the-impact-of-star-plus-and-other-channels-in-pakistani-society

The impact of Star Plus and other channels in Pakistani

society.
In my opinion it’s not the fault of Indian Channels or others. They can’t be blamed for
what they are showing as they are merely commercial channels which don’t even
represent the true Indian culture. They are in a kind of race to compete with each other.
Even our local channels like Geo TV and KTN are showing vulgar and immoral dramas.
No one else is going to do the hard work of monitoring what kind and how much
television children watch. However, it’s the sole responsibility of the parents and
secondly the Government to monitor them. The parents can monitor what their children
are watching and the Government can monitor what our local and foreign channels are
displaying by setting up a watch dog committee.
With an increasing number of TV channels and programs coming into our homes each
day, it can be hard for parents to monitor what their children are watching. Many parents
are concerned about their young children watching programs with content that’s more
suitable for older children or adults. Even in countries like USA and UK parents are
highly concerned about what their children are watching but they have mechanism and
systems, through which they can control it.
Unfortunately in Pakistan, we don’t have systems like TV RATINGS (system to give
parents more information about the content and age-appropriateness of TV programs) and
THE V-CHIP AND PARENTAL CONTROLS (a device built into most television sets
since 2000 — to allow parents to block out programs they don’t want their children to
see. The V-Chip electronically reads television program ratings and allows parents to
block programs they believe are unsuitable for their children. Parental control technology
in cable and satellite set-top boxes can also be used with the TV Parental Guidelines to
block programs based on their rating).
So I think instead of merely banning the channels we should introduce the systems like
V-CHIP AND PARENTAL CONTROLS and TV RATINGS and should have a TV
Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board in Pakistan. The board should comprise the
experts from the television industry and public interest advocates. The Board should also
review complaints about specific program ratings to help ensure accuracy.
What Are Impacts Of Indian Dressing In Pakistan?

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0
Pakistani culture is based on Islam. Islam is the true religion and it is not possible that it
will have impact of any other religion. Its culture is a complete set of things which are
unable to amend by others. Census data indicates that over 97% of the populations are
Muslims. Over 98% of 166 million peoples of Pakistan are Muslims.

Pakistan has an impact of Indian dressing culture as well. Pakistan is a Muslim country
but people have gained western and Indian culture due to modernization and
westernization. It has a negative impact on the original culture gifted by Islam but we are
not denying the bad effects of Indian style of dressing that we have adapted.

Example:

The very examples are those of Sarhi, sleeveless dressing, short shirts, less use of
cheddar, etc. On special occasions, ladies use to wear Indian culture for show off. This
can be observed during the functions of mod scad cities of Pakistan. People have learned
these things from Indian drama and movies at most.
http://www.blurtit.com/q459730.html
Effects of Drama Culture in Pakistani Society

Almighty ALLAH said in Quran: (Mafhoom):

Those who are playing in avocation, they are drive towards the hell with a forceful
pushing. (Al-toor;Al-Quran)

HADITH:
“Woe to him who tells lies to make people laugh-woe to him-woe to him”. (Ahmed;
Trimdhi)

First of all I would like to discuss “what is the drama culture?” then what are the
norms, values and tradition of Pakistan and then I would move to the major topic
Effect of Drama Culture in Pakistani Society. So what is the drama culture? By
Drama we means that “Any thing in writing or in acting which make people to laugh
or grief or think about certain idea or to feel the conditions of some miserable people
or a clear illustration of the situation by means of artificially created character and
set which is totally imaginary in its creation”.

Actually the writer picturises the situation in words and the actor acts accordingly to
make the situation clear to the reader or viewer of the drama. It is very effective
way to convey your message to the audience.

“Trends of the people of particular area to celebrate the events of happiness and
grief according to the preset norms, values and tradition of the particular area or
reluctance or acceptance in adoption of new things”. During the last few years
Pakistan adopted variety of things and also abolish lot of things. Adoption rate is so
high than the deletion of things. Examples of the culture are the Punjabi, Sindi,
Balochi and Phatan culture in Pakistan.
Scientifically culture is the particular habitat where different species of animal lead
their lives with a high degree of interdependence. In this culture some animals are
powerful while others are weak, stronger animal dominant the weaker one’s and
ultimately they swallow the weaker animals b/c animal have no knowledge and
wisdom. But there is an animal, which has knowledge and wisdom but also, behaves
like proud animals, this animal is human being. This animal uses different tools and
ways to disgrace weaker section of the community; kill them, abuse them, scold
them, laugh at them, make fun of them and ultimately deprives them from their
native right of universal freedom and compel them to live just to serve the stronger
section of the community. Now the stage drama culture strengthens this process by
introducing different new style and words to make laugh someone and disgrace some
others.

This drama culture is totally base on the maltraditions of the society, which are
nothing except lie, and collection of liar people who feel much happy while doing
this. This culture also has some traditions to make other people laugh by telling lie,
joking at them, boasting, making unrealistic stories about other, creation of
imaginary writing or acting, the actor are just like the cartoons and the drama is
their show in the dual hand of director producer and public in front of stage.

