Saturday, April 10, