Cultural competitions in the electronic media

Subashini PATHMANATHAN

Earlier there were a few government-controlled broadcasting stations and television stations dominating media scene. These government controlled television stations and broadcasting stations gained wide popularity. These stations not only gained popularity among the local population but also in the neighbouring countries.

All these broadcasting stations were well managed by efficient staff. And these stations always maintained high standards in promoting culture and cultural heritage. The programmes promoted the human values by imparting general knowledge, religious knowledge, worldwide information as well as entertainment. With the passage of time various new commercialized private stations emerged.

Many values

Despite the emergence of new stations, the previous stations still maintain their popularity. More importance was given to religious values, social values and human values and these high standards of entertainment programmes were broadcast and televised in the stations.

The announcers and producers worked with full dedication for the promotion and benefit of those stations. Because of their total dedication and contribution of their services, their services were recognized.

Now numerous private stations have emerged in broadcasting and telecasting field. Some private and commercialized stations try to attract the public within a short span by using all sorts of tactics to influence all sections of society. The aim of these stations is not only to attract the masses but also to multiply their income through all sort of open air commercial and westernized light music shows and commercial advertisements.

Certain private televisions lower the standard by conducting cultural competitions. In music and dance competitions far from promoting the art, tend to degrade the art. In such competitions a fair judgment cannot be expected. Sometimes real talents would be neglected. Students are asked various questions by the so-called judges. Sometimes questions are not suitable for the student level. Sometimes students are purposely asked questions calculated to confuse them. Overall public assessment and public opinion should be taken into account as the final verdict.

Corrupt practices

The judges seek publicity for themselves but succeed only in exposing their ignorance. Such competitions lead to corrupt practices and favoritism.

Such competitions are labeled under the name of classical dance competitions. Yet under the name of classical dance competition, folk dance rounds and creativity dance rounds take place. The word classical loses its real meaning and sense. The word classical has its own meaning and owns its definition. Using the word classical must sound some real sense and essence.

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, or sometimes they are given preference to design their own costumes for their own self-styled dance forms. These performers are not adhered to the format of the classical defined standards.

They are selecting the social themes and dramatically acting by wearing self designed costumes and with their own selective makeup. At last these entire attitudes will affect the purity of traditional art forms. Whether it is an electronic media or print media, the media must act with a reasonable responsibility to preserve and protect the traditional age-old culture and tradition, instead of promoting low level programmes to attract average level viewers.