The bastardization of Indian Television
It is with great regret, and a pinch of gut-wrenching shame, that I now announce the sad and official demise of Indian television. I am sure people have known of its death for a while now, but being one of the many blessed ones who don’t get to see it every day, I came to realise this tragic fact only recently. But before I go into the gory specifics, it is important to retrace my steps back a couple of decades. Maybe then, only then, can I make some sense of just how what used to be a major source of genuine entertainment came to such a sorry pass.
Growing up in a moderately self-assured India, the only television I knew was Doordarshan. I also know that the moment this name is mentioned many an eyes roll and tongues click with the clichéd tone that ‘Doordarshan’ is the name of a ghost that is now long gone. History. A pale memory from an era no one wants to be associated with anymore. I ordinarily would not have an issue with this attitude had there been something better to back it up with. But therein exists the success of my stereotypical tribute.
If Doordarshan is something we no longer care for, then why is it that the only serials and shows we can recall with joy even today are from that good old ghost’s lair? Be it anything from ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ to ‘Malgudi Days’. Or from ‘Byomkesh Bakshi’ to ‘Karamchand’. Or from ‘Mungerilal ke haseen sapne’ to ‘Wagle ki duniya’. What was it about these images that still make us smile in peace? Why did it not matter that there was no hype, no hoopla and nothing dramatic to tease our excitement craving bones? Was it because the quality of writing was so wonderfully textured into the lives we used to lead back then?
Or was it that we, as people, were genuinely so intellectually gifted that we did not need additional coaxing to send home a point? Was it that we were a generation of naturally creative minded and spiritually advanced people? Or was it that we knew what it meant for literature and art to work in unison as the stories from our textbooks leapt out into the modesty of Doordarshan’s program? What was it?
I have spent almost a decade fighting with these questions that continue to bother me with their simplistic gorgeousness. When did we stop being humans and become … well, drones? When did sending a child to be on TV go from being a friendly family atmosphere with ‘Meri awaaz suno’ or ‘Bournvita Quiz Contest’ to shows where the kids are humiliated to tears for not being ‘good enough’ by an adult who is paid to be rude to a child on national TV? When did clever game shows like ‘Crystal Maze’ be replaced by the nauseating reek of immaturity mixed with pretentious pile of horse dung called ‘Dadagiri’? What is going on dear India? When did you become a place where people are so down trodden that they no longer care for something as subtle yet divine as ‘Surabhi’ but will spend years at end feeling sorry for a true ‘bharatiya naari’ who has had five husbands and several unknown off springs?
When did you get lost in a bizarre definition of your own making where you become the much revered and referenced washerman’s dog? You neither belong to the house nor to the stone on which he smashes strangers’ unmentionables each day. At least he has a conscience that is clearer than the water he uses to do his job but what about yours? Why do your citizens find perverse gratification in watching people weep and grieve on national TV? Why does someone else’s sorrow bring us so much happiness? Is this the beginning of the end of genuine intellect on the much adored idiot box?
Have we, as humans, taken a few steps back? Why are we silently consuming this foul offering with hedonistic silence? Do we need to be told everything by shouting it into our ears? Or is it that we want to shut out the saddening silences of our lives under their thunder? These are some of the other questions that bother me as I sit in absolute silence and watch the horror show that has become Indian television.
The serials, nay, mega-serials that take a decade to finish. The ‘reality’ shows that zero in on false emotions and shallow tears to cash in people’s eternal viewership. The mind numbingly insipid hosts who prance around behaving like glorified buffoons with fake accents. Oh! The sight is too painful to even think of.
It is in times like this that I actually feel glad I am not in India anymore. I don’t know what sort of human being I would have become had I been subjected to this meaningless and degrading form of ‘entertainment’ that the masses lap up like the faithful washerman’s unattached canine. Maybe I too would have let the slow moving venom of this insanity become the oxygen I would breathe in after a hard day at the washerman’s stone. I don’t know. Actually come to think of it I don’t even want to know.
