Role of electronic media in dances

Subashini Pathmanathan

Modern media and art

* Media of the yesteryear acted with responsibility
* Modern day media doesn’t seem to care for responsibility
* Modern media gives prominence to profits more than value
* Dance and music judges on media degrade the capacity of budding artistes
* Modern media should act with more responsibility

Earlier there were only a few government-controlled broadcasting and electronic media stations at home and abroad. As far as Sri Lanka is concerned these government-controlled broadcasting stations gained popularity all over the world especially in the neighboring countries like India.

With the passage of time numerous private broadcasting and electronic media stations started cropping into the field not only in Sri Lanka but also in India and worldwide. To compete with the existing stations, other media stations work on their survival. For business purpose they produce and telecast all sorts of programs for entertainment. Many programs degrade the age-old cultural standards and values of the country.

No doubt some programs are useful, suitable and interesting. They cherish the children’s knowledge suitable for all age groups by producing entertainment shows such as cartoons, comedy shows, games, sports, children’s storytelling about legends to impart some religious and practical knowledge, which are very much needed for the child welfare.

All these programs will mould their ideas, enrich their thoughts and behaviour. Telecasting the cartoons they impart certain vital themes and practical values for children, very much useful to understand the world.

Some shows are very much suitable for elders mainly about worldwide news, religious documentary, meditation, different countries, inhabitants of those countries and the history, geography of different countries and their living habits, different beliefs, interesting animal world and their nature.

Some programs about the medical tips, classical music and heart melting semi melodious devotional vocal and instrumental music.

These programs are not one-way a musical or another medical therapy for the sick and elderly people but also as entertainment programs. Similarly for the housewives different cookery demonstrations, regarding their special medical issues, beauty tips, house management and maintenance, bring up the children, and imparting them about child psychology. Some of the stations invite people from different walks of life discussing different current issues including social, cultural, religious and political issues. In the discussions, sometimes the political issues go beyond the limits. Almost every electronic media station telecasts films and a series of teledrama for entertainment purposes. This type of programs gives mental relaxations.

The theme of the stories give some sort of social awareness among the masses.

Besides these benefits there is a lot of drawbacks also, not like earlier. To maintain standards the producers and announcers go beyond the level.

Many times before they broadcast or telecast a song contacting the viewers over the telephone, questioning and discussing about the selective song, and sometimes the discussion goes beyond the level by touching the personal matters. Sometimes their discussion levels bring disrepute to the stations and degrade the stations.

Most private television stations conduct programs to enrich the cultural contest shows. The general knowledge contests and game contests are worthwhile for the future generations. Meanwhile conducting cultural competitions with the intention to identify the hidden talents of the youngsters, they conduct cultural competitions. These levels of competitions are divided into three or four levels, pure cultural dance level, folk dance level, creative dance level, contemporary dances or fusion dance level.

Cultural competitions sometimes affect the students’ psychology, due to comments made by so called judges.

Instead of promoting the art they degrade the music and dance forms of the society. Opinion of the individuals varies from one another. Opinion of the judges sometimes affects innocent budding artistes’ minds. Comments cannot be calculated or taken into account as the acceptable opinion of the majority in the art world.

Sometimes the real talents would be neglected. Some judges want to participate in such programs to seek their own publicity. Even if the channels conduct such competitions, active teachers in dance and music fields should not be appointed in the judgment panel. Experienced and retired dance teachers should be appointed to avoid favouritism to a certain extent.

In this competition it is claimed that opportunity is given for the student to show the creativity of their own talents. In the name of the creativity dances they use the classical dance costumes. To do their own weird dances these performers don’t dance in the real sense.

Those who strictly adhere to traditional dances are labeled as old Bharatha Natyam teachers. This only exposes the shallow knowledge of so called modern Bharatha Natyam teachers.

Instead of arranging this type of shows, these stations must provide opportunity for the young growing artistes’ programs separately, and more matured artistes’ programs separately to display their skills and talents fully by organizing such cultural programs.

Whether it is an electronic or print the media must act with responsibility to preserve and protect the traditional age-old culture, instead of promoting low programs to attract more viewers.

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