shri Krishna by Dr. Ramanand Sagar, Mahabharata by BR Chopra, and the recent NDTV Ramayana with Guru and Debi by Anand Sagar, as well as Jai Shri Krishna with Dhriti/Meghan by Meenakshi Sagar. I only enjoy mythological shows, and rarely rarely follow everyday serials, espcially saas bahu ones. It really hurts that you all have come to such a sudden uncalled for conclusion just because I dared criticize Geet (the show) even a bit.

One more thing. I think it very very rude to put down other shows like DMG and MJHT in this forum, as they too are highly popular shows and many fans of DMG and MJHT are also fans of Geet, and you all who are putting down those shows are only hurting the Geet fans here who love them also. Please, leave out other shows from this discussion.

First of all, it was you who brought DMG and MJHT into this topic becuz, you stated that Geet was "copying or had similar scenes from DMG and MJHT" becuz, of the romantic scenes. I personally did watch DMG but, I don't like how the story was being dragged and not moving forward. For people who don't like those shows, they won't like it if you compare their favorite show like Geet to shows they don't like??? I mean I personally feel that presently Geet has the most interesting story and something different and more meaningful to show to the audience which is why it is a Number 1 rank right now on Star One. How many others shows do we actually see that the main protagonist is a pregnant woman struggling to stand up for herself in the world where society wants to put her down and how she falls in love but, can't even experience that happiness becuz, of such a huge responsibility on her at such a tender age. So, it was you who compared Geet to MJHT and DMG so, basically you shouldn't have brought them up in this discussion if you didn't want them dragged and wanted them left out?? I mean all of a sudden you stated that its not fair for the fans of MJHT and DMG to see their show being put down but, its also not fair for the Geet fans to see their show being compared and put down either!

2. I NEVER once in my post implied that Geet (the character) is becoming westernized, so all of you who have been bashing me because of that are just.....

I'm sorry, but can't you fans take even a bit of critcicism? For every show, whether it be famous or not, there will be fans and people who do not like certain aspects of the show.

You know, I did like Geet (the show) in the beginning, as it portrayed many unique aspects like women burning, NRI marriages, etc, and I had hope in Geet that it would continue like that, but not EVERY part of a populated city is modernized.

The majority of my family in India live in cities, and they all live in areas which are very much traditional, and normal. If the CVs of Geet want to portray city life, they should portray both the western aspect of it as well as the old fashioned, or else it is not ACCURATE.

They are showing both the western and old-fashioned part of Indian life in Geet. I do agree that not all of India is "westernized" but, I also believe that not all of India is "old-fashioned." And Geet is working in a office environment among coworkers of a company so obviously people will be dressed in a business attire. I do understand that there are people who do wear salwaar kameez to work and in Geet we see that its only Geet that's wearing salwaar kameez and the rest of the office staff are in modern skirts and dresses. But, I remember in one episode when Geet was about to be hired, Sasha didn't want to hire her becuz, of the way Geet was dressed so, I am guessing that Sasha probably hires only modernized women to work in their office.

Also, being traditional does NOT mean one supports bride burnings, dowry death, or bad NRI marriages. That is such a heinous conclusion to come to about someone. Being traditional means one supports dignity, sincerity, and the precious Indian ideals which make us different from other nations and cultures. I do not mean to put down the western culture, as there are many aspects of it I also like, but if I wanted to watch a western show, I would just turn on any English soap.

You guys don't know, but the reason many people pay for Indian channels from foreign nations is so that they can feel a part of India by living so far from it. They want to feel close to their culture by watching the shows, be reminded of what they left behind....you people who live in India cannot understand this, as you all want westernization in shows because you find it fascinating in intriguing. But we people living in western countries can watch western shows whenever we want. When we turn on an Indian channel, we wish to see something that promotes the Indian culture, not actresses wearing skimpy little outfits in clubs shaking their butts and Lord alone knows what around like a pair of crazy baboons.

@Blue: Also, I don't believe that you should just jump to assumptions here about why people watch this show and so and so. I live overseas but, yet I certainly do not just watch Geet becuz, I feel close to my culture by watching this show. I feel close to my culture by the family values I hold, I feel close to my culture when I respect my parents and elders, I feel close to my culture when celebrating holidays like Diwali, Rakhsha Bandhan, Holi with family and friends. So, for me I watch a show for entertainment purposes and not becuz, I feel close to my culture just by watching it. I don't need a show to be close to my culture becuz, I know my culture and it doesn't matter where I live it's a part of who I am.

