TV WATCH
April 2011 . Week 3
Morality diminishing in Marathi TV serials |
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A popular Marathi daily 'Loksatta' in their edition dt. 21st April
2011 covered a news report under their 'Lokmanas' column which
blamed the ongoing Marathi TV serials on Doordarshan,
Zee Marathi,
E-TV and
Star Pravah for
presentation of inhuman characters and the kind of filthy
language spoken by them. The writer Meghana Lele has appealed
for a ban on such serials, for the manner in which most of the
characters in negative roles behave. This is public outcry, as
she represents the community. She has particularly cited certain
violence filled incidences which make the viewers feel
uncomfortable. She claims that instead of watching such
happenings, she has switched her attention to a quality
programme 'Hello Sakhee' on Doordarshan. Finally, she has
reminded all those makers of such serials about their role not
only to entertain but also to pass a social message.
Such articles really makes us think seriously about all such
recent Marathi serials today, which are more towards glorifying
the negative characters. Earlier we only witnessed a single bad
character in the form of a villain or a vamp, but in the recent
times we witness only a single person as a protagonist who
either fights a lone battle against injustice or with the
support of hardly one or two good characters. The rest of the
team comprises of all bad and notorious elements. Even in a
house, there will be a team of bad characters, trying different
methods including black magic or even going to an extent of
stabbing or adding poison into the food of a good character.
In some of the scripts of such TV serials, we have even
witnessed the good people attempting suicides after finding
themselves helpless. The incidences of murder, kidnappings are
shown with glorification, even in the promos of the serial
repeatedly. What does such serial makers or respective channel
producer wants to prove? Is it the victory of evil over good?
What message are they passing to the society?
The helpless viewers who are tempted to watch these serials,
with the hope of victory of Good over evil in the end, but they
have to wait for long. In many cases, after completion of one
year of a serial the good character or the artiste gets
replaced. Isn't that something strange? The helpless viewer,
then has no other alternative but to shift to other serial. In
many cases, such viewers, who are looking for entertainment,
then switch over to Hindi channels to watch some reality shows
or Old Hindi films. No wonder, some Marathi channels are now
opting for reality shows during prime time these days.
Majority of the viewers of such serials are women and they are
the most affected people through such presentations by serials.
In a recent suicide case of Malad, Mumbai , the police have
investigated that the lady committed suicide after being
influenced by TV serials. We live in a state of Maharashtra,
which is known for its culture and teachings of popular saints,
who practiced morality and spread good message of brotherhood.
It's unfortunate that we find change in our culture, influenced
by such bad culture presented through some of these serials.
It's high time that our concerned Ministry in Maharashtra
Government take note of the scripts of such serials, as they
have just passed a law to tackle superstition. But, it can also
prevent the crime by restricting such serials.
by Ulhas Shirke © MMW
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