Derana Dream Star through my lenses
Udeni Thewarapperuma
In the recent past in Sri Lanka, as in other countries in the world,
television reality shows have attracted the interest of the public
immensely. I admit that I too admire the rationale behind organizing
such shows as they provide space and opportunity for many with different
talents in finding their paths in life.
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Upeka. Picture by Marlon Karunaratne |
One reason I presume why many watch or know about these reality shows
is because all the channels have such shows, making the viewers have no
other option than to watch them at the end of the day. Viewers
inevitably succumb to their appeal and find themselves expressing their
preference as regards the candidates subconsciously.
Coming to the point, no matter how hectic my schedule in life is, I
get the chance here and there in updating myself in knowing what is
happening in the entertainment world.
Being a Sinhala speaking Sri Lankan I have a limitation in selecting
my TV channels. So I end up either watching Sinhala or English channels.
Therefore mainly this article talks from the point of view of Sinhala TV
channels’ viewers.
I hope that I am not wrong in stating that up to now no woman
participant has won 1st place in any reality show which was open to both
sexes. The winners of these shows are being selected through various
telecommunication mediums. To my mind, it baffles me why talented women
in the last 10 or 12 positions do not get enough preferential votes
(despite sending several SMS’s by myself) to help them grab the ultimate
crown.
That was in the past. But for the first time last week, a girl
clinched “Derana Dream Star Season 2 title” at the Grand Finale of the
competition held at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Going back to the winning of the girl in the competition, she openly
challenged a discriminatory traditional practice that limits enjoyment
of a woman. Girl! you wholeheartedly endorsed the notion that women
indeed can sing and whistle in public and my grandma was wrong in not
letting us whistle.
Wholeheartedly I wish her success in her life and I will always be a
fan of her singing and whistling! |
