O P Modi
Nowadays there is no home that does not have a TV. Some have even two or three sets. There was a time when some of us used to go to neighbors’ house to watch the television there; as majority did not have the gadget. However, since then everything has undergone a great change. Everyday new gadgets are advertised through print and social media. There are cable televisions, dish TVs, Home theater, Curved TV. LED LCD, OLED etc..
However, in the beginning for the host, in whose home the serials on TV were watched, it used to be a pleasure to receive so many guests. He used to provide even tea and snacks to all the visitors. Day after day the number of guests swelled as they began coming along with their families. Soon it became a nightmare for the host. Every nook and corner was occupied by the guests and no space was left for the host family even to sit. Becoming highly disturbed he began cold shouldering the visitors. He began to keep the main door of his house shut at the time when the visitors were expected to come. But that was the situation in very early days.
Many years back, before the television made its entry people used to entertain themselves in Theaters (which continue even today) and Melas. Watching dummies dancing too was a way for enjoyment. There were other means such as Circus. In it comedians who were known as jokers too entertained the public. Circus used to be a big source of entertainment. It is banned now as it is rightly believed that it is out right cruelty to the animals. People took part in large numbers in religious ceremonies.
As mentioned above these days almost everyone has not one but even two or more TV sets. All family members have the opportunity to view the serial of their choice’. Total number of channels exceeds 800. These include news, entertainment, sports, children’s and entertainment ones. News and other programmers are broadcast in all regional languages. Many English channels broadcast news and drama serials. On demand such channels can be had in other foreign languages.
There are more than two hundred Hindi channels. These cater to the need and pleasure of the family. There is one Urdu channel which shows very interesting serials. These are short and pithy. The theme of every story is practically the same. In most of its serials a husband has two wives, who vie with each trying to get the attention of their husband. Generally, only one has a son she feels she is superior to the other and expects that she ought to be treated as the ruling queen of the family. Usually husband, although loving expects wife to act as a servant. He is very harsh and some of them beat their wives. There is variety of stories to watch. These are so interesting that the viewer remains glued to it till its end. The direction and acting is superb. The back ground music is appropriate and low pitched. This channel shows serials in Hindi, Punjabi and dubbed language also.
TV Plays an important role in providing insight to the culture, language and dress of people of our other regions and that of other countries. Their customs to solemnize marriages and other ceremonies such as mundane, nam karan, goud brahi etc. differ from that of ours No doubt in our neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma etc. people practice their own customs. Despite that there is a noticeable impact of other people’s culture and customs.
Hindi channels also provide interesting serials. But some channels broadcast serials that have been running for years together. One such channel carries stories that are extremely superstitious. This can harm the psyche of the viewers particularly the young children. In one serial dead person suddenly becomes alive and then vanish! A ghost enters the body of living women and orders to kill her own family as revenge. Sometimes it is avenged by a person who takes the form of a snake. All this is unconvincing to a sound mind. Yet, many such serials have continued without an end. During the break there is lot of advertisement. Generally the viewers shut down the TV at that time. Popularity of a serial can be measured by the number of advertisements that appear during the break.
It is interesting to know that when a break in the serial comes the watcher quickly shifts to other channel and return to the original one when a break occurs there.
Television sets are fitted in buses, trucks and cars. In aircrafts too these are installed. While it provides news and entertainment to passengers it also gives latest weather condition to the drivers so that they are able to run their vehicles according to forthcoming conditions of roads etc.
In the end it would be right to say that the invention has brought great change in the lives of people. There is instant benefit of learning almost everything and planning their days and nights accordingly.
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