MEDIA Culture - growing Uncultured.

Here is my version of the song I'll stand by you. Not a great song. But loved it especially by one of the performers in American idol. Reminded me of the tamil song " Kangalil enna eerama? Nenjinil enna baarama?"
To hear the song please click on the appropriate links given below,
I'll stand by you - For Dial up users
I'll stand by you -For BB users

Now, coming to the post :)
MEDIA Culture - Growing Uncultured.
Last week was excellent for We in our family did get some time to spend with together & it was Quality time ;). TOUCH WOOD. On Sunday morning while I was browsing through the news paper, I came across the TV programme column and this idea to watch a movie together with family struck me. And my eyes fell upon one movie that was joked alot about during the college days, starring one of the heroes from the movie boyz(which i have not seen yet- never will see too.)

I was told it is an ADULTS only movie. So I rechecked the timing- it was the evening movie!!

DUH!!!

Are people losing sense these days?? Don’t we get to watch a decent movie ATLEAST on weekends??On a Sunday evening..come on! There got to be a mistake! But nope, that was the movie played that evening & we ended up watching a different show.

Its time Tamil channels also better start to have the U,U/G,A notifications while playing movies- the trend that Star movies follow really well.

MOVIES- These days they are playing adult(e)rated movies on channels that are supposed to be showing family entertainment movies. It is the responsibility of the parents to make sure kids are watching good programs only. Sometime back(a couple of times) they did play the movie Boyz on Sunday & on a festive day. This movie is not a good choice for kids to watch. Does it mean this generation is taking everything for granted? Those who chose to telecast these- are they trying to take any revenge- probably a childhood problem? Is there even someone in the censor board who do some WORK AT ALL? People who telecast -Don’t they have any idea about the fact that people sit with family; mainly that children watch these?

These days most of them in the movie industry do not seem to realize the responsibility & that is one reason am so against people going crazy over those who don’t even realize the fact that they are spoiling & corrupting young minds.

Not just hero’s, but the heroines too.I accept that the competition is too much for these girls these days to get an offer, because the directors have lost sense about on what basis one should be chosen to act as heroine. And that has brought in a lot of junks inside the industry, which once had heroines like ….. (am only getting the picture of black & white movies’s! :O yes ofcourse….There are decent one’s in later years too..) Revathy, Suhasni….. And a FEW more.

These days the need for a glamour artist exclusively is cut down. Lucky directors! May be that’s one reason they don’t mind about getting cheap girls (No offence- girls who come in at cheap rates to act) to act as heroine. They don’t care about the kind of moves they are asked to do in a dance & the costumes for the dance & sometimes the dance itself actually has no role in that scene or the following one. Best example in that category is - in the movie Rhythm(Not a bad movie though :P )When the kid is enjoying the rain at night in the terrace there is this song Ayyo pathikuchu…pathikuchu… And I went like. “Did I by mistake change the channel or something?” From no where people start dancing in the stage & the kid who was supposed to be in bed sleeping is there in the podium sitting watching the dance. Apdiye potaalum..ippo mazhai ila peyudhu..edhuku indha ponnu pathikuchunu koovings?? Kodumai !?!

Our tamil industry hero’s are not exceptional- they are ok with any silly mannerisms & some stupid dialogues that do have double meaning. Vulgar dialogues(Sombu movies), rubbish gestures(Poriki – yaaradhu pokiri’nu padikrahdu??....i meant porikki seyra velaigal), Horrible onscreen behaviour , NOTHING-BUT RUBBISH. I can understand if they are trying to screen a bad guy turn good guy. In that case if hero’s act as how villains would, its fine. But they are imposing on us to accept the hero be that way through out the movie – that is being the actual personality- the hero do stupid things , tease girls, do all rubbish, Behave like an absolute Idiot , Speak filthy language, Dress indecent, still more to list….YUKK!The very thought that these are the guys – today’s young generation is going crazy over annoys me, ire me & worry me!

What are they to be celebrated as great heroes for?? Instead they can go for a Mr.Bean or say vivek rasigar mandram & have a huge cut out for him (Come on – give the guy some credit, if you can take these morons as HERO! He atleast puts a smile &even make you laugh! He has a huge fan club :D Lets not pull him here…..)