By the last few years this cartoon culture flourished much, which involved people of
every age. Every body laughs widely on their act and enjoy themselves. The people
feel that they are now free from the bitter reality of the cruel life while watching
them. Those who are use to this culture become senseless and have no regard to the
people in difficulty but they claim that they are very sensitive b/c they depicts the
very minute things “which are usually neglected by the society” in their writing or
acting to induce thinking on that point in the society. Infact they have no aim behind
this except to attract people’s attention and accumulate money. This drama culture
demolishes many traditions and values of our society.

Now I come towards the norms, values and tradition of our society. As we all have a
knowledge that Pakistan has more than 90% Muslim people and also Pakistan was
achieved on the name of Islam so on the basis of these strong evidence, I can argue
that “Pakistani society as a Muslim society which has its foundation in Medina
Munawara by the Holy prophet (P.B.U.H) at the very beginning of Hijri calendar”.

This society was very unique in many aspects b/c this was established by Holy
prophet (P.B.U.H) and this was cooperative society, one has every necessity of life
but other deprive of that b/c of migration. In this society, Holy prophet (P.B.U.H)
attaches every emigrant (Mahajer) to the local people of the Medina (Inssar) by one
to one arrangements.

In an Islamic society, five things are very basic except these a man can never be a
Muslim, so the Muslim society can never be established. These are the; Faith in
ALLAH, Faith in Angeles, Faith in His Books, Faith in His Prophets, Faith in life after
death and every good or bad thing is from the Almighty ALLAH. These are the basic
things, which keep in track the man and refrains him from evils to destroy the
society.

In Islamic society respect, love, affection and fear of ALLAH are the major cocepts,
which play vital role in the success of the society. As there is the saying of our Holy
prophet (P.B.U.H): (Mafhum):
“He is not amongst us who does not show respect to his elder and not love to his
younger”

It is very clear from this hadith that respect and love have special place in Islamic
society. When there is respect of elders and love to younger, there is no disparity in
the society. We respect our elder so much, we give special place to father, mother,
brothers, sisters, other relatives, teachers, friends, age fallows, women and elder
people of the society. We give them due respect and fallow them in every walk of
life. These respectable people also guide us; they have great love and affection with
us. There is an emotional attachment b/w we, which is the major factor of building
social relationship in the society.

The most important concept is the fear of ALLAH. This is the fear of ALLAH which
motivates the people to do every positive thing for the well being of the creature of
ALLAH and resist him from doing any thing wrong which effect the society in any
way. Due to fear of ALLAH, man prey to ALLAH in such a way “O ALLAH show me the
right path and stop me from doing wrong and make me a man which is liked by You,
O’ ALLAH help me-help me” this shows that man in Islamic society, accepts ALLAH as
his Creator, Master, Helper and Caretaker.

An other aspect of Islamic society is the justice. Social justice, political justice, self-
justice, economics justice and justice in every walk of life. I think, “Without justice
life is nothing at all”. When there is justice, prosperity is there, every person is
happy with every other person, so society as a whole running on the sound footing of
trust on each other which derive the social well-being of the miserable people and
give them equal status in the society. Justice play vital role in minimizing social
disparity in society.

Veil (Pardah) is also very important, which is the symbol prestige for women. Due to
this female in Islamic society are very safe. Veil is very important for the whole
society b/c it stops a lot of moral evils, which cause so much complication in the
smooth running of the society.
Almighty ALLAH said in Quran: (Mafhoom)
“And remain in your own homes”
Also the word Aurat have meanings of “one’s who live under veil”.

There are five basic principles of Islam (Kalma, Namaz, Roza, Zakat and Hajj). These
are the obligation from ALLAH on every Muslim. These help the people in realizing
the existence of their creator “The Almighty ALLAH” and so many other such
respectable things are also there to get calm, peace and patience by observing them.

Now the “Effect of Drama Culture in Pakistani Society”.

All the things that I had discussed above are affected by the drama culture, some
are totally depleted and some are near to depletion and some others are in threat of
destruction. You all are familiar with the word addiction that means “a person use to
some thing” now a days people are addict to the stage dramas. They prefer to watch
dramas on every other thing even Namaz. I would like to share a little example with
you “my own classmates are so much use to watch dramas on computer or live. One
of them saw the drama live twice during 18 days of final examination”. You can
easily access the craze of people about these stage dramas. Men become helpless in
front of T.V. or live stage. They behave just like passive listeners who listen and
laugh widely on the words and actions of the actors. These actions of the actor have
a great value in the mind of audience.

The words of Azan and Kalma have less importance for such addict people. So they
unintentionally refuse the five basic principle of Islam, which are very necessary for a
man to be a Muslim.

They take the man into the imaginary world of dreams where a man can do anything
without any kind of restriction, and man start thinking about the impossible things
which has no existence in real. Man has idea that I am the best than all other men in
the world and I can do everything, nobody can stop me. His point of view changes
totally and he starts saying that he has power to do every thing without the help of
any third body. Such type of thinking has weakened the faith in ALLAH and all the
related faiths. When faith in ALLAH has weakened than destruction of society will
automatically resulted. Ultimately the fear of ALLAH has vanished and man starts
using both legal and illegal means of earning. Man become so much selfish, His
thinking just revolves around himself and he does not bother about the other society
member.

His aim is to capture every thing in this world and use this for only his own benefits.
This reduces the cooperation among the society members and makes them so much
cruel.

This selfish behavior renders him to love young one’s and shows respect to his elder.

As holy prophet (P.B.U.H.) said:

ALLAH is not merciful to whim who is not merciful to people (Bukhari, Muslim)

Our society strongly believes in relationships but this culture use these as a source of
enjoyment, so the element of respect has completely vanished. The very close
relatives i.e. Father, mother, brothers, sisters are the big source of enjoyment for
them. They through jokes on them and insult on the stage in the front of hundred of
people. They compel their sisters to dance and felt prestige happiness while watching
their dance. Although all the relation are temporary in nature but they have used the
word dady, mama, brother and sister while acting in the stage play. These relations
are losing their sacredness and uniqueness. For these people the words, like Father,
mother, brothers, and sisters have no meanings at the stage. They treat all the
people same on the stage during play or drama. There is no body younger or elder in
play all of equal age so they through jokes on one an other with no regard to the age
of targeted person. Some other social relationship is also greatly affected by this
drama culture. All close friends and relatives are then the person who are directly or
indirectly involve in these activities. Father, mother, brothers, and sisters all are
enjoying themselves while working in the play.

Justice has the very secret status in the Islamic society. This is also treated badly by
this culture. They have to make fun of the justice. They have to do their own
decision for the sake of enjoyment of the audience. The ideas they present in their
plays some time induce negative thinking about the rich people of the society. The
poor young people start thinking that there is definitely their right in the wealth of
rich people, so there start a tension b/w haves and have nots which is the major
cause of social disparity. On the other hand they represent the rich people in a way,
which made the rich people more proud who has the thinking that poor people are
only for their service. They show them so much cruel and selfish in character, so
other element of society start hating rich people. In this way the social justice is
disturbed by drama culture.

The veil (Pardah) is vanished near to its completion. The women (mostly the young
ladies) come out of their homes with great degree of fashion. They feel great
pleasure while wearing short and tight cloths. The female come on the stage, they
sing and dance simultaneously in front of thousands of people. The female who have
to wear the veil, use the very attractive colors so to induces evils in the society. Now
a days, female are just like a showpiece that is handled by different element of the
society. As every person use decoration piece according to his choice similarly each
element of society uses the female.

This drama culture is also a financial burden on the society. A lot of money wasted
on this that has no reward to society. Money earned by this mean is not fruitful for
the society b/c this is not a legal mean of earning. The addict people do everything
even theft for watching dramas. The average rate of ticket of the live stage drama is
Rs.150 and people in each theater are on an average 250, which is equal to the
Rs.37500. this huge amount is wasted daily by the citizen on this fruitless activity.
This is a rough estimate of one theater. There is much more such theater in the
country where people spent both money and time . Time is also very important
which wasted carelessly in such activities. The usual duration of the drama is 3hours,
so in one theater 750 hours are wasted. By this you can easily access the loss to the
society by this drama culture.

All the effect that I mention above has very strong impact on the mind of the
children and the teenager. Although the process of changing believes is very slow
but it have everlasting impact. Until we don’t take collectively action to stop this
vulgar culture, it can never be stopped. So we should collectively work to stop this to
save our nation from destruction.

I acknowledge that enjoyment is the part of the life and life becomes so colorless
without this, but there are several means of enjoyment. Enjoyment should be
productive, free from prejudices, lies and all kind of cheatings. Now we should be
care about the norms and values of the society and we should work together for the
sake of these.
http://www.hamariweb.com/articles/article.aspx?id=676

Effect of Drama Culture in Pakistani Society

Posted on: 09/03/2009

Almighty ALLAH said in Quran: (Mafhoom):

Those who are playing in avocation, they are drive towards the hell with a forceful pushing. (Al-
toor;Al-Quran)

HADITH:
“Woe to him who tells lies to make people laugh-woe to him-woe to him”. (Ahmed; Trimdhi)

First of all I would like to discuss “what is the drama culture?” then what are the norms, values and
tradition of Pakistan and then I would move to the major topic Effect of Drama Culture in Pakistani
Society.

So what is the drama culture? By Drama we means that

“Any thing in writing or in acting which make people to laugh or grief or think about certain idea or to
feel the conditions of some miserable people or a clear illustration of the situation by means of
artificially created character and set which is totally imaginary in its creation”.

Actually the writer picturises the situation in words and the actor acts accordingly to make the situation
clear to the reader or viewer of the drama. It is very effective way to convey your message to the
audience.

By culture we means the

“Trends of the people of particular area to celebrate the events of happiness and grief according to the
preset norms, values and tradition of the particular area or reluctance or acceptance in adoption of new
things”.

During the last few years Pakistan adopted variety of things and also abolish lot of things. Adoption rate
is so high than the deletion of things. Examples of the culture are the Punjabi, Sindi, Balochi and
Phatan culture in Pakistan.

Scientifically culture is the particular habitat where different species of animal lead their lives with a high
degree of interdependence. In this culture some animals are powerful while others are weak, stronger
animal dominant the weaker one’s and ultimately they swallow the weaker animal’s b/c animal have no
knowledge and wisdom. But there is an animal, which has knowledge and wisdom but also, behaves
like proud animals, this animal is human being. This animal uses different tools and ways to disgrace
weaker section of the community; kill them, abuse them, scold them, laugh at them, make fun of them
and ultimately deprives them from their native right of universal freedom and compel them to live just to
serve the stronger section of the community. Now the stage drama culture strengthens this process by
introducing different new style and words to make laugh someone and disgrace some others.

This drama culture is totally base on the maltraditions of the society, which are nothing except lie, and
collection of liar people who feel much happy while doing this. This culture also has some traditions to
make other people laugh by telling lie, joking at them, boasting, making unrealistic stories about other,
creation of imaginary writing or acting, the actor are just like the cartoons and the drama is their show in
the dual hand of director producer and public in front of stage.

By the last few years this cartoon culture flourished much, which involved people of every age. Every
body laughs widely on their act and enjoy themselves. The people feel that they are now free from the
bitter reality of the cruel life while watching them. Those who are use to this culture become senseless
and have no regard to the people in difficulty but they claim that they are very sensitive b/c they depicts
the very minute things “which are usually neglected by the society” in their writing or acting to induce
thinking on that point in the society. Infact they have no aim behind this except to attract people’s
attention and accumulate money. This drama culture demolishes many traditions and values of our
society.

Now I come towards the norms, values and tradition of our society. As we all have a knowledge that
Pakistan has more than 90% Muslim people and also Pakistan was achieved on the name of Islam so
on the basis of these strong evidence, I can argue that “Pakistani society as a Muslim society which has
its foundation in Medina Munawara by the Holy prophet (P.B.U.H) at the very beginning of Hijri
calendar”.

This society was very unique in many aspects b/c this was established by Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) and
this was cooperative society, one has every necessity of life but other deprive of that b/c of migration. In
this society, Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) attaches every emigrant (Mahajer) to the local people of the
Medina (Inssar) by one to one arrangements.

In an Islamic society, five things are very basic except these a man can never be a Muslim, so the
Muslim society can never be established. These are the; Faith in ALLAH, Faith in Angeles, Faith in His
Books, Faith in His Prophets, Faith in life after death and every good or bad thing is from the Almighty
ALLAH. These are the basic things, which keep in track the man and refrains him from evils to destroy
the society.

In Islamic society respect, love, affection and fear of ALLAH are the major cocepts, which play vital role
in the success of the society. As there is the saying of our

Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H): (Mafhum):

“He is not amongst us who does not show respect to his elder and not love to his younger”

It is very clear from this hadith that respect and love have special place in Islamic society. When there
is respect of elders and love to younger, there is no disparity in the society. We respect our elder so
much, we give special place to father, mother, brothers, sisters, other relatives, teachers, friends, age
fallows, women and elder people of the society. We give them due respect and fallow them in every
walk of life. These respectable people also guide us; they have great love and affection with us. There
is an emotional attachment b/w we, which is the major factor of building social relationship in the
society.

The most important concept is the fear of ALLAH. This is the fear of ALLAH which motivates the people
to do every positive thing for the well being of the creature of ALLAH and resist him from doing any
thing wrong which affect the society in any way. Due to fear of ALLAH, man prey to ALLAH in such a
way “O ALLAH show me the right path and stop me from doing wrong and make me a man which is
liked by You, O’ ALLAH help me-help me” this shows that man in Islamic society, accepts ALLAH as his
Creator, Master, Helper and Caretaker.

An other aspect of Islamic society is the justice. Social justice, political justice, self-justice, economics
justice and justice in every walk of life. I think, “Without justice life is nothing at all”. When there is
justice, prosperity is there, every person is happy with every other person, so society as a whole
running on the sound footing of trust on each other which derive the social well-being of the miserable
people and give them equal status in the society. Justice play vital role in minimizing social disparity in
society.

Veil (Pardah) is also very important, which is the symbol prestige for women. Due to this female in
Islamic society are very safe. Veil is very important for the whole society b/c it stops a lot of moral evils,
which cause so much complication in the smooth running of the society.

Almighty ALLAH said in Quran: (Mafhoom)

“And remain in your own homes”

Also the word Aurat have meanings of “one’s who live under veil”.

There are five basic principles of Islam (Kalma, Namaz, Roza, Zakat and Hajj). These are the obligation
from ALLAH on every Muslim. These help the people in realizing the existence of their creator “The
Almighty ALLAH” and so many other such respectable things are also there to get calm, peace and
patience by observing them.

Now the “Effect of Drama Culture in Pakistani Society”.

All the things that I had discussed above are affected by the drama culture, some are totally depleted
and some are near to depletion and some others are in threat of destruction. You all are familiar with
the word addiction that means “a person use to some thing” now a day people are addict to the stage
dramas. They prefer to watch dramas on every other thing even Namaz. I would like to share a little
example with you “my own classmates are so much use to watch dramas on computer or live. One of
them saw the drama live twice during 18 days of final examination”. You can easily access the craze of
people about these stage dramas. Men become helpless in front of T.V. or live stage. They behave just
like passive listeners who listen and laugh widely on the words and actions of the actors. These actions
of the actor have a great value in the mind of audience.

The words of Azan and Kalma have less importance for such addict people. So they unintentionally
refuse the five basic principle of Islam, which are very necessary for a man to be a Muslim.

They take the man into the imaginary world of dreams where a man can do anything without any kind of
restriction, and man start thinking about the impossible things which has no existence in real. Man has
idea that I am the best than all other men in the world and I can do everything, nobody can stop me. His
point of view changes totally and he starts saying that he has power to do every thing without the help
of any third body. Such type of thinking has weakened the faith in ALLAH and all the related faiths.
When faith in ALLAH has weakened than destruction of society will automatically resulted. Ultimately
the fear of ALLAH has vanished and man starts using both legal and illegal means of earning. Man
becomes so much selfish, His thinking just revolves around himself and he does not bother about the
other society member. His aim is to capture every thing in this world and use this for only his own
benefits. This reduces the cooperation among the society members and makes them so much cruel.

This selfish behavior renders him to love young one’s and shows respect to his elder.

As holy prophet (P.B.U.H.) said:

ALLAH is not merciful to whim that is not merciful to people (Bukhari, Muslim)

Our society strongly believes in relationships but this culture use these as a source of enjoyment, so the
element of respect has completely vanished. The very close relatives i.e. Father, mother, brothers,
sisters are the big source of enjoyment for them. They through jokes on them and insult on the stage in
the front of hundred of people. They compel their sisters to dance and felt prestige happiness while
watching their dance. Although all the relation is temporary in nature but they have used the word dady,
mama, brother and sister while acting in the stage play. These relations are losing their sacredness and
uniqueness. For these people the words, like Father, mother, brothers, and sisters have no meanings at
the stage. They treat all the people same on the stage during play or drama. There is no body younger
or elder in play all of equal age so they through jokes on one and other with no regard to the age of
targeted person. Some other social relationship is also greatly affected by this drama culture. All close
friends and relatives are then the person who are directly or indirectly involve in these activities. Father,
mother, brothers, and sisters all are enjoying themselves while working in the play.

Justice has the very secret status in the Islamic society. This is also treated badly by this culture. They
have to make fun of the justice. They have to do their own decision for the sake of enjoyment of the
audience. The ideas they present in their plays some time induce negative thinking about the rich
people of the society. The poor young people start thinking that there is definitely their right in the
wealth of rich people, so there start tension b/w haves and have notes which is the major cause of
social disparity. On the other hand they represent the rich people in a way, which made the rich people
more proud who has the thinking that poor people are only for their service. They show them so much
cruel and selfish in character, so other element of society start hating rich people. In this way the social
justice is disturbed by drama culture.

The veil (Pardah) is vanished near to its completion. The women (mostly the young ladies) come out of
their homes with great degree of fashion. They feel great pleasure while wearing short and tight cloths.
The female come on the stage, they sing and dance simultaneously in front of thousands of people.
The female who have to wear the veil, use the very attractive colors so to induce evils in the society.
Now days, female are just like a showpiece that is handled by different element of the society. As every
person use decoration piece according to his choice similarly each element of society uses the female.

This drama culture is also a financial burden on the society. A lot of money wasted on this that has no
reward to society. Money earned by this mean is not fruitful for the society b/c this is not a legal mean of
earning. The addict people do everything even theft for watching dramas. The average rate of ticket of
the live stage drama is Rs.150 and people in each theater are on an average 250, which is equal to the
Rs.37500. this huge amount is wasted daily by the citizen on this fruitless activity. This is a rough
estimate of one theater. There is much more such theater in the country where people spent both
money and time. Time is also very important which wasted carelessly in such activities. The usual
duration of the drama is 3hours, so in one theater 750 hours are wasted. By this you can easily access
the loss to the society by this drama culture.

All the effect that I mention above has very strong impact on the mind of the children and the teenager.
Although the process of changing believes is very slow but it have everlasting impact. Until we don’t
take collectively action to stop this vulgar culture, it can never be stopped. So we should collectively
work to stop this to save our nation from destruction.

I acknowledge that enjoyment is the part of the life and life becomes so colorless without this, but there
are several means of enjoyment. Enjoyment should be productive, free from prejudices, lies and all kind
of cheatings. Now we should be care about the norms and values of the society and we should work
together for the sake of these

http://www.ilmkidunya.com/student_articles/effect-of-drama-culture-in-pakistani-
society-155.aspx

Forum

It would perhaps be ideal to get an ergonomic remote control for all the time
spent watching television these days because you’re not about to find a
quality soap anywhere on a Pakistani channel.

Drama is now on a totally new track with amazingly big budgets, title songs,
overly made-up leading ladies, frequent advertisements in newspapers,
recording spells in the US and huge billboards all across town. Not just that,
for the incurable drama freak there are episodes every single day and if that
isn’t enough, there are repeats. Actors have become producers and producers
have become production companies. Unfortunately, even with so much
happening, there is no substance, no memorable play and nothing that keeps
you waiting with bated breath, your heart racing at every dialogue or the
anxious wait for the next episode.