Also, I don't understand how the show is Geet is depicted as a "western" show now??? If its that western as you say it is then I guess Americans should start watching Geet too and I guess they won't have any problem understanding it becuz, it is a portrayal of completely "western" culture right?

Also, you stated your views on how you liked it better when Geet was shown as naiive girl and how you think that it would "elevate her character" if she was portrayed like Sita, a sacrificing woman. First of all, you stated yourself that Sita was incarnation of the Goddess Laxmi. So, you agree right that she was Goddess herself. But, Geet is an ordinary human being and she is no Goddess to bear so much sacrifices for. A woman's identity is not reflected on how much sacrifices she can make.

I just believe that times have changed from Sita's time. As per my understanding of Ramayan, Raavan didn't touch Sita even though she stayed in captivity for such a length of time in Lanka. In today's society, it doesn't work that way! Some people are way more worse than Raavan, today if a guy kidnaps a girl''..he will physically assault her and rape her before letting her go and sometimes even murdering her so, no one will know what he did with her. As times have changed so, have a woman's position in society. Though I do respect Sita but, I feel that a woman needs to at times fight for her rights and stand up for herself becuz, if you are too naiive and innocent in this world then society will take advantage of you and you will just suffer and people don't really care! The reality of life is a bit more bitter we are on this on our own and its the survival of the fittest so, if you don't fight back society will just not let you live.

Women like Jhansi ki rani and other notable female freedom fighters went against the norms of society at the time. Women were not expected to fight in wars and women today aren't really active in wars (and when I mean by wars, I mean fighting on the border) its always depicted as a men's thing by society. So, these women took a chance and went against what was commonly expected of a woman back then and fought against the British.

I am just saying that a woman is also a human being and she has every right to be happy just like a man does. So, its not fair that a woman is always expected to be sacrificing and suffering. So, the idea that she should be sacrificing should be up to a certain limit. But, I strongly feel that if a woman is wrongly accused then she should not just back off and weep but, stand up for herself and live her life in her own means instead of a sacrificing life for others becuz, life is a very precious thing which should be lived to the fullest. You shouldn't live your life for others becuz, everyone in this world lives for themselves so, if you spend your whole life sacrificing for others then you haven't really lived your life at all.

You know, I had no problem with Geet until the club episode where they showed so many people barely wearing anything.👎🏼 Geet was dressed fine, but what was up with Pari, or the other girls? And how about Maan and Geet's dance? Unlike the previous one at the office party, this one was waaaay to intimate for little children to watch (and kids do watch Star One shows, you know). And you all think this is accepted behavior?😕 You think this is what true love means? Dancing against someone's body and kissing and hugging them like you are tied to them in any way whatsoever? Do you guys even know the meaning of true love? No, leave that aside. Do you know what is PURE love?

First of all, if you are watching Geet than I am sure you would know that Geet and Maan obviously do feel for each other. Also, I don't believe the love is only physical means it is both emotional and spiritual at the same time. But, you can't forget that kissing, hugging is a expression of your love to other person. There's really nothing wrong with that if you truly love that other person. I don't understand what Maan and Geet did that was just so wrong they just merely hugged each other? They do love each other and if they do get carried away in each others eyes then its reflection of their intense feelings for one another. They don't look at each other lustily but, truly do care for each other. Maan and Geet don't lust for each other, its not that they just want to sleep with each other and thats it. Then that will not be called love. But, we know how much depth their feelings are for each other the way they respect one another in their hearts, even among their fights they have a level of deep understanding for one another, they can say whatever they want to each other but, will stand up for each other if a third person says anything bad about the other person. Their wanting to be with each other but, yet holding back their feelings shows just how beautiful and intense their love is.

I just know that love is love and there's really no definition for love. Love is certainly not lust. But, your definition of pure love may be different from what others interpret as pure love. Love cannot be defined it is a universal language which everyone expresses differently. But, I don't understand that if two people truly love each other then how else are you supposed to show romance if you think that a mere hugging is wrong???

In addition, I certainly do not agree that just becuz, a girl wears modern dresses she doesn't have any indian values or that she is completely "westernized." There are girls out there who may dress modernly or "westernized" but, inside they have their family and cultural values intact.

And then some people think it right to bring in Ram and Sita's love, and putting down Shri Ram's love by claiming Maan's love is more real. What's up with that?