My only question is why all these hype for SOME GUY who do not even care about what he is corrupting the young minds with? Certain things cannot be undone & corrupting young minds is one! Well, the language~ Dialogue- acting- dance- ….in the name of this, these guys do all funny awkward things & they are accepted by a huge crowd. To be frank not just accepted but celebrated too!

In a crowd where everyone is a fool but one man who may differ in the idea may be looked upon as an idiot, that doesn’t leave him with option to act a fool. But that is what is happening today! Even those who do understand this, act stupid – they just want to move with the crowd. So they also join the bajan! Although they know that this guy is absolute curse for the culture!

Name just any movie – any actor - any thing. They go HOOGAA HOOGAA!

If it’s the TOSS…”hey macha Toss superdaa..Naan first day first show parthen da.nee?”

Or PORIKI-…”Dey PORIKI…enna padam da… Namma vaal/mooku/kannu enama nadichrukaar pathiya. Kovil dhaan”

Or FREEDOM-… “Freedom! Summa top gear’la odudhula padam. 3 dhadava pathuten dee!”

I have no personal aversion towards any one in the movie industry. But I do respect people who act with SOME DIGNITY & RESPONSIBILITY, which is like....very rare now. Thanks to people with some dignity like ;) aravind swamy who has gently withdrawn from this rat race.

If and only if the directors, script writers, lyricist & actors (well they can choose what not to do atleast!) act more responsible, things will get any better. Otherwise we may be leading the future to grow numb to such non-sense. Simply by repeatedly getting us used to see such non-sense they are trying to impose & make us take it as sense. But non-sense is always going to be that. And we must not forget it.

We are able to understand that the media is not actually bothered about what to play, when to play & movie makers too forget what SENSE is. If we are paying Rs 50 for a drink & there a sip of drainage in it we cannot ignore it. Will you? So is the case when they make movies. They should rate them properly- HONESTLY! And those who telecast them in TV should know what to play when. Its alright when you have any non-sense in an adult rated movie. But they keep giving us non-sense in those that the younger generation watch and try to get the idea that THIS IS NOT WRONG, when it is absolute CRAP! Individual has to be responsible. Its each one’s responsibility to know what is right and wrong. But it would be better if these people in the media act responsible too.

The present TV culture is spoiling kids. The programs where kids are asked to call the VJ’s to have a chit chat with shows how far it has gone. Sometimes watching kids speak I that show, really would make you feel dizzy. They are so much spoiled by the media.

NOTE TO THE PARENTS:

# Know what your kid is watching.

# Suggest the shows that are suitable for them to watch.

#Encourage them to go outside & play. Trust me, it is better than watching the stupid box.

#Channels like Discovery, National geography,History channel can also be fun.Do find out programs that could interest your kid in the junior time.Of course Disney,pogo,CN,Nickelodeon,...goes without saying. :)

# It is better not to watch certain shows with kids around. I do not imply late night shows, but today – yes the shows that really do have some not-for-kids stuff. That also includes some of the songs – in the music channels.

#Never hesitate to tell your kid that – "This is not what it is, these are buffoon in the movies that act this way simply to make money. In real world people do not talk or behave this way. If they do so they will be looked upon as nothing but fools."

# Do tell them that- it is only an entertainer and not a preacher.

# When you see your kid imitate any of the acts/dialogue's/song that are not appropriate for kids (seena thaan too)- stop the kid right there & tell that it is Wrong & not to follow or imitate these. It may be entertaining & amusing for you to see your child imitate but it is never good. This could in fact encourage the child to create a passion towards such things.

# Do get some good videos , nice movies and ask your kid to watch it, you can join him too and make the time a pleasant memorable time.

# Encourage the kids to get involved in creative works than watch TV. These days the cable channels do not have nothing big left for the kids to learn from. They are out of good stuff. Only rarely do you find something nice & do watch it with them.

