Normally in media we say that it is crime, politics, sleaze, something sexy which sells. Social issues are normally for documentaries, or may be Doordarshan will air. But the TRPs of Balika Vadhu, a social serial has proved this argument wrong.
Social issues don’t sell on TV channels. This statement may not be true anymore. TRPs of Balika Vadhu, a social serial on Colors on the issue of child marriage recently had more TRPs then Kyunki and Myaaka serials. Interestingly, its TRP was more than the shows engaging celebrities running on the same channel or for that matter many reality shows on TV.Normally in media we say that it is crime, politics, sleaze, something sexy which sells. Social issues are normally for documentaries, or may be Doordarshan will air, as it has that social responsibility.But may be not true any more -- Balika Vadhu, a serial on air nowadays on Colors TV Channel.
It sensitively raises concern on a social issue ’child marriage’ which still happens in India and is a reality. As of now this is one of the most viewed serials in general entertainment category or GEC as they say.Television Rating Points (TRP’s) of the show validate this fact. It is a flagship series of Viacoms’ Colors TV Channel. This serial has helped Colors to sail past 200 GRP (gross rating points), within two months of its launch. Colors is the first to hit that mark among the newly launched Hindi entertainment channels, one of the hit serial on that channel is Balika Vadhu. The serial is laid out in traditional Rajasthani style, with a great title song and simple music (unlike the varied back ground music we find in normal serials on air) and rightly brings out impact on child marriage on child life.It ends with a message line, reminding us that child marriage impacts the very fabric of child life and needs to be stopped. The serial attracts attention and glues you to it. The viewership of it has grown exponentially and viewers has remained with it. Thanks to the way it is written, directed and the enacted along with its great title track.It is aired Monday to Thursday on Colors TV at 8 pm slot. It has helped break the myth that social issues don’t sell. Balika Vadhu is an arduous journey of child bride Anandi, who is married off to a young boy, Jagdish.
The girl losses her normal childhood and has to move away from her parents (protective environment), to be bound by customs. I am hopeful this serial will help in bringing issue of deep rooted tradition of child marriage to debate in our society which impact lives of girls and women across India not only in Rajasthan. Inspite of all the laws this still happens and needs to stopped.One more issue while debating on children issues that needs discussion is about children who work in these serials. I am sure National Children’s Commission is looking into it, and restrictions will be coming for reality shows but we need discussion also on children working in TV serials and films. To my knowledge they are not covered by child labour laws nor by any special child protection laws. Children who work in TV serials films do have to work very hard, which impacts them. They need adequate rest, sleep, time and break for education. They entertain us but it should not impact their normal growth, and protection which they should be getting as their right from the state, us and life.
No comments:
Post a Comment