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Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
Introduction
Ever since the advent of modern communication technologies that has allowed people
around the world to communicate ever so easily, the world itself seems like a smaller space.
Space broadcasting is especially effective through which millions of people are able to access
and become unified on the basis that they are common recipients of messages and particularly
the medium of broadcast which even illiterates can easily comprehend. One of the most powerful
informers of these media is Television where programs can be seen around the world to serve
many purposes. In most contemporary societies, television has a role in the social construction of
reality.
Television viewing has a great impact on various aspects of life. Television is becoming
more and more common and is found in more households than ever before. In rural India,
increase in the growth of television viewing gave rise in the tremendous changing habits in the
lifestyle of the people. Television is playing a major role in bringing changes in the lifestyles of
the people in any society. In this process of communication the people know about the things
that are happening around them. It is needful to the human society to improve knowledge and
for knowing the latest innovations and modern technologies. Television enables people to get
necessary information and makes them to participate in national affairs.
Television reaches out to remote corners of the country and today it has impacted the
lives of its masses living in the fringes of society and civilization including remote villages and
deep forests where the tribal live. A considerable portion of India lives in its tribes. These tribes
are the living example of how life was in the earlier days. This shows what the difficulties were
that man had to face before the advent of machine and technology. India must also be seen
through a different and inclusive perspective of these tribes and tribal villages. Though some of
them on the verge of extinction, there are still several tribal communities in India that are
thriving who also fiercely protect their identity and culture.
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
handful of tribes of Karnataka who have changed their religions to Islam, Christianity, Buddhism
etc.
The tribes of Karnataka are also known for their costumes, cultural habits, folk dances
and songs, foods and their way of celebrating different festivals and occasions. The long list of
the tribes of Karnataka state includes Bedar tribe, Toda tribe, Hakki-Pikki tribe, Jenu Kuruba
tribe, Kadu Kuruba tribe, Kattunayakan tribe, Konda Kapus tribe, Sholaga tribe etc. Among
several tribal communities of the state of Karnataka, the Bedar tribe is worth mentioning which
is far famed in several names, namely, Beda, Berad, Boya, Bendar, etc. (SubramanyamV, and
Mohan K.R.R., (2006)
The Hakki-Pikki Tribe
(IndiaNetZone.com) The history of the Hakki-Pikki tribal community is rich, varied and,
diverse and also establishes its relation with the famous legendary rebel Rajasthan king Ranaprathap Singh. The tribe is said to be semi nomadic and the tribe has four clan divisions
namely the Gujratia, Kaliwala, Mewara and Panwara. Among these clans, the Gujratia is
considered as being the highest in status clan whereas the Mewara is considered as the lowest
one. As far as the languages are concerned, these Hakki-Pikki tribal communities converse with
each other in the beautiful dialect of the language of Gujaratia. Further, it has been said that this
Hakki-Pikki tribal community is associated with the Kshatriya or warrior tribal community who
had to migrate downwards towards the southern part after being defeated by the famous Mughal
kings. The tribe is well conversant in their local dialect Vahgri, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi and
some also speak Malayalam and Telugu languages
In order to sustain their livelihood, these Hakki-Pikki tribal communities have taken up
occupations like hunting (Mancha S., (2012). In fact it has been said that the unique name of the
community is Padi Rajputh or Melshikari, as this Hakki-Pikki tribal community have developed
expertise in hunting airborne creatures. For some inquisitive reason, the name Hakki-Pikki was
assigned to the community and has remained with it since then. In fact, in the official documents,
the community has been recorded as Hakki-Pikki.
Following the tradition most of the nomadic tribal communities, these Hakki-Pikki tribal
community too follow the rules of matriarchy. When the male member of the Hakki-Pikki family
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
is out for most part of the year, a woman of the Hakki-Pikki tribal community maintains the
family. Many of the Hakki-Pikki tribal community women also take a trip selling beads. HakkiPikki females in general execute skillful jobs like polishing beads, making ornaments, weaving
intricate designs into bags, purses and other utility items, organizing decorative flowers, making
vases, using animal parts into objects of utility, making herbal and medicinal oils etc.
Hakki-Pikkis have ardent faith in numerous gods and goddesses. Every clan of the
community has their own deities and marriage between the worshippers of the same deity is
strictly prohibited. Amongst the numerous deities these Hakki-Pikki tribal community are ardent
followers of the Goddess Chamundeshwari. They consider Dadaji as their supreme god. Apart
from these gods, they worship Jogan, Vikhli, Nokor, and Dugao-Kalka or Durga-Kalika. They
are considered as believers of the Hindu religion and apart from these, their religious beliefs
encompass some other religious beliefs, rituals and ceremonies, rites etc.