That was what happened years ago when drama was the strength of
Pakistani television. In the days of black-and-white TV the plays were
excellent. These days we have elaborate sets, expensive designer costumes,
hair and make-up gurus, yet the scripts are so loose and direction so pathetic
that there is no impact of any word spoken and any expression shown.
People in such plays live in boring, predictable situations in palatial houses,
meet in Dubai, get married on foreign shores and get separated in Pakistan.
They forever sit on huge dining tables under humongous chandeliers in front
of covered serving dishes, nibbling and fidgeting with something on their
plate that is supposed to be food. They don’t eat because provision of food
on the set is still a hassle for the production team despite hundreds of
takeaways everywhere. Secondly, their acting skills are so limited that if
they eat they probably can’t deliver their dialogue.
Recordings are done in furnished rented houses so there is no particular
relation between the characters and their surroundings — they are all
innocuously rich and marginally stupid. In short, for all the glam and glitz,
pomp and show, there is no quality in script, direction and acting. It is all
factory, all plastic but the show is on the road. A powerful medium like
television drama is being flogged like a dead horse. Remember the days of
Shehzori, Zair Zabar Pesh, Kiran Kahani, Aik Mohabbat Sau Afsanay,
Waris, etc? There was only Pakistan Television with its four production
centres but drama reigned supreme. Khuda Ki Basti sent chills down the
spine while Aik Mohabbat Sau Afsanay left indelible marks on the public
conscience. When black-and-white television gave way to colour, viewers
were treated to Aik Haqeeqat Sau Afsanay, Teesra Kinara, Dhund, Ankahi,
Tanhaiyaan, Dhoop Kinaray, Aangan Terha, Sitara Aur Mehrunnisa, Dhuaan
and the LTV long plays that tele-viewers would lap up late at night with
Amjad Islam Amjad, Saleem Chishty, the late Ashfaque Ahmed, Bano
Qudsia, Munoo Bhai, Mohsin Ali, Haseena Moin, the late Shahzad Khalil,
Mohammed Nisar Husain (late), etc, creating miraculous and meaningful
drama that gripped viewers instantly. One bonded with the lively or
eccentric characters and lived through these plays. And these are just a few
names that this writer can remember off hand.

So with a legacy like that, what eventually happened? Something very

drastic. It wasn’t that glitzy channels from across the border suddenly stole
all the viewership. Who opened the door that let in the Parvatis, Pallavis,
Tulsis, Kum Kums and their endless crazy circus of nauseating and
treacherous in-laws? Indian and Pakistani audiences, wherever they live, are
now hooked to the daily dose of Balaji productions. Most Indians swear they
don’t dress up 24/7 in saris, bindyas and chooris, neither do we in Pakistan.
So who are these people we have become addicted to on our mini screens?
So much so that they now lead fashions — attire, hair and perhaps emotional
reactions, too.

We sit and watch helplessly however much spice Ekta Kapoor throws our
way. But let’s make one thing clear — the concoction of Indian TV soaps
may centre around daily household feuds, progression of enmities, song
dance and pooja, yet the presentation, art direction and camerawork is
excellent and in a way that it grips the viewers attention and keeps them
pining for more. People don’t leave the house for dinner parties until after
the Star Plus fare is over.

It could have been easier for Pakistani drama producers to pay serious
attention to what was lacking in their productions and start from where
Pakistani plays initially started losing appeal for the viewers. With little or
no training and the bad habit of never fine-tuning anything, they opted to
become copycats instead — if the Indians can do it so can we, and all we
have to do is show sari-clad actresses and get into a plot of domestic warpath
and villany. It seems that as a last-ditch effort to force people to watch local
plays, the ban on Star Plus, Sony and the Zee network has now been
reinforced.

Moreover, big banners such as Humayun Saeed and Abdullah Kadwani may
appear on billboards all over the city but do they really offer the kind of
scintillating, thought-provoking, meaningful stuff that the dramas of yester
years offered? A water-tight script, gripping plot, ace performances and
memorable characters like the villainous Munshi of Fatima Surraiya
Bajiya’s Shama, Beena of Haseena Moin’s Uncle Urfi, Hasnat Bhai and
Akka Bua of Kiran Kahani, Qabacha from Tanhaiyaan, Chaudhry Hashmat
from Waris should be the hallmark of our plays today. In any other case, it
would be sad to witness the death of Pakistani drama.

The olden age of drama saw market places close early for Haseena Moin
serials and for Amjad Islam Amjad blockbusters streets would be deserted.
Did you even know that currently a Haseena Moin serial is running on one
of the satellite channels? And there was a time when Haseena’s lead
actresses used to be worshipped across the nation. So where did we loose
touch with it all?

Sadly, we have become a nation of hypocrites and who prefer to take it easy
rather than work hard, opting for quantity over quality and sweeping
weakness under the carpet instead of addressing them. We spend our time
flattering each other, giving each other awards and lavishing praise for
extremely mediocre work. And when competition comes our way, we
simply block it. There must be enough talent in Pakistan to send Indian
trashy soaps back home so that people would choose to watch meaningful
Pakistani drama instead. The people have a right to choose and it is unfair to
limit their choices.

