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Metro Plus
Soaps that cast a spell
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With a plethora of soaps to tune in to, the small screen is a major source of entertainment and relaxation, and attracts viewers across the country.
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"Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki" on STAR Plus
AN AUNT of mine recently returned after a six-week tour abroad. The only thing, she said, that had remained static during the period she was away was the progress of the mega Hindi serials on television. "I could just pick up from where I left off and follow the story," she quipped, with a glint in her eyes. This seems to be the general accusation against Hindi serials that they move only at a snail's pace and have too many breaks for commercials.
I got to watching these serials only a year ago and now it has become a matter of habit with me," said Dr. Mrs. Rao of Ayanavaram. Her objection was to most serials revolving round the `other woman'. "What about women's liberation? Thrown to the winds?" She bitterly asks. The heroine, the epitome of patience, is shown waiting for her husband to return. Dr. Mrs. Rao feels that such situations are obsolete. The modern woman armed with sound education would walk out on her husband in no time. She cites "Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye" and "Kusum" on Sony TV as being `other woman' syndrome serials.
For the rest, 90 per cent of the serials are produced by Balajee Telefilms and hence, centre only round the family, focussing on mother-in-law - daughter-in-law relationships (Monopoly by one banner affords no incentive for innovation and variety) as is the case with "Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki", "Kahin Kissi Roz" and "Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi". In contrast, the South can boast of big banners like Min Bimbangal, AVM, Madras Talkies, Radaan etc., which produce regularly for the small screen. Consequently, the themes seem to be as varied as those dealing with police excesses (`Kaveri'), labour problems (`Indra'), journalists' world (`Aarti'), and the like.
The emphasis on story content is more pronounced here. Women like Bharathiyar's `Pudumai Penn' have crossed the threshold and moved away from the hearth and homes to redress wrongs and fight injustice.
The scripts are heroine-oriented and the silver screen heroines who play these lead roles provide the star value. A major drawback in both the North and South is that the artistes fail to stay committed till the end and hence change of faces for the roles is becoming increasingly common. To the dismay of viewers there was a change of hero overnight in the serial "Kalash".
Another observation is that there has been the growth of a new clan of music directors all for the Tamil small screen - Dhina, Rehan and Imam and the like. A lot of importance is attached to the title song, resulting in catchy tunes rendered by big names on the playback scene such as Kavitha Krishnamurthy, Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Sadhana Sargam, Nityashree, S.P.B. and K. J. Yesudas. Dr.Rao confesses to enjoying watching "Kahin Kissi Roz" starring Sudha Chandran as the villainous mother-in-law.
Though styled in the mould of yesteryear film "Khoon Bhari Maang" she adds that it has enough intrigue to sustain her interest.
Businessman H. Vasudev Jumani of Egmore is very much for the commercials in between the serials. They are needed to support the programmes he claims in true business-like fashion.
From "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" on STAR Plus.
Committed to watching serials for relaxation from the DD days of soaps like "Hum Log" to the latest "Shagun" he feels the storylines are interesting. He is a faithful "STAR" gazer too and views all serials on the Star Channel from the light "Tu Tu Main Main" to "Desh Me Nikala Hoga Chand" "Kasauti Zindagi Ki" and, of course, "Kaun Banega Crorepathi." He affirms that Amitabh is Amitabh with none to equal him.
He also enjoys "Ganesh Puran" for the story and "Vishnu Puran" for the appealing manner in which they are filmed and the religious fervour they inspire.
And finally for a word with English-cum-Hindi teacher, Sudha Vyas. She says she watches Hindi serials because they eschew violence.
They revolve round the family and true-to-life problems. As they avoid obscenity they are ideal for family viewing. An additional point in their favour is that they are telecast again the next afternoon for the benefit of viewers. Her favourites are "Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki" and "Kyonki Saas Bhiu Kabhi Bahu Thi."
But what seems most evident after talking to the viewers is that families, both in the North and South, continue to avidly watch television during their spare time.
THARA MOHAN RAO
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