Originally posted by: sashashyam
Dear Kittya,
How lovely to hear from you after so long! And thank you so very much for your comments about my take on Harry Potter. Let me guess who the 'other' favourite author of yours is, Tolkien?
As for what you have said about the need to create a recognisable world with characters one can identify with, I agree with you totally, except that it is very rare to find anything of the kind on TV. The only one I can think of in recent times was Yashraj TV's Powder, telecast for 6 months from Jan-Jun 2010, in 26 one hour episodes, one a week. It was about the global narcotics trade, whence the name. As I know a good bit about the official agencies working to curb the drug trade in India and elsewhere, I was thrilled by the authenticity of the screenplay and the direction, and the excellent casting. Perhaps predictably, it did not do well in terms of the TRPs, in part because Sony did not promote and handle it well, and after a few more attempts, including a very good adaptation of Kane and Abel as a daily, again for 6 months, called Kismat, Yashraj gave up on TV, more is the pity. So we are left to the tender mercies of Balaji and the rest.
Let me wish you a healthy, peaceful and fulfilling 2013. Take care.
Shyamala
Whenever you respond to someone, I go back to the days of letter-writing, although I'm really not old enough to claim those days. It's always delightful popping into to the forum and reading your opinions on certain things, I may not always agree, but the simple pleasure of reading them is most definitely good enough for me. Believe it or not, I have actually not done much J.R.R. Tolkien reading. Every time I begin one of the books, I become distracted by something else and it moves to the bottom of my reading list. In recent months, being on forum, and indulging in a bit of fan-fiction writing, as well as discussions over in the Punar Vivaah forum, has taken up much of my free-time, and reduced my reading hours. Currently, I am about to start my journey with Tolkien yet again, in hopes of actually finishing a chapter this time. However, I'm not quite sure when that will be done with. I'm working my way through Anna Karenina. Since it's been some time since I've read "old English", the first few pages were tedious, but I've been re-acclimatised now.
All in all, the point of all these sentences is that Enid Blyton (believe it or not) was the other favourite. When I was younger, I had quite a voracious appetite for her work. I was always searching for any that could get my hands on. Most of the time, I read her books at night, and the effect was truly something else. It was her introduction to fairytales and magic that made the world of Harry Potter such an easy transition for me in some ways, for I was already familiar with goblins, wands and trolls. However, that certainly was not the reason for me staying with and following the Harry Potter series. Rowling penned such a world, that I simply could not stay away. The manner in which I read always allows me to see images rather than words on paper, and although the objects and places were foreign, the feelings evoked were not. I felt anger at the injustices, happiness with each success, fear when I could sense that something was about to go wrong, and I am not ashamed to admit that I shed tears when Dumbledore died. Her description of that moment, and the emotions following after were so powerful. When I ended the book, I could not stop replaying that moment over and over in my mind. Perhaps, what made it stronger was the poignant message that sometimes we can do all in our power to make a difference, but our efforts are simply not always enough. Sometimes the results really are not worth the act, but that does not make the journey any less important.
For a modern series, everything in there pointed to very interesting (and useful) subliminal messages, and it pains me to know that at times I sit watching drivel or reading trash. So many wasted hours keeping track of Pavitra Rishta when all it did was achieve new lows. I've been watching some movies recently, and I keep seeing the relationship that exists between jija-saali/devar-bhabhi and while I am modern, and of a different culture, I fail to see how the nonsense promoted in the show is greeted with such love and mindless adoration. It is as if viewers have foregone their senses to watch the foolishness they portray just for a half an hour of pleasure. Yet, I know, that atleast three quarter (Platform 9&3/4 just came to mind😆) of the people would never even allow themselves to allow their thoughts to wonder in their personal lives. Why allow this to slowly ooze into the minds of those younger who are still creating their moral compasses, and are not yet capable of keeping morals in mind when making important decisions about love, lust and marriage? Is it necessary to promote adultery to satisfy the masses? Are they implying that secretly the audience is married but has outside lovers? Or are they suggesting that it is a secret desire of many, so go ahead and try your chance at it?
When I finally stopped viewing Pavitra Rishta, I had become tired of having my common sense, intelligence and morality blatantly spat upon by those I went to for entertainment. I am not begging to be entertained, they have chosen to do so. Therefore, the least that can be done is having them respect my opinions as a viewer. Why destroy a "love" so strong in the first place? I can understand Purvi feeling indebted to Archana for her care, but surely anyone can see that with or without her "gifting" Arjun to the obsessed Ovi, Manav and Archana's marriage was doomed. Such unrealistic portrayals all around. Though the amusing thing is Archana and Manav atleast had real marital issues. Issues that could have been addressed in this show rather than showing bullscrank. Many couples have distrust, insecurity,meddling family members, etc. pulling them apart. Why not make the show truly "Pavitra" and show how these things were dealt with by the common man, and what measures should and should not be taken to maintain all of the relationships a married couple have. Atleast with Punar Vivaah, I am able to see a storyline, I know what message is coming across, and I understand the psychological make-up of the characters, but this...this stopped "currying" favour with me in all aspects.
I haven't seen any of the shows you mentioned, since I don't really have Indian television at home. However, judging from what I have seen of the Indian viewership, it seems many have become so accustomed to mediocre television content, that anything different in the right way is not well received. Producers everywhere bow to the pressure of TRPs and storylines are butchered from every angle to meet the "audience's desires". Characters are irrevocably damaged, messages are lost and nonsense reigns on the television. I watch Indian television specifically because it is so different from the amoral workings of some aspects of "Western" television. However, it seems certain things that make Indian television enjoyable are being slowly changed for the worse. Sure, some things needed to be changed. Yes, evolution is necessary. Yet the fact remains that not every popular fad is good. If people were to decide that walking nude on the streets was the new fashion statement, would that make it alright?
Well, let me stop here. I don't want to accidentally offend anyone, and I really must get to bed. It is rather late over here. All the best on your side for a wonderful new year. I hope it is prosperous, and that even in the not so prosperous times, something new is gained.
Yours sincerely,
Kittya.
(Seems that letter writing effect got to me in the end.)
Edited by Kittya_Cullen - 12 years ago
