Punjabi antenna
A fair contest
Randeep Wadehra

A participant at last year’s Miss Zee Punjabi contest

Culture evolves with changes in the socio-economic and political environment. That is why yesterday’s cultural practices become today’s heritage. And, it’s essential to preserve it so that succeeding generations may get some idea of how their ancestors lived.

One such attempt is the Miss Zee Punjabi contest. In its previous avatars Punjabi mutiars certainly looked fetching in the traditional finery while they picked, sifted, winnowed and ground grains using traditional implements like chchaj and chakki. Like its earlier editions, we hope the present one will keep the tradition alive. True, in real life rural Punjabans aren’t heavily decked up while doing domestic chores, but who said that beauty contests are reality shows?

Kebab Corner’s an interesting show and Chef Devinder Kumar’s capable of holding the viewers’ attention with his culinary as well as communication skills. However his young companions, whether kudi or munda, are awkward talkers. Obviously they’re not sure when, what and how to comment and maintain the show’s flow. It’s always advisable to groom the youngsters before pushing them on to a major platform. Talking of youngsters, Anirudh Sharma, who anchors Ridka on Road, has shown remarkable improvement. In the recent London episode, it was pleasant to notice that his former awkwardness and superfluous gestures have been replaced with self-assurance. If he continues like, this the lad has a bright future.

Now that elections are looming large on Punjab’s horizons, new television channels are sprouting like the infamous parthenium shrub. Already about seven prospective Punjabi news channels are scrambling for a share in the not so sumptuous regional pie. Most of these channels are being run by non-serious fly-by-night operators. Their modus operandi is simple. They apply for licence. Pending decision, they begin telecasting, and run ads for news reporters. The ‘selected’ reporters aren’t paid any remuneration. Instead, they’re asked to cough up hefty amounts and collect (extort?) money from those who feature in their reports. No wonder these channels fold up within a short span of time. Although such rackets have been quite common in other parts of the country, in Punjab this is a recent phenomenon. There’s a dire need for preventing unscrupulous elements from giving the media in general and Punjabi media in particular a bad name.

As for the so-called entertainment channels, the less said the better. The Punjabi television scene is refusing to brighten up. Lack of vision and commitment on the part of TV channels is allowing mediocrity to proliferate.