Folks, how would you describe the world today in One word? if you ask me, I would in Two : )
I would describe it "Digital" and as "Commercial". Today we look for things which could magically take us on to a Fast track that could fulfill any needs or relieve any kind of stress, all with an ease of pushing a Button. We live in the world where TECHNOLOGY plays an important role that just doesn't stop striving to make our lives more easier. Some of you may think (as you read this post) what is this Non-professional blogger exactly gettin' at! :) Well yes I may not be making a lot of sense talking about the Times we are in now or how the Technology is taking over our natural lives that could anyway relate to this Post about Malgudi Days 1987 and it really doesn't much but just a little, comparing to how simpler those times were earlier when people lived with almost same material expectations or any other but with a twist and that were about Principles, looking for the real meaning of LIFE, existence of each individual and their contribution to the community. Please forgive me, I am not implying that there are no such people including myself in today's era that would do anything for the betterment of their communities but its just that I personally feel, the voice is not heard enough.
Let me ask you another question, regarding family sitcoms on TV:
Folks, in today's date would you be interested in watching just an Episode about a life of an ordinary Clerk or Cashier or a Cobbler or any Common Man (of any profession) who didn't make a million bucks?? I guess 90% of us may not, since there are lot of choices to skip Or who knows may be we've just lost those directors who created 80s DD soap Operas which had all that. I am talking about those stories like in a 20min episode every week we watched a simple Life of a Farmer who managed to make us cry and at times put a huge smile on our faces and the Viewers no matter what status or class they belonged, they bought it and loved it. There was a connection and the Essence of life was not all that different. One thing I would like to add about Reality shows today in Sports and some informative programs including News and talk shows are really great and have evolved a lot compared to old Doordarshan programs. So that's a Good thing!
Some of the viewers in the mails write to me that "You Digg for memories from the Past 'cause this thing called "Nostalgia" hit you good and for the fact those Serials were off the air for a long time" and I agree but that is not all true. Doordarshan Programs had some really great content with good quality of Art and Direction which managed to convince us and made a difference in our thoughts. Of course in the earlier days Doordarshan, the state-owned monopoly was the only channel yet it had a lot of Variety and thru which we not only got entertained but got educated about lot of things in a fairly practical way. That's how I remember those days.
So how about those times right! who can really forget what Magic Malgudi days brought in our Lives : ) The TV series so well directed by the Late Kannada Actor and Director Shankar Nag based on R K Narayan's short stories along with his Brother, another renowned Kannada Actor, Politician Mr. Ananth Nag who played many roles and contributed really great throughout the show.
Wonderful Stories that revolved around a Small town known as MALGUDI and the period was quite earlier when the Country was under the British Rule. Believe me or not this show had everything, there were stories that dealt with humility, religion, a family, Govt servants, about a Child, a Maid, Vendors, a belief, Student, the watchman or just a Mail-man.. anything you could think of.
Another fact, what is unforgettable about Malgudi days, is the title track ta na na ta na..! the soothing flute music, the playback sounds in the series and the beginning credits. Here's a crazy thought: Is it me or do you also think when you look at R K. Laxman's cartoons, the story tells itself : ) great sketches aren't they? The acclaimed cartoonist R K. Laxman with those superb illustrations always made me wonder what would they show today? will it be a suspense story? a thriller or a happy ending, well, whatever goes on in the mind of an 8 to 9 year old kid, Right!
As we watched we wondered about the Stories that put us into a deep thought, sometimes we laughed, we were surprised, saddened, fooled and at times terrified just like how Life could throw anything at ya. What can I say more, It was simply great, entertaining and interesting to watch. Lastly i would like to say, If there was an Emmy Award or an award equivalent to Oscar for Indian television Programs those days, I bet Malgudi days would have won many and again in many categories.
Watch this amazing Episode: "Engine Trouble" one of my Favorite story 'n' it is so funny about an unsophisticated person winning a Lottery prize at the town's Fair and how he gets Tangled with that Prize..Enjoy!
very good Post Sir.. Sach mein kitane pyare Din hua karte the Bachpan ke.. laut ke nahi aane wale.. sirf yaadein reh jaati hain. Mein kush hogaya aapke is website ko dekh kar aur mere chehre pe ek muskaan hai jaise bachche dete hai, meetha sa...apni mann pasand cheez milne par..and yes old programs from DD were made after lot of research unlike today's family programs where there is only one formula i.e.,every big family suffers from bad family members and something like that.. which is very boring..and most of all its about lot of Fashion materials getting advertised so that is the main thing not the Story line. Good luck and I hope you find good success in making aware of what real entertainment is for today's generation. I mean going along with Today's Time,trends,accent and language we should strive for some reality which will be helpful to the citizens of India of any age. Thank you Sir. Rab rakha.
ReplyDeleteG8 Video Thanks For Uploading
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Awesome Post.
ReplyDeleteThe post is very interesting to me and I wish I will be Back again to your Blog To read more Post of you and watching Videos of you.
Thanking you.
Bangladesh
Thank you friend bahut accha laga purane din yaad aa gaye
ReplyDeleteMalgudi days was Genius, must have had great writers for the show. I will agree with the Author regarding content of Doordarshan sponsored and some even produced programs telecast in the 20th century being informative and real, whether you like drama, sci-fi, sitcoms, animated series or sketch comedy they always came up with Good stuff including some chosen best European, Britan or be it American shows. There was really some kind of Magic like to wait and watch your favorite programs. That kind of excitement and feeling to watch a Sitcom is just vanished according to my own opinion and yes also agree on the other side of the coin, the Whole TV informative programs on DD or anywhere else has changed dramatically for good, people are not just watching HD quality channels but may be getting a clear vision to do something about their lives and for the community.
ReplyDeleteTo the author of this cool blog, I would like to request to find some information of an old German detective serial on DD, i think the English version of it was known as "Old fox" between the years 82-86.
Great to recall some old memories about Billboard program it was just amazing then as it was so easy to find the best english numbers of the week on Uk and American charts. Lot of memories.. Good Job.. Thumbs up!!
Golden Days, Precious days of 80s era..true very true! actually today we can undoubtedly call our TV sets as Idiot Box referring to the kind of any Hindi Drama series that are made. So Messed up, not that great writers, really no point in watching these serials. No variety in stories same old saans bahu and family business dramas. i would like to see some great directors with really useful projects to turn our lives better like Malgudi days, Darpan, Udaan, Param vir chakra or bharat ek khoj where all the cultures within the country were blended in and presented so beautifully. I also remember Old Comedy series of good quality like Yeh jo hai zindagi or Aa bail mujhe maar. Please dear poster of this blog i request you to bring to us old TV series of "STONE BOY" and "INDRADHANUSH" (karan johar was teen actor in it) i am desperately waiting for these.. Thanks for the old memories.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and I like your core interests. Regardless I do infer that once-overs still have some authenticity, yet the notification should endeavor to make the summary one of a kind and elucidate every point on the once-over in unobtrusive component.
ReplyDeleteDancing Talent And Skills