My dad used to often tell me – ‘Stop watching so much TV! It will spoil you!’ I now smile at the irony of at that expression since compared to what I see now, what I was catered with by my good old pal Doordarshan should be considered a blessing from the Almighty. If I am what I am today with some sense of coherence to the written word, then it is because of shows that encouraged me to read.
Had it not been for their well timed inclusion into my life, chances are I would not have experienced the joy of knowing some of the greatest human beings who walked our planet. So, for that, I thank my friend Doordarshan. Your name was so apt, friend. Your vision was quite far fetched indeed.
Now I just hope that there will come a day when Indian television will be cleansed of the copied and modified versions of someone else’s show and something sincerely genuine makes it blessed appearance once again. Until then, let the public display of unabridged bastardisation and unashamed slavery continue.
Posted by Shashi Krishna
Tags: DH blogs, doordarshan, Indian television, Readers blog, reality shows, shashi krishna
November 28th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
So true.
November 28th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Totally agree. My favourite show till date is Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi. Good old day’s. Simple, yet so sweet.
November 28th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
truly said my dear brother,
its shameful that the Ministry of Broadcasting and Communications has sold India to the ungrateful …there used to be such good programs in THE tv before…now its all rubbish…no control…no censor..its free for all.
No wonder one of the guests in US presidents list was a TV magnate 4 years back…another instance is the free availability of F TV which has spoilt the view of the living room..does anyone remember that FTV was not in AIR for few days because obscene things were shown…and it was back again after some closed talks with the then Woman minister for Broadcasting…wonder what was the charity ammount?
If it had been stopped that time we would not have such crazy reality shows like JUNGLEE SE MUJE BACH…
To add the recent hype of 26/11 much damage could have been prevented if the TV did not go LIVE in Mumbai…THE same channels are acting as a soothsayer now…dont they know they are responsible…
the list can go on …its time we resolved and cut the right ribbons.
i JUST WONDER for all the wise readers to think and pray that some good action will be taken
November 29th, 2009 at 9:33 am
The article cannot be more timely. In fact, the comments are very mild. Indian TV is not just become a farce but is unbelievably insulting to the viewers. How can anyone allow children to play roles of goons plotting murders and conspiracies. There are only two aspects to Indian TV, CRIME and CRYING. Nothing else. No education or wholesome entertainment. I wish there will some kind of censorship for the TV programs being aired.
November 29th, 2009 at 10:46 am
One of the most important objective of TV was to broadcast NEWS in audio visual format. DD did their job and still do. Then today even the news is sponsored with commercial interest.At least all these government and private channels could give us a 20 minute breif every day with out the hassles of “commercials” with out a scantly clad or provocatively dressed female making her mouth show the shape of another “navadwara”.
I stpped watching any of the private channels 6 years ago. I depend on DD for news and views.
November 29th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Well articulated. You should have not mentioned the fact that you are not in the country anymore that has diluted some of the credibility I am afraid! In any case, the moment that Indian TV show producers, directors and artistes decided to copy “western shows” and started making the mega serials, it was a lost cause. I once read another frustrated viewer mention that “Indians deserve the lousy television shows that they have fostered” …. that is true too. I remember Hum Log and Buniyaad and thought they were too long …. in hindsight those serials were more entertaining and not so long as say for example the Tamil serial Kolangal … The lack of good stories and the attempt to make stereotype serials to make them commercially viable has taken its toll …. Well that is my rant for the day!
November 29th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
So true it makes me ashamed to see indian channels.doordarshan should be no profit no loss public enterprise channnel but all we see is ads.
November 29th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
@Guest: Thank you for the much appreciated feedback. I agree with you on the point that the commercial aspect of making a quick buck has definitely embedded itself firmly in the Indian psyche. This effect can be seen in movies too. One can only hope that given the bounty of good stories in our country, the ‘entertainment gurus’, as it were, also are granted a generous bounty of common sense too.
Cheers.