I am really put off by your replies. I expected a mature take on my post, and though some of you have (thank you to those for that), the majority of you started bashing me like I was saying something against your Gods or something. If you cannot take a bit of criticism towards something you like, you are not a fan.

Please. Be a fan if you want, but do NOT turn into fanatics. That's just tooooo much.

@Blue I would also like to add that I think that its not the fact that some people cannot take criticism its just that you will find that some people may not agree with what you said it doesn't mean that they are fanatics and not fans! I think a person is open to criticize but, he/she needs to be aware of that fact that there will be people out there who will not agree with their criticism and they will state their viewpoints as well so, they may criticize on points they may not agree with.

This is my last reply in this thread...unless I receive more mature replies.

Thanks,

Janu

My points @RED

With all due respect Janaki, eastern thinking does not stem from some moral high ground and western thinking from some moral morass. Both thinking arise from the same point of fact that man and woman exist to complete each other be it mystic east or magnificent west.

Eastern philosophy had given the sciences of occult, tantra and other areas of philosophy that are all based on the female energy and the expression or expostulation of such energy. Some of the shakthi cults arose from the same practice where woman is revered on the one end and on the other end she is nothing but an object of male desire.

Actually, going back to earlier times, sex was not such a taboo and a woman could express her desire freely.

While depicting a woman's sensual side, we have our natya shastra which worshiped the female organs and as is expressed in some of our sculptures from the original temple architecture.

Trying to show sensuality or woman' desire is not new in our literature and ultimately all cinema and television is nothing but literature.

Originally posted by: cacoethes

@topic maker.....i'd rather u go back to ur AD/BC times where u hail from 🤣 coz we dont think its becoming westernized or anything..........we love it.....i for one rather feel its lacking westernization and i want them to cross some certain boundaries! 🤣

@ lighteningbuzz

I would also like to point out one important aspect, what is the "Lingam" have you studied its genesis?

Popular Indian cinema exploits the lowest form of female sexuality by incorporating exposed bodies and cheap meaningless lust that serves only to plant misconceptions into the impressionable youth living in a society that regards sexuality like somewhat of a forbidden fruit

Most film makers portray the alternative of a female protagonist who is outspoken, confident of her abilities and displays self-assured body language as it would be deemed too threatening and is rarely seen. A shy, blushing damsel is usually the one who gets credited as the lead. As a result most films portray men as the ones making the first move and are assumed to be the sexually aggressive ones. The propriety of a love scene is determined by the intensity with which a man kisses a woman before the curtain falls.

Now I ask, have we not heard of this idiom called "ART IMITATES LIFE"

So, does that mean that woman are never displaying their desire or never express their desire in real life then if that is the case, and women are just vehicles of satisfying male desire, then I guess films/TV serials/literature should portray the same, Right!

So, there is no such thing as a empowered woman right?! By your token of understanding. That means that no woman in India has ever looked at a man with desire or expressed her desire or initiated a kiss.

Is that the reality? Was that ever the reality? Or do we just want to believe in the myths that society perpetuates to keep the woman subdued and within the limits of what it counts as acceptable behavior.

A famous Telugu intellectual called Chalam had this to say, "the day a woman expresses her desire, men will lose their power, that is why men keep that myth alive that they are the aggressors or that they are powerful though it is the female who is more empowered."

@Bri: ZABARDUST post!!! ⭐️ loved the saying :)

Thanks for writing this 🤗

Originally posted by: bDgT

Is that the reality? Was that ever the reality? Or do we just want to believe in the myths that society perpetuates to keep the woman subdued and within the limits of what it counts as acceptable behavior.

In our art forms:

Raja Ravi Varma's paintings combined the sacred and the seductive: passive Mandodari suffering her unfaithful husband; unhappy, abandoned Shakunthala; Draupadi in a state of utter despair; coquettish Menaka seducing the sage Vishwamitra; and the many portraits of beautiful, winsome women, identifiable female types of his time. So do you call this "westernized"

@Janaki: In reply to your reply above, could you point out to me where i had shown disrespect to you personally or to your topic for me to be called a "12-yr. old"

Well, coming to your prognosis that "love" is only "sacred" between married couples and hence otherwise it should not be portrayed, well, that is not the reality or are you saying that art should not imitate life or that people should not grow with the times and should be rooted in some AD/BC (your connotation here, I never said you should go into AD/BC, i was only giving examples)