Fun-filled, traumatic, joyous, troublesome, boring, cruel, pleasing, satisfying, challenging, tempting, misleading - yes Life is full of 'em - that is why life is so very SPECIAL - and yet the thrill is in "living" life! And all the accompanying ordeals are the frills attached with the thrills.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Shun the idiot box, well wait a minute...

The television today, seems to have engulfed - almost - all other activities. Lots have been said how TV has literally spoilt social life, book reading habit, playing outdoor games, visualizing capabilities, made us couch potatoes, given early age eye defects, awful thoughts - what not! And not to forget the oft cursed serials (or the soap operas). Though I find almost everyone swinging brickbats on them, the viewership has not diminished a bit. If you are a regular "serial-watcher" and you missing a day watching it, you would still get the story, miss a week - no worries, skip a few months - you would still be able to decipher the plot! The soap directors think the audience are dunces and we, very earnestly, prove them right - don't we?

Okay, enough of the brickbats - whatever said and done, the TV seems to be a very good companion - at times, the ONLY companion. I have had a stint with this kind of experience during my days away from home. Though I had my roomies, having had to work on shifts, loneliness was inevitable at times and loneliness to me - more than causing boredom and frustration - is haunting! And it was during these times that my friendly companion came to my rescue - who else? my little 14" Videocon TV. Believe it or not, I would just switch on the TV, tune into some song channel or to some insane soap and leave it as is and carry on with my brushing, attending nature's call, cooking, dressing, cleaning and so on - having just a faint idea as to what's going on the TV.

And when I was even farther away from home, getting very little chance to rub shoulders with my native tongue or culture, TV again was my solace. Of course, there were other arenas too - like friends, internet, gazing around, roaming the city, getting to know the other culture, but still, during my times of solitude, I could rely on TV! Even the most irritable song, a disgusting actor, a lousy heroine all seem to have descended from heaven then. I am sure many folks who are staying/have stayed alone (especially the ones living abroad) would be able to relate to this state of mind.

Agreed TV has taken many a quality time but to me, many a time, it has helped me maintain my mental quality :-)

13 comments:

Ravi said...

Veda, same question ponders in my mind too - what is that these serials have? And why do women (especially) watch them so sincerely?

Vikas said...

Yep totally agree with you.. TV is a good friend.

Jeevan said...

Except Sunday, i watch only News in weekdays. some times back, i was used to watch serials, but now i hate serials. Is their any thing useful watching serials, one water form the eye:) the game shows and QUize programs are welcome shows, which help to grow our knowledge. And music programs like Sabthasuvangal are very fine programs.

simplemissie said...

Ravi,
I hate serials but there are some programmes worthwhile watching too. Tv is many a times a gr8 relaxn to the mind

Ravi said...

Veda,
women relate themselves with the characters in serials???

I seriously doubt because almost all the serials have insane stories and highly irritable characters with hardly any connection to realism!

Vikas,
Thanks for coming by :-) Being in a different country, I know you would second my thought.

Jeevan,
Yes, there are still good programmes but the "quatity" and viewership rate is very low. What to do?

Soumya,
Yes, for me too - it tends to relax my mind but the same TV, many times is also the cause to give me headache!

Ravi said...

hmm.. Thanks for the clarification Veda. Yes, people fancy the characters in serials (just as fancing movie stars) and try to imitate them. 90% what they get inspiration of is anything but good!

Balaji S Rajan said...

If you are starting a campaigning against TV serials just let me know. I shall join you. TV is a very good media. There are advantages and disadvantages. Better everyone just use it for the purpose. I often tell my kids that we should not sit in front of it like a robot and chose programs according to the time we have.

Ravi said...

Balaji Sir, I would definitely would like to launch a campaign but not against the serials but against the people who watch them. But inspite of the bad state of serials, I still loved a few like the ones directed/produced by KB and some old (13-week) serials on DD like Penn, Rayil sneham etc.

Anonymous said...

addiction laa..ippo...TV pochu..net vandhadhu...
enakke enna paatha bhayama irukku!!

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Ravi said...

Sree,
Yes, that is what has happened to me as well in this country. I am stuck to net almost at all times when I am at home.

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