The Hakki-Pikkis who have been the subject of study in this dissertation have mainly
originated from Rajasthan. They moved to the southern states and spread across Andhra Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The tribe settled in and around the Gauribidanur area which borders
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are still semi-nomadic and claim to be residing in temporary
tenements and hutments for the past 70 years. Their main occupation is hunting birds and
animals which have since been outlawed now which threatens their livelihood.
Though largely illiterate the Hakki-Pikkis have been adapt to changing times and have
incorporated various technologies into their daily lives in keeping up with the times. Every
household has electricity, television sets; radio sets transistors and cell phones (Long, N. (1977).
Hakki-Pikkis today though living in the outer fringes of society are mingling with the
main stream and are slowly changing their lifestyles and are trying to keep pace with their urban
counter part, which signifies that their adaptability to technology and modern communication is
making inroads into their lives, and bringing about a lifestyle change.
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
Review of Literature
Literature review is considered to be the most important stage of the research process as
it allows learning from previous researches and also saves time, efforts and money. Therefore,
the researcher reviewed all the relevant literature available. A logical and systematic review of
the literature made the completion of this study possible.
The focal point of the study was to evaluate the television effect on lifestyle of Specified
Hakki Pikki Tribe of Gauribidanur Town. Literature review revealed that one of the major
concerns amongst the researchers all over the world was the amount of exposure to television
and its impact on the society. The impact of Televisions incessant presentation of social roles is
sometimes a problem for cultures that differ in their values from the place where these programs
originate. Ideas about family, interaction, marriage and roles are not the same as projected in
foreign
Programs as they are within the native country. The following section presents a review
of the results of relevant studies. The importance of audience and media relationship has been
recognized in the western countries thus the researcher felt the need of addressing the impact of
television on the audience especially on tribe (Hakki-Pikki) researchers began to analyze the
nature and perceived effects of the rapid spread of commercial television as the foreign cultural
influence in their region. Before 1970s, a good deal of attention in Latin American
communication writing was focused on critical analysis of media but with relatively little
attention to audience. Later, emphasis was laid on media and audience by exploring what popular
culture meant.
The importance of audience and media relationship has been recognized in the western
countries thus the researcher felt the need of addressing the impact of television on the audience.
The only way a television program can inform its viewers is by capturing and
maintaining their attention throughout the show. Since most educational television has its sights
set on teaching the youngest of viewers, considerable research has been aimed at determining the
elements of a programs content that not only attract kids but engage them cognitively as well
(Campbell, Wright & Huston, 1987; Crawley et al., 2002; Lorch &Castle, 1997; Rolandelli,
Wright, Huston & Eakins, 1991).
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
In their research, Lorch and Castle (1997) maintained that childrens engagement with
the content increased as the length of their looks at the television screen increased. The longer
they look the more theyre engaged. The more theyre engaged the more chance of teaching
them something! Much important work has been done on television's socializing effects
particularly on the relationship between viewing violence and behaving violently.
Other recent research has focused on the area of media literacy. In 40 years of television
research, "the emphasis on negative effects has been more salient than efforts to ensure positive
effects through interventions" and "media research has generally not been theory based" (Wetzel
et al., 1994, p. 189).
Nevertheless, some positive findings have been made. While some theories suggest that
viewers are merely passive absorbers of information, the active theory of cognitive processing
supports the idea that viewers engage with the material presented to them. Several studies have
indicated that viewers attend more carefully to television when guided by an instructor and/or
told to view it for instructional reasons than when viewing it for fun (Wetzel et al., 1994).
It seems reasonable to conclude, therefore, that a program can guide the amount of
mental effort a viewer invests by increasing the viewers attention to the television screen. But,
to capture childrens attention, the program simply must appeal to them. To create programming
that educates even while it entertains, both the formal features of the medium and the
instructional content must be taken into consideration.
The above mentioned study concluded that impact of television is pervasive and
stimulates the changes in viewers lifestyle. Television is an effective tool to arouse change in a
society. The present study evaluated the type of changes occurring in viewers.
Objectives of the Study
1. To find out the impact of television on tribal community (Hakki-Pikki) in changing their
lifestyle.
2. To find out if television has helped in increasing general awareness among tribal through
television.
3. To analyze television viewing habits among tribal.
4. To find out if television has created an awareness in the field of literacy and education.
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
Female
45%
55%
The above (chart 1) illustrates that majority of the television viewers are women 55 per
cent and the male were 45 per cent, here we can see that the women head more number of
television viewers.
Chart 2: Age Group of the Respondents
18-25
26-35
35 and above
15%
37%
48%
The above seen graph represents that highest number of respondents belong to 26-35 of
age group. The age group of above 35 has second highest number of respondents. The least
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
number of respondents belongs to 18-25 which shows that out of all the respondents youngsters
are comparatively less in number.