# Try to make your kid understand what may be suitable to watch & what not in your absence too. Encourage the kid being responsible by reward-punishment method. Punish doesn’t mean spanking the kid :)

Let them grow healthy…. Healthy mind is necessary for a healthy body.

Growing up cultured is even more important!

All that I have shared in this post are my personal views. They are not intended to offend any one. Thavarai meendum meendum seivadhanaal, adhu sari endru aagi vidaadhu! Adhanai pondradhey idhu - indraya thiraipada kalachaaram.

The guilty me!!!

I Returned home – with the guilt!

The guilty idiot ~ that I am!

It was a very beautiful day. 3 of us (Me,co1,co2) planned to have a day out together & decided to go on our own. Traveling on our own is so much fun & adventurous.Every time there is something new I see/observe, sometimes- strange, nice, funny,adorable,sad,beautiful…name it.

But today what I saw was pathetic & more annoying. This took place in one of the public toilets – in Chennai. Oh come on, this is not yet another complain on sanitation…but a humanitarian crisis! And no joke!

While in the morning…say at around 9 or so…we reached this place & 2 of us wanted to use the rest room. So we went & paid the money to a really VILLI looking fat lady(More like the one who keeps speaking filthy dialogs in tamil movie- kasthuri maan) in the counter & walked in. I observed a small girl – not a kid though… an adolescent –say some where between 12 to15 years of age. She was sitting on the floor & washing some clothes. This very sight was not very comfortable to see… How could someone wash the clothes in public rest room & use it? Alright…not my business & may be this is a better place for this girl to wash. And I noticed she was not wearing a very comfortable wear. It was more like the slips/(Commonly called as)shimmi ....that is generally worn as an inner garment but yeah- kids do roam around wearing that, because it looks more like a sleeveless frock. But is generally not a comfortable wear to come out in public with. I smiled at the girl in embarrassment when she looked up at me. And we left & had our long day spent in the longest way we could have. And yes – it was a wonderful day until we returned to the same spot that morning…yeah the same restroom. In the evening at around 4:45 we reached this place & co1 wanted to wash her face. So we went to the same place again. Now me & co 2 stayed back outside. And the (gundu villi) fat lady with villain looks had few other men talking to her. Co 1 came back in few minutes and said … “Hey ..the girl you told about this morning – remember??She is still in there washing- in same state, now looking even more pathetic. She is not properly dressed yet! I wonder if she even came out for lunch.”

I was shocked to hear this and told my co’s that I shall go, check if she is good and get back. My Co1 got really mad at me & said “We cannot trace this every day & secure her forever. Now do not try something heroic and get us all into trouble. Look at that lady- she looks like she can smash the 3 of us in one go. And don’t u dream I will come for help. We are here alone. Remember that!”

Hahaha…I know about co1- She would be the first to come to scene :D & to rescue in case I get in trouble…..But yes- i knew the fact she is saying.

Me- “But then I think I really want to go. U got to go when u got to go…please ,give me some change. I will be right back”

When I entered the restroom I was expecting not very serious about this hoping there may be a better answer. I entered & yes she was right there – same posture & with a pile of clothes. Now most of them wet(she had finished washing) – and she was not properly dressed yet. This time I couldn’t keep quiet.

I tried to talk cool with this little girl …. This is what happened …

Me: Dey! Morning unna inga parthen ila??

The girl: Amaam’ka siricheengaley!

Me: Amaam… :) Sari! Innum enna panra?? Dressum mathikala… Yaravadhu ula varaporanga.

The girl: (Simply smiled)

Me: Sari… Veliya poniya – saptiya…? Ilati inga dhan irukiya kalailerndhey? Dress panitavadhu velaya paren! :)

The girl: Inga dhan irundhen’ka.Dress irukkuuuuuuu – veliya amma vechurukaanga. Idhelaam thuvachu mudikanum…apram dhan…(someone came in)

We both looked – I was near the wash basin. It was that (gundu villi) Fat lady- who was chatting with few men outside.

She stared at the little girl & spoke to her something in a different language- I couldn’t understand. It wasn’t tamil/telugu/hindhi/Malayalam/kannadam. It was not any of the familiar language. And her tone wasn’t very good. And as she spoke the girls face frowned. And then Villi left. And then I tried to see her …she wasn’t looking up at all. She was again back to scrubbing the clothes. She wasn’t ready for a conversation or she was not allowed to have one…..