The dire need of the day is solid script writers who can present a positive,
soft image of our society. That we are Pakistanis and being good human
beings is above everything else. We need to portray liveliness and a positive
approach in our plays with a tight script, light dialogue, stories about people
who exist around us and not about being beaten up in havelis by scary-
looking, gun-toting goons.

We, the viewers, want to see all members of society represented in our
plays, we wants philosophers and peasants and normal people and abnormal
people — in short, Pakistani society depicted as it truly is. We want people
 like Mehreen Jabbar and Saqib Malik to launch talent hunts and bring fresh
faces and talent on screen. As of now, the poor couch potato will concentrate
more on the popcorn because there is nothing to watch on television.

http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showbiz-pakistan/204105-pakistani-drama-dead-or-
dying.html

Pakistan TV Dramas Change Attitudes and Motivate Life-

Saving Behaviors for Mothers and Newborns
PAIMAN works with the Government of Pakistan to implement a multi-channeled approach that includes
mass and traditional media, community mobilization, advocacy, and innovative interventions through Lady
Health Workers, schools and mosques

A woman leaves her husband’s home to protect her unwanted daughter. A husband, preoccupied in his
work, is unaware of the danger signs in his pregnant wife. A new husband experiences a transformation
after the death of his young wife and infant from lack of pregnancy planning and medical care.These stories
and many others in a Pakistan television drama series are changing the lives of women and families.
Produced by the Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns (PAIMAN), the television series is part of an
ambitious program designed to improve home-based practices and increase health service utilization for
mothers, newborns and children. Impact data for the TV series shows that even in the face of difficult
barriers, women can and do act to improve their health and that of their children if they are informed and
motivated to do so.

Background

Pakistan has one of the world’s highest rates of maternal,infant, and child mortality. Of the 4.5 million
women who give birth each year, 15,000 to 20,000 die as a result of pregnancy or birth-related
complications. This is a leading cause of death among women in their reproductive years, accounting for
one-fifth of deaths to women of childbearing age in Pakistan (PDHS, 2006-7). Contributing to these alarming
rates, more than two-thirds of women deliver their babies at home, and of those, an estimated 20% are
delivered by skilled birth attendants. One of the most important underlying causes of maternal mortality is
the low societal status of women, all but ensuring high morbidity and mortality in women and children for
generations to come unless perceptions, attitudes and behaviors are motivated to change.

Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns

With funding from the US Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID), PAIMAN works with the
Government of Pakistan to implement a multi-channeled approach that includes mass and traditional media,
community mobilization, advocacy, and innovative interventions through Lady Health Workers, schools and
mosques. Interventions are designed to ensure that all members of society – especially men – commit to
improving maternal, newborn and child health.

Using Stories to Motivate Change

PAIMAN’s television drama, seen by nearly 13 million men and women (ages 15 to 49 years) across
Pakistan, was broadcasted on the national television channel PTV every Sunday evening between August
and December 2008. Using an enter-educate approach, the drama series aimed to involve husbands in
pregnancy and birth-related decision-making – typically the domain of women; and present pregnancy as a
special time in a woman’s life requiring special care and attention. Each episode examines real-life issues
faced by mothers and families in Pakistan including male child preference, birth spacing, gender roles, social
and cultural influences on healthcare access, family decision-making, and traditional birth practices.
Measuring Effectiveness

Both qualitative and quantitative studies were conducted in Rawalpindi, Sukkur, and Jafferabad districts to
evaluate reach and impact of the TV drama. A local research agency held focus groups with women of
reproductive age to understand the appeal of the drama and messages, and willingness to change behavior
based on viewership. In 2009, a household survey was conducted with 1,894 women of reproductive age,
and 630 husbands and a similar number of mothers in law. When compared to married women who did not
see the TV series, married women exposed to the TV drama were significantly more likely to report on the
importance of prenatal and postpartum care; and state health care facilities and trained providers were their
preferred source for antenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care. Those not exposed were more likely to
state that home was their preferred place for delivery.

Taking Action

More than 70 percent of married women who were exposed to the program said that the series would
motivate people to take a positive health action. Two in five married women said that they had already
changed a health behavior or intended to take action as the result of watching the drama series for seeking
heath care for themselves or spacing births.

TV Drama Changes Behavior Exposure and Likeability:

A total of 35% women respondents who were married and in their reproductive years reported seeing the TV
drama. More than 93% of viewers stated they liked the TV drama. Repeated mention was made of the fact
that the series reflected reality. Participants were particularly appreciative that the dramas used local
language, and nearly 90% of viewers reported liking the series more than other shows on TV.
Interpersonal Communication:

Respondents exposed to the TV drama were asked to reflect on the extent to which they had initiated
discussions on key topics related to pregnancy and childbirth, and also the extent to which others in their
social networks had initiated discussions with them. One out of every three respondents reported they had
discussed the drama with someone, and one out of every four indicated that someone else had discussed
the drama with them.