November 30th, 2009 at 5:01 am
Yes, Mr. Shashi Krishna. Congrats, you brought it out out. This subject has also been the one irking in my mind. I have also expressed in various sites. You are absolutely right. The various serials and shows that are telecast in all languages do not counsel good values or virtues. Rather, they pollute the young minds with poison, cobwebs and infect them with corruption, violence and all that is not needed for the Society. Writers of many serials assume their role to be a Preacher and broadcast what they think is right - like raising against parents, wives/husbands, glorifying villainism, disrespecting Teachers and others. This tendency is certainly not a healthy one and is out to spoil all generations. Their only motto is to fill up the time slot with some nonsense and make money. There is no point in telling Central or State Governments which are run by vested interested politicians who know to take care of themselves only by hook or crook. The only source to help Indians is to seek DIVINE HELP.
November 30th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Most Indian serials and tv shows are full of crap. most so called family serials show the ladies and men scheming and plotting against each other like criminals and only shouting and cursing each other. These serials are not showing anything good in society. The reality shows are also crap and do not have any meaning.Another bad thing is that they call young kids in these reality shows and ask them such stupid questions and expect anwsers and also make the kids cry and feel sad. Such shows should be stopped immediately.
November 30th, 2009 at 7:36 am
A good article about the standard of the current day Television programmes. I had written about the telivision in the initial years of the TV before we purchased one in our house.
The television they see
the television they hear
But that is what, I fear
will bring the doom near! !
The news, the songs, the movies they see
The words, the music, the dialogues they hear
The matches they see and cheer
brings my neighbor near to tear! !
I am always in fear
If my child will clear
the last and final year
but that, never bothers my dear! !
The young, the old all alike
see the TV through the night
which always delays my supper
and that too without salt or pepper! !
The news, the movies I never see,
because I always want to be
as busy & ever busy as an ant
& never want to be called Top Vacant (TV) ! !
This is relevant more today than in the yester years. More people have lost their health, due to the lack of excercise because of this idiot box.
November 30th, 2009 at 10:15 am
The gravest threat India faces is the news channels who push terror porn to the viewers playing on emotions of hapless victims of a henious crime to gain publicity. Added to that jounalists[no one asked them to be there] scream[and go to minute details of how their boyfriends or partners kissed them or saved them with hollywood words don’t worry baby; a bbc anchor might never ever say that, as if they were the centre of the show] and shove mikes on innocent viewers and give details to the handlers so that more could die. Candle light marches and stop we want peace are nice slogans by activists and well heeled journos who want the TRP and either you bloody well swallor the message or go to hell kind of spin. Do they ever bother of the poor, the lives of ordinary middle class people? Truely innocence is lost. I remember how I used to look for serials like Yatra and their happy innocence.
Does the media care for who, the poor farmer of Vidharba or Ilkal or the taxi driver who died in the attack? No, it is bothered of a celebrity chef [which it soon dumped when it found that she had done here bit (a blood bath is a story for a journo)], and the cream of bandra society. The news media and its voyouristic journalism is something that is alarming leaving little space for cold analysis of strategic imperetives for India, poverty, the disjunction between the rich and the poor but providing ample space for surrogate advertising and how to make the bedroom better[impervious to the fact that young minds read the papers].
November 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am
One only needs to read with shock, of this new trend of voyeurism of a blog by a jounro in a website where her graphic narrative of being saved and with a hollywood brandish saying baby…. etc. Where is the news, where is P.Sainath? These news channels push products and their role will become even more posionous as they try to create a hegemonic one dimensional populace that is a ready consumer of products and does not even have the least inclination towards social science and analysing issues critically.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Well Done, You have spoken for the “Doordarshan-Generation”. I have another perspective that makes DD (as we all used to call it) a class apart. Living in Australia for the past 11 years, my interaction with my Australian colleagues is sometimes about some English TV shows which were part of their formative lives (I love Lucy, Yes,Minister, Mind your Language… even cartoons like Spiderman,He-man and many more). A very good feeling during these conversations is that I can identify with the same and am proud to say that while DD did an awesome service to the nation by showcasing seriously classy and smart indigenous talent, it also had the best TV from all over the world shown to us !!
