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| Wednesday, 29 September 2004 |
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SLRC: Towards creation of a new vision Judging by the standards the government electronic media - the radio and TV - endeavours to sustain, at least in the spoken word, one feels relatively comfortable when one notices and hears the sounds that other channels blabber and mispronounce words. This is particularly so in Thamil and English. I am not very fluent in my Sinhala, but I feel that generally the standard of radio and TV broadcasting in that language is listenable. I am not saying that it is all perfect with the government controlled broadcasts in all three languages, since unlike those days there is absolutely no training provided to newcomers and the young ones believe that what they say on the air is the 'done thing' and they make a fool of themselves.
In the first place, the rival channels engage teenagers and adolescents who apparently do not seem to read or engage in quests to learn more. These children, particularly in the English medium, imitate a 'slangish' 'American accent, which is not even a dialect. They don't open their mouth and speak clearly. I heard one such disc jockey saying 'broadcasted', not knowing that the present and past tenses of the word is same. I must hasten to point out that one or two in these channels are excellent. Invariably they are males. The female of the species, I am sorry to say, atrociously murder the language, not only in their phrasing and enunciation, but even in their mumblings as newscasters. There are two particular women who come on the night news telecast over a 'popular'channel, who make you feel tired of trying to know what they are saying.
Even on the radio, when the Frequency Modulation was not in much use and sensitive microphones were not applied, to be heard on short waves, one might have used a 'hard' or husky voice and speed reading of the advertisement copies at a high pitch. But this is dropped in many stations all around the world. In the 1950s, we had remarkable radio announcers like Greg Rozkowski, Karl Goonasena, Percy Bartholemeuz, Mil Sansoni, Prosper Fernando, et al, who had rich voices. But that was another time, another age. Now, it is soft friendly persuasion. Some of the SLBC English announcers try to maintain high standards as hosts and presenters. And a few of them read news over Rupavahini too. But the same cannot be said in regard to Thamil continuity announcing over the National Service and even on the Commercial Service and newscasts. Reading Thamil news over a 'powerful'channel, some women cannot pronounce certain words. For instance, one woman would say 'paalumantram' for 'patalumantram'. And on the Rupavahini, a young man just read modulating his high pitch voice without reading sensibly (Perhaps, he is imitating Abdul Hameed's voice and not his high standard of presentation). It is pointless blaming them because they have not been educated before they are trained in practical terms. It may be because, some of them were recruited for political reasons than on their proven talents and acceptability. Being a radio presenter myself, I shouldn't perhaps comment on my fraternity, but as an independent columnist, I may be permitted to make the above observations for the present. It is a hopeful signal that the present government is seriously engaged in creating Rupavahini as an expression of a New Vision as the National Television Broadcaster Responsive to the Nation's Aspiration. We understand that the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation covers 95% of the country. It's in existence since 1982. It has nearly 75 news correspondents within the country. The new vision focuses on news and current affairs in the major language, Sinhala. Also in this language channel International, Hindi and Sinhala films would be shown. For the benefit of those who know English, the entertainer, X Files, will be serialized on the small screen. The women folk are not to be forgotten either. Education via seminars and workshops are also planned. Digital technology and strengthening of transmission stations are also envisaged. An Education Channel and a Sports Channel will also take their places next year. We understand that the present Eye Channel will be devoted entirely to the Thamil language, with English also joining in. As a Thamilian, I feel it is a very welcome move, because at present the Thamil viewers have to depend on stupid south Indian oriented programmes in private channels for their edification, education and entertainment. This is because the Thamil programmes are produced and presented at present with inadequate facilities and as a parasitic unit of the grand Rupavahini. There are enough talented artistes, performers, producers and actors, musicians and dancers all over Sri Lanka, who speak a language called Thamil, which has a cultural past and present, universally accepted. Two Thursdays ago, (Sept. 16, 2004) under the patronage of Media Minister, Mangala Samaraweera, a formal announcement in regard to 'creating a New Vision for Rupavahini as the National Television Broadcaster responsive to national aspirations was made. This was made at a music dance entertainment cum dinner at the National Museum premises. There were other politicians and celebrities at the function. The vision is summed up as 'to inform, entertain and inspire the people of Sri Lanka for the development and enrichment of the country'. Good. Abdul Hameed felicitated in London Among the Tamil-speaking Sri Lankans, at least two Sri Lankans have drawn the attention of the world: Muttiah Muralitharan (Cricket) and Abdul Hameed (Radio and TV Broadcasting). Almost everyone in Sri Lanka knows about Murali particularly after his remarkable feat as an international bowler, but Abdul Hameed is known all over the Thamil-speaking world as a broadcaster par excellence. He was felicitated on August 31, by the Ulaga Thamil Kalaiyaham in Britain. The function was held at the Fairfield Hall, Croydon, UK. On this occasion a felicitation volume titled Kalaiyamutham was launched. As an ardent electronic media fan of B.H. Abdul Hameed, I feel proud that a son of my soil has been acclaimed as one of the best broadcasters in the world in the Thamil language. His modulated voice quality, his natural expression of his inner self through subtle and warm phrasing and enunciation, his wide knowledge on men and women, matters, and above all his mastery of the Thamil language have all earned the respect and admiration from discerning fans all over the world. I am delighted to wish him warmly for his continued success over the airwaves of radio and television transmissions right round the globe. Sinhala Folk Stories introduced to Thamil children In a series called 'Otae Oru Oorilae '(meaning In a Particular Place), Prof. J.B. Disanayaka has come forward to introduce Sinhala folk stories to Thamil children through translations by Sarojini Devi Arunachalam with illustrations by Manjula Karunathilaka. The first in the series is called Panniyar Epadi Swargam Poanaar (How Did the Landlord went to the Heavens?). Translated well in simple style so that the young ones can understand this funny story, the book is profusely and appropriately illustrated. This is one way of exchanging cultural and literary commonalities among the communities in this country. This will spread knowledge of each other and keep at bay the mono-racists who want to go the past only and be damned. Ravi Shankar's Bridges Have you listened to a CD entitled Bridges by Ravi Shankar on Sitar? It is a BMG release. There are 11 tracks in this CD with two composed by Philip Glass. Its wonderful music, if you like oriental presentation. Basically the maestro says "O Lord be benevolent to us. Drive the darkness away. Shed upon us the Light of Wisdom. Take the jealousy, envy, greed and anger from us. And fill our hearts with love and peace." I enjoy very much listening to it to drive away my undesirable emotions. I wish that peace and prosperity and understanding and love overwhelm us to be decent civilized human beings. Contact: [email protected], 2587617 **** Back **** |
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Ironically, the reporters behind the scene speak in clear and accepted
tone and language but not the readers. Most of these young ones should be
told that news reading is different from yelling in pop music
presentation.