Chart 3: Literacy Rate of the Respondents
Illiterate
School Education
Intermediate
11%
10%
79%
The Chart 3 represents that the literacy level among the Hakki-Pikki tribe is low, though
they have exposed themselves to the television yet they are unable to perceive the importance of
literacy, only 10 per cent among 100 per cent are educated only at school level, and 11 per cent
of the tribal have studied up to Intermediate or Pre University College (PUC).
Chart 4: Respondents Exposure Towards Television
Yes
No
0%
100%
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
The above (Chart 4) representation shows that all the respondents are exposed to
television and they do watch television.
Chart 5: Respondents Place of Watching Television
At Home
At Place of Work
At Friends/Neighbors Home
20%
4%
76%
The graphical representation in the above graph represents that majority of the
respondents watch television at their home, 20 per cent watch at their friends or neighbors home,
while only 4 per cent watch television at their work place.
Here we can understand that majority of the respondents have their own television set at
their home. However, very few numbers of the respondents do not own television set of their
own, so they watch at friends or neighbors home, while rest 4 per cent who work in the city area
watch television at work place.
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
1-2 Hours
2-3 Hours
0%
21%
25%
54%
With regarding to the number of hours they watch television, above (Chart 6) illustration
shows, out of 100 respondents, 21 per cent spend 1-2 hours in a day for watching television, and
54 per cent spend 2-3 hours, while 25 per cent watch television for more than 3 hours in a day.
It is fact that all the respondents spend more than one hour watching television, indicates
that television occupies an important aspect in their lifestyle. From this we may understand that
the television plays a vital role in their lifestyle.
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
99%
94%
91%
84%
82%
26%
10%
13%
8%
In response to the type of programs the respondents watch, the above illustrated graph
shows the highly viewed programs are: Movies (99 per cent), News (94 per cent), Entertainment
Programs (91 per cent), Drama/ Serials (84 per cent), Music Programs (82 per cent). However,
respondents also 26 per cent watch Agriculture Based Programs, 13 per cent watch Religious
Based Programs, only 10 per cent of them view reality shows, while 8 per cent watch cartoons.
We can also observe in the above findings that the tribal respondents extremely watch
movies. Though they are high in viewing entertainment programs like drama serials, music
programs, cartoon etc, but they also have an interest to know the information based program like
news, which shows that people in the tribe also have an urge for the news and information other
than the entertainment, compared to the news and entertainment.
Meanwhile, they also show interest in watching agriculture programs, but few members
are engaged in agricultural activities. The Government has given land to cultivation to earn their
livelihood, but they are unable to utilize it properly. This might be because they watch fewer
programs related to the agriculture. On the other hand, that they might unable to follow the
scientific method cultivation programs broadcasted in television.
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
For Entertainment
3%
18%
43%
36%
We can observe in the above graph on the reasons behind the respondents watch
programs, it shows 18 per cent watch for the purpose of to gain information, 36 per cent to learn
/ educational purpose, 43 per cent for entertainment and 3 per cent of them said they are unsure.
The illustration in the above graph shows that the respondents watch more for the
entertainment purpose, than compared to the education and information purpose. This reveals
that they watch more number of entertainment programs. This might be because of low literacy
rate they go for less educational and informational programs.
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
To Some Extent
Not At All
Dont Know
3% 0%
42%
55%
The chart indicates that the responses of the candidates on how far the television
programs have been affected their lifestyle is, 55 per cent said that they affected their lifestyle to
some extent, and 42 per cent said not at all affected and only 3 per cent said they were not sure.
The respondents in the Hakki-Pikki tribe accepted that television have affected nil in the
large extent, but more than half of the total respondents accepted that it has been to some extent
like they watch television for the purpose of education, entertainment and information and this
might be influenced their lifestyle.
Chart 10: In What Way Television Programs Affect Respondents Lifestyle
56%
53%
58%
29%
18%
3%
Learning
General
Knowledge
In Knowing
Current Affairs
Creating
Awareness
Occupation
Through
Information
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
To the question, what way the programs they watched on television affected their
lifestyle, the above graph explains only 3 per cent respondents said that it has been affected in
developing general knowledge, followed by 18 per cent affected in adapting current trends in
everyday life, 56 per cent creating awareness, 53 per cent in improved prospects in job and 58
per cent in entertainment, while 29 per cent in changing their lifestyle.
On the effects of television on tribal above data indicates that considerable percentage of
respondents have been affected through television by way of creating awareness and there is also
a considerable percentage of respondents said that information relatively to occupation.
This development shows that the tribe people also watch the programs which are related
to the occupation and the tribal interest to the occupation other than their traditional hunting,
though we have seen how majority feel the entertainment programs affected them most there is a
balance between entertainment, information and educational programs.
