Comments on: Talent Hunt Epidemic

By: smudgal

smudgal — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 18:44:43 +0000

Harsh ji,

From what I have been told about the format of the show, it requires the mother to not only sing in order to try and save her child, it could involve several other kinds of dares. I am told the original show called Mamma Mia, for which Star has bought a license, has horrifying dares where mothers spend time in a pit full of cockroaches and lizards. Fortunately, these aren’t the kind of dares that mothers on this show are expected to perform.

However, to answer your question, I think this is a game show, and if the mothers accept to be a part of it as conscious, thinking adults, then there is no point sympathizing with one or the other mother who is unable to sing. I think it has to be taken in a sporting spirit, and not be treated as if it is a make or break situation.

Since I am a mother myself, I was asked by the producers if I would perform a dare for my son (who is in any case not participating in the show) just to cheer on the mums. I refused because I am not comfortable with such antics, and neither would my son have been comfortable. And no one could force me to do so. The mums in the show had the opportunity to say no, and still do. They should exercise that choice if they wish to.

By: Harsh Parekh

Harsh Parekh — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:01:58 +0000

Shubhaji,

How does it feel to judge a talent hunt where the format of the show requires a mother to sing in order to save her child. Do you think there is a reasonable nexus between the talent of a child and conviction of the mother to save her child ? What happens to children born to mothers who have no ear for music ? Isnt the competition harsh on those kids ?

By: Chitrangana

Chitrangana — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:13:52 +0000

It is not a space for the learned and the wise. Theirs is just to work quietly in the peace of their “Aranya”. And if they weep their “aranya-rudan” does not reach the ears deafened by frenzy in which the “flesh, fowl and fish commend all summer long” because India is no longer a country of the yore. Along with material goodness has crept in a moral, intellectual, emotional poverty that keeps them engaged with their TV sets and ipods. Even when institutions like http://www.omenad.net organize academic activities that concern the future of arts the citizens in this age of information stay curiously unconcerned. There was a time when the talented Eklavya hunted for Guru, today it is the Kurus who pronounce one as talented. In this “Andha Yug” who dares speak?

By: roop

roop — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:13:29 +0000

i couldnt agree more shubha di.
Music reality shows are used as a platform merely to promote and publicise films, make money through ridiculous voting systems and judged by obnoxious film stars who are busy displaying their insensitivity.
A case in point being the talented Aneek dhar. Full marks to him for not losing his nerve when salman khan ripped his shirt off. One seriously wonders why the organizers of the show don’t object to such crude behaviour. No one- not even the mentors objected. Dear salman probably forgot that he was gracing a contest where the careers were at stake. All dignity was dispensed with as salman made a laughing stock of himself as well as aneek- and the poor child was made to sing without a shirt.
Which actually makes me wonder what the point is of getting these stupid film stars to ‘judge’ such shows when none of them have the faintest idea of music. Oh yes- the promotions…the programme is used to promote forthcoming movies which is forced upon by the channels which in turn makes it hilarious. Can you imagine a sajid khan commenting on the finer nuances of music? i

Doesnt anyone realize that these participants are roughing it out away from their loved ones, rehearsing all day, exhausted from performing at small towns and colleges to promote the show and garner votes while most of these shows are actually done only to promote the channel and NOT to promote the artistes. The poor kids are trained to give the appropriate sound bytes- the programme heads are clearly not the decision makers here but the channel is…and after the nail biting, anxiety ridden shoots that last for endless hours, the kids are subjected to irresponsible comments by arrogant and ill informed films stars.
To add insult to injury, not only do the respected mentors allow such exhibitionism but also indulge in mock fights and mud slinging quite openly.
Their manner of judging also is dispassionate and almost unkind at times.
Gone are the times when artistes like Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Hariprasad chaurasia Zila khan, and even Naushad saab graced these shows and touched many hearts with their compassionate and gentle guidance. Artistes like you are rare didi, as are the above and we need you. To gently guide and educate us and let the youngsters breathe in the fragrance of the music, which helps us understand ourselves, understand the divine and liberates us.
many pranaams,
roop malik