Me: Sari..dress paniko mudhala- aprama poi edhavadhu saapdu

The girl: (Looked up at me – with a confused face & din’t utter a word. Simply nodded & tried hard to smile)

Me: (Smiled back & walked out now even more confused ,annoyed & angry)

When I came out, I looked at the place where this fat lady was sitting- so that I could try talking to her. She was still chatting with those men. They dint seem very friendly either. I wished she was alone- so could have made some attempt to talk to her.

And I turned back this side to look at my co’s.

:O What I saw this side was even more a vili looking angry girl! Yeah that’s co1. She found out – even with out me uttering a word. And as I neared they asked “ Why maruthu…we told you. It is like that. Look at your face! It looks pathetic. You need not have … ”Co1 seemed really annoyed however co2 tried to convince me…

Bloody hell!! Don’t we see what this is- CHILD ABUSE!!! As defined - Child abuse is the physical or psychological maltreatment of a child, often synonymous with the term child maltreatment or the term child abuse and neglect. Some definitions also include the abuse of children by other children or by themselves . It is happening right here – in front of us! I felt like I was so damn useless.

We could clearly see what is happening….The child was literally being tortured.

From morning 8+ till evening 4:45pm a small girl sitting inside all alone with no proper dress, No food, No one inside with her, No water, and almost all that she does is scrub-wash- rinse…. scrub-wash- rinse…. scrub-wash- rinse…. scrub-wash- rinse….

Won’t a human being go crazy when subjected to something monotonous & cruel like this? And she is hardly 15 may be or even less. What did she do to go through this? And the pile of clothes!! Oh my god! I don’t think even you & I would have washed so much in a day – even if we had washed our own family members clothes!

Now I was in a state of confusion…co1 looked like she is gonna turn me into ashes & my inner voice told that they have a point.

Come on – we are three young girls who have come all alone – with no back up & this place was deserted too. Also the fat lady is not alone – she has company. And the way she sounded inside…MaaaaaaaaaaaaN - am not going to near her alone. Also when she looked at me – it dint seem very much like she would encourage a talk. And am no good at street fight- or should I say fight! My back up dnt seem very comfortable either. And in case we went to talk to her & then she nods an OK. After we leave in case if she is beaten up black & blue?!! Can it get worse…. Can I possibly do something worse than this to that girl?.... atleast now she has her room to be free from pain- assault .

And had I complained to the police man who was around…. What if he simply warns the lady & goes away! Then she beats up the girl for talking to me or even for telling me (Like she did/was let to).

In worst case, she will drag the girl to a different place &make her toil there.

I knew something was going wrong…I knew something is not right…I knew someone was denied the right…A child is denied her right to live her childhood.

And this is humiliation to the girl child!

But that day – I had to walk off…. Come like nothing was wrong. I wish I wasn’t alone there that day! Had appa or My cousin or some grown up been there something could have been done.

I was so incapable! I felt so low- for the selfish creature that I am.

So useless – so self centered – inhumane idiot that I am!

I was elder than that girl….grown up- and I knew what was happening- she knew that I know now….but still I walked away so powerless…so incapable! I lost sleep that night!

I am guilty!!

I feel awful about my behavior – I feel ashamed for what I was not able to do!

And most of all – I am angry with myself ~ the situation ~ the fat lady!

It is better to admit your mistakes than hiding – isn’t it ?? So here I go- I AM CULPABLE!

And I will not go silent – not anymore…. I shall try to get to the same place again & find the fat lady-this time with some proper backup. And am telling the fat lady that she is wrong! Tell her that this could be taken very seriously if I instigate complain. I am telling her that the child needs to live her life!

PS: I wanted to make the 75th post, a memorable one... i will not forget this in my life. But however wanted to mark the 75th post with a sweet post- and a lovely song - lyrics by our Friend Z/Gee
But this came up. Next post would be that and about the birthday funda-DEAL! :)