Take Away Messages

Several common messages emerged from the evaluation as the most memorable among women who
watched the TV drama series. ‘Pregnancy is a special period in a woman’s life and nothing to hide or be
ashamed of’ ‘Girls deserve the same love and attention as boys’ ‘Ensuring the health of their family is a
husband’s responsibility’ ‘Maternal complications can be fatal; it is important to be proactive in treating
danger signs.’ ‘Couples should space their children by 3-5 years to ensure positive health outcomes for both
mothers and children’.
Barriers to Behavior Change:
Through viewer group discussions, the evaluation also assessed the most common barriers to behavior
change among women of reproductive age. Perceptions were consistent cross districts. The most common
barriers included poverty, lack of family upport/family dynamics, and the present societal status of women.
Other frequently cited barriers included patriarchal traditions and norms, and a strong dependence on men.
Many women also cited the negative attitudes of in-laws.
Conclusion

The results of the evaluation indicate that the PAIMAN television series was popular, memorable, and life-
changing. Women who participated in the evaluation said that the drama helped them to consider or initiate
positive healthy actions to ensure better outcomes for themselves and their children. The PAIMAN television
series demonstrates the effectiveness of mass media and the enter-educate approach for changing attitudes
and involving men and families in pregnancy and childbirth-related decision-making. This approach provides
the vehicle needed to explore the complexities of health problems in ways that are culturally acceptable, and
allow the audience to examine their own choices in the context of informed decision making and
empowerment. “We have learnt new things after watching these dramas. I have decided that whether I am
in pain or not I will go for checkups and opt for birth spacing and arrange money for delivery in advance.”
-

http://www.jhuccp.org/node/1149

Indian drama syndrome in Pakistan

1 comment By Filed in Opinions Tagged with Indian Dramas, Social issues, TV July
29th, 2010 @ 8:52 pm

by Faran Ali
“Oh mom! I missed the drama… please tell me what happened today..”
“Shut up!!! Let me watch this drama first..”
Cable TV networks had gained much popularity in almost all Pakistan including small
villages, which give us facility to see many TV channels including Indian channels. As
with passage of time Indian TV drama series are becoming more and more popular
especially in housewives and children. As in Indian dramas they are showing their culture
and way of living which is almost far from our religion. But we are becoming addicted to
these dramas and adopting their culture, this thing is taking us far from our values and
way of living. This is issue is becoming very serious because our new generation is
growing watching their culture which is impacting in a negative way on our society.
Children want to wear cloths like them, want to dance like them and want to do
everything they do. Even parents do not stop them watching Indian dramas knowing that
it is not good for their growing personality.
It is important to promote our own culture in new generation and it is also the
responsibility of parents to guide their children in right way. According to me the
government of Pakistan should take action about this issue and block those Indian
channels in Pakistan which are promoting their culture 24 hours. An awareness campaign
should be started to aware parents about the negative impacts of this on our society
because they are the only one that can stop this in new generation.
What was that interesting was what she was watching. Yes, you guessed it: Star Plus, the
channel which broadcasts all sort of specious cultural values which arent even apparent from
their real lifestyle.

All the dramas seem to be for Venusians, telling them how can they advert jeopardy in their
houses, making them watch Copper (Graphite rather) dreams with Gold on it.

The country where a person can kill his hunger well for Rs. 5/-, where the highly paid
Instructors salary is Rs. 800/-, where there is a shortage of cloth to cover the body not
because of glamour but poverty, where people lives on streets considering those as
permanent homes, all of this is common not exceptional in this country, talks about family
businesses with monthly turnover of Rs. 50,000,000/-. Believe me I am yet to hear amount
less than mentioned.

The financial condition of the country is what is really disturbing me. Pakistan was separated
from India on the basis of Two Nation theory. The theory which every one obliged to, the
theory that stated the cultural or rather religious (Muslim culture is based on their religion)
differences between the two, and demanded separation, being in accord with the theory. I
think that the differences still exist; had they been volatile, the separation wouldnt have
materialized anyway.
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These Indian channels, penetrating so called Indian cultural values in us, which we watch so
closely: the dressing is nothing close to what is done in Pakistan too much glamour in things
has been involved by virtue of which the local channels have to introduce the same effect.

The children are learning to question privacy. Hindu cultural and religious values have begun
to grow in our culture as well. Young children are seen saying Namashkar instead of the
conventional Muslim Salam. Also the factor of feminine love is taking growth (only telling you
my observation after the channels started; women were already mad before this advent with
due respect).

The major disadvantages it can bring you is by spoiling the generation and making them think
irrationally. For example, if a child questions something from those dramas, then are we in the
capacity to answer it. The daughters of this community have been given a wrong dimension by
this cultural war. Its infiltrating in them the vulnerabilities of Hindu women. The censor board of
India has different policies which strictly conflicts with our cultural values. The trouble is that
the ethical education is fiduciary responsibility of a mother, and of course, the mothers are
getting excited with this new adventurism. If the roots get excited like this, I wonder what
leaves we are going to see in the near future.
BIG EGO: How to become famous?

It was by time that the government banned those channels in Pakistan but I dont know why
that ban was abolished; I think that the ban should be re-imposed so the basis of Pakistan can
be kept intact

http://www.thecheers.org/Culture/article_143_Impact-of-Indian-TV-Channels-on-
Pakistani-Culture.html