Coming to the present TV Channels, the less written about them the better !! Let us enjoy those wonderful memories of DD and you struck the right chord with this article…Thanks Shashi.
November 30th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Well Done, You have spoken for the “Doordarshan-Generation”. I have another perspective that makes DD (as we all used to call it) a class apart. Living in Australia for the past 11 years, my interaction with my Australian colleagues is sometimes about some English TV shows which were part of their formative lives (I love Lucy, Yes,Minister, Mind your Language… even cartoons like Spiderman,He-man and many more). A very good feeling during these conversations is that I can identify with the same and am proud to say that while DD did an awesome service to the nation by showcasing seriously classy and smart indigenous talent, it also had the best TV from all over the world shown to us !!
Coming to the present TV Channels, the less written about them the better !! Let us enjoy those wonderful memories of DD and you struck the right chord with this article…Thanks Shashi.
November 30th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Yes! I go by your lines..
Anyday I prefer to watch DD news and some earlier programs that I watched..Anyday anytime..
Thanks for highlighting this one….
November 30th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Great write up. I think we need a regulator (like ofcom in UK), which holds the channels responsible for things they do. Remember the only window to the world these days is the idiot box, for billions of indians. The regional language channels have more reach and hence needs to be regulated stirngently!!
In simple words, the quality has been compromised for the sake of quantity!
November 30th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
It is really sinking to see our value system being degraded to such filthy proportions– hope there is a cultural revolution which brings backs our glory of respect to the elders,teachers, social responsibility, and care for its flora and fauna. I truly fear abt my future and children future’s in this baseless hyprocrasy. Alas the only atonement from such a mess is to create a change through disobidence to these telecasts. I feel we are at the X-roads to a paradigm shift both economically and culturally, and hope the outcome is a progressive and value based system.
November 30th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
I have been telling what u have written to all my friends and relatives from a very long time.Well written.The woman who bastadised indian TV is Ekta Kapoor. what all she showed.How to ill treat your motherin-alw, daughter in-law, how to have extramarital affairs with your brother in law , sister in law, How to break a family, how to grab ones property,how to create a rift between two brothers and how to peep in to some ones bed room,how to ill-treat old etc etc etc. The list is end less. I am sure others can add 100 more such crooked ideas she has shown.
Then it was followed by every other director in every language.
Those good old days of watching TV with all in the family are gone with Humlog,Buniyad, ramayan, mahabharath,rajani,Ye johai zindagi and others.The evil has taken over indian TV.
November 30th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
The problem with Doordarshan was limited variety. Unfortunately the current crop of programs on various channels are nothing but sensational and sleazy but since they have high ratings it is an indication of the cultural shift most Indians.
November 30th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
@Matilda Yorke - Thank you.
@Hemanth - Indeed, friend. I miss those good times too.
@SUNBASH - Why do you think terror activities are happening with such finesse? Because the same thing gets showcased in 10 different angles with minute to minute updates round the clock! The terror attack controller is sitting somewhere and roaring in laughter at our idiocy. When will we learn? Thanks for the response.
@Narendra Reddy - Well penned, friend. It is indeed an insult to the intellect of our land but the tragedy remains that no one seems to want to acknowledge it and weed out the trash!
@M Ramachandran - Point taken, friend. Thank you for the words.
@dave - Indeed. One of the reasons the Internet took off in such a big way in India is due to the overload of such channel programming.
@Patriot - Divine help? I am sure there are 24/7 channels that keep propagating faith too isn’t it? There needs to be a grassroot level awareness created to stop this nonsensical form of entertainment. But given the deep seeded ‘fan following’ some shows have, I just dont see that happening.
@Guest - I concur. Thank you friend for being here.
@Hariharan - Ah! A poet! Good to see your poem here, friend. I am sure it certainly echoed the sentiments of a lot of people who read the piece. Keep writing!
