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A channel for children
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The Splash Channel launched by Intelevision attracts children because of its varied and interesting programme content.
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JUST AS every winter finds the rodents preparing for hibernation with their supply of nuts, every summer holiday would see my sisters and myself incessantly reminding my father to collect our holiday store of Girls' Crystal, Tiger Tim, The Eagle, School Friend and other such volumes — the thick, hard-bound annual numbers from the Higginbotham's Book Store. These would be replete with fascinating puzzles, games and picture stories of school life and adventure — of Lolita the Indian girl and Marzipan, the Magician, who lent colour to our otherwise humdrum existence.
But today's children are saved any such bother. All that they have to do is tune in to Intelevision's Splash Channel, which was launched in October, and just as their motto "anything is possible" goes, everything comes alive for them on the small screen. It's just that we are a bit late. If we had treated the children to this special channel earlier perhaps they may not have thrived on violence and themes of revenge portrayed in the adult serials. Anyway we are happy that it has happened at least now.
The oft-repeated proverb goes "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy." So the need of the hour is entertainment coupled with information and that is what Splash is attempting to serve the fortunate children of Chennai with!
Questioned on the channel's effects on growing children, eminent paediatrician, Dr. Mrs. Rajeswari Raju had positive points to add. She opined that it was a good channel for kids to watch even without parental supervision because all the shows were interesting, with a welcome trend where good triumphed over evil. Neither was there any emphasis on violence.
The Y series with information on the human body provides useful facts. Another feather in the producers' cap is the English word zone. The English word zone deals with words being repeatedly taught — their usage, gender, number and meaning. Of course, the fun school that includes learning how to make pancakes and fixing fruit juices and the like provide a special thrill.
Nandithalakshmi of Std III, C.S. I. Ewart School, loves the Y series, envies the cute anchor kids who dole out spicy information and evinces a keen interest in "My best Friend" where an alien comes to earth. Her mother, Vijaya, rated "splashography" high since it gave her daughter a chance to view the places in Tamil Nadu on the screen. However, the western serials could be complemented with more animated Indian stories. But, she too had a word of praise for the English word zone.
Smitha Rao, a seven-year-old, studying in Vidya Mandir, finds the serials and the Y series interesting but is averse to the programme that shows the skinning of animals. Her mother, Akila Rao, requests more circus shows and simple, everyday practical lessons in science.
P. Amarnath of Std II, Padma Seshadri, K.K. Nagar, loves to watch Ghost Busters and Peanut Butter, but instead of sitting through an hour or so of childrens' movies with dialogues he prefers to play. His mother, Satyavathi, commended the English word zone for its utility value. Teenagers would enjoy the music shows that even gave the bio-data of the singers. In a word, Satyavathi felt that it was a good channel for children to view after completing home assignments. But there was a lot of scope for improvement, she felt.
Rohini Chitnis, a primary school teacher for the last 25 years in the Don Bosco School , Egmore complimented the concept — of a programme that was targeted only at children. But she felt that instead of including programmes on movies and cartoons and the like, the channel could start telecasting more programmes pertaining to education, craft, and environmental awareness. She suggested that more workshops could be conducted and general knowledge quizzes held, with participation from several schools. However, she felt that this local channel could step up the transmission quality.
THARA MOHAN RAO
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