Chart 11: To What Extent Television Programs Relate Respondents Lifestyle
To Large Extent
To Some Extent
Don't Know
4. not at all
0%
26%
4%
70%
In terms of at what extent the programs related to their lifestyle, the above illustration
represents that only 4 per cent said that the programs relate to a large extent, majority of the
respondent (70 per cent) said to some extent while 26 per cent were not sure.
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
Though they have been exposed to the television the data shows that few number of
people agree that television programs relate at a large extent, and more number of people relate
television programs to some extent. This might be of westernization of media. The Hakki-Pikki
tribe may not get related to the programs which are far of their culture and practices.
Graph 12: Respondents relate programs to their lifestyle
75%
63%
50%
24%
7%
Its Related To
Occuption
Adapt In My
Lifestyle
I Discuss It
It Is Close To My
Lifestyle
The above graph indicates that the percentage of respondents related the programs they
watch on television. 50 per cent said it is their part of everyday activity, 75 per cent respondents
relate to their occupation, 63 per cent said they adapt in their daily lifestyle (for eg: Health,
beauty, cooking tips, general knowledge etc..) 24 per cent relate them by discussing with
family/friends/neighbors and only 7 per cent said they are closely related to their life.
From the above data we can observe that majority of the respondents relate television
programs to their occupation, and the considerable number of respondents have adapted
whatever they have learnt from the television in their lifestyle for at least half of the total
respondents, television program become part of their daily activities. We learnt that through this
television considerable percent of impact on their lifestyle occupation and daily activities. We
can also appreciate how considerable number of respondents discusses these programs with
family, friends and neighbors.
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
To Some Extent
9%
Don't Know
Not At All
20%
24%
47%
The above graph shows that percentage of positive improvement in respondents lifestyle
by watching television habit; 20 per cent said to a large extent positive effect, 47 per cent said to
some extent, 24 per cent said dont know/cant said and 9 per cent replied not at all.
Majority of the respondents have said television has considerable positive improvement
in their lifestyle through their television viewing habits. However, a considerable percentage of
respondents are not sure it has a positive improvement in their lifestyle. We cannot ignore the
fact that small percentage respondents feel that there is no positive improvement at all, but still
they watch television.
Summary
The study shows how the group of people is evolving and changes in their lifestyle
through their television viewing habits. This research aims to find out the impact of television on
this tribal community (Hakki-Pikki) and how the people of the tribe are being influenced by
television. The study also focuses on how television, has helped in increasing general awareness
among the tribes. The study also focuses to find the literacy levels amongst the tribe members
and if through the audio visual media of television influence their education and learning.
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
The methodology used in this research was a survey conducted among the members of
the Hakki-Pikki tribe living in the outskirts of Gauribidanur town. A questionnaire was an
instrument that was specifically designed to find out some basic information about the HakkiPikkis, their literacy levels and their television viewing habits. The questionnaire in Kannada
was then administered to over 100 respondents in the tribe.
After the data was collected from the questionnaires the results were then tabulated and
charts and tables were generated for analysis which helped generate the findings of the study.
On the whole the respondents in the Hakki-Pikki tribe were low in the literacy but they
used television as entertainment programs when compared to education. Here we can see an
important aspect, that though they are illiterate, their urge to the informative and educative
programs was perceived as education primarily in the form of entertainment and what they could
relate with their occupation.
Conclusion
The interior tribals should be brought into the mainstream instead of keeping them in
isolation. Majority of the tribals are still ignorant about the government development programs
because lack of information and proper motivation. Education media can help a lot for the Tribal
Development and change.
Television facility should be extended to the tribal areas and also the felt need of setting
community TV centers. They treat the folk media items, film and radio media as entertainment.
The film media has much effect on the life of the tribal people when compared to other modern
media items. It brought certain change in the dressing pattern of the tribal people.
The government public relations department needs to pay much attention to organize
audio-visual programs regularly in the tribal areas. This kind of media can also create awareness
and make them to participate fully in the ongoing development programmers and in turn, they
get the opportunity to contribute for nation development.
Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
Observations
The Hakki-Pikkis are an isolated tribe who lived outside the city of Gauribidanur. Yet
they mingle with the urban people for their livelihood and communication.
Television is their main source of information, education and entertainment for the
Hakki-Pikki. This is clearly established by the fact that 100 per cent of the respondents
said that they watched television for at least 2-3 hours every day.
Implications
The tribes are established in outstrips of the town, if they are brought in to the city or in
the town they can also get par with the society.
Introducing new educational channels and presenting them in entertain able manner.
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Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.
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Paper Presented at national seminar on Media & Contemporary Society organized on March 28 & 29, 2014 by
Department of Journalism, Sahyadri Arts College, Shimoga, Karnataka, India.