@concerned reader - Good expression there, friend - ‘Terror Porn’. It captures the nauseating overload of hype and hoopla that such grave incidents have become wonderfully. Your points on the media focusing on children of higher Gods certainly has my consent. I couldn’t agree more. Thank you.
@sathya kumar - Thank you Kumar for the kind words. I am glad you too see the pain that bubbled within me when I penned this piece.
@somu - Good suggestion there, friend! But I definitely doubt that Indian media will ever have a regulator given the Herculean amount of programming that is taking place at both the national and the international level. It is indeed our misfortune that this Pandora’s box cannot be brought under leash.
Regards,
SK
November 30th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
@Jay - Agreed. It is unfortunate when the taste of money takes over the fragrance of literature and quality. One can only hope that more awareness is created by people like you and me and this alarmingly disgusting downhill trend of Indian television finally ends. Thanks for being here, friend.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:20 am
Great reality write up. Yes, I hear you guys.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:07 am
Yes Doordarshan is no where to be seen nowadays. I remember growing with it watching programs like Hum Log, Dekh Bhai Dekh, Reporter & not to forget the sunday morning Rangoli which would charge up our sundays listening to the old melodies. Such were the programs in Doordarshan, but unfortfunately all that is no more. I think Doordarshan needs to get back to the track. I am still ready to watch one that beautiful channel called Doordarshan even today. Thanks Shashi for such a wonderful article.
regards,
Avinash
December 1st, 2009 at 2:47 pm
@bere - Well said. But who will make that paradigm shift? The viewers? The producers of these shows? Or the government? The trouble is that with Doordarshan everything used to go under the scanner of the government and hence was always so clean. Now with the privatization that has taken place, paradigm shifts will involve millions of dollars and a LOT of red tape. I wonder how, then, can we ever relive those days again! Thanks for the words, friend.
December 1st, 2009 at 2:50 pm
@Rraj - I am not sure pointing to one person is the right approach here. She has been successful because viewers have reciprocated to it. Had no one cared to watch the insanity she dishes out then none of her shows would have been as big as they are now. A large portion of the blame also is on the viewer. I have relatives who are SO addicted and engrossed in these stories that I see them becoming impatient, rude and definitely cynical - just the way the characters are in the shows! I wonder if the TV is starting to change the attitudes of people for good! Is that why people are so careless of one another in India? Could it be the hatred these shows are spewing out daily that is making us such hateful individuals? Something to ponder on…! Thanks for being here, friend.
December 1st, 2009 at 2:56 pm
@Nazan Hussain - Thank you, friend. Your support is noted!
@Liz - Thank you for the words and support!
@Avinash - Doordarshan’s biggest pain has been budgeting. If you see the quality of programming there today when compared to even smaller private channels, you will realize there is so much to be done! So I guess the starting point in the drawing board would be to allocate a large enough budget so that creative minds can come together and begin producing quality programs. Everything is about “packaging” thanks to the globalization, so I guess if DD has to get back on track, it needs a serious makeover. Thanks for the words, friend. I am glad it echoed your sentiments.
Cheers.
December 1st, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Well done Mr. Shashi Krishna !! Written from the bottom of your heart I guess.
I just want to add few things. Apart from the serials / reality shows, the news channels are hurting us hard. The breaking news, meaningless debates, cliche mouthing anchors (who would’nt even allow the guests to speak)and senseless way of reporting are turning out to be misleading and artificial.
December 1st, 2009 at 7:34 pm
@K Prakash - Thank you and I agree. I specially hate it when accomplished journos turn absolute nonsense into something that we should know about my YELLING it from their mics! Sometimes I wonder if they too feel the same way but cannot help do it to keep their jobs and escape the boss’s axe. If that is the case then I guess I can forgive them a little. Cheers.
December 29th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
What a Language! I wonder how DH Editor published such obscene language and Blog!
January 4th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Dear Shashi,
Thanks for this blog. The questions that bother you, bother me too. Is here anything that can be done. Indians have lost at least one decade of good entertainment. Unfortunately, this seems to be continuing into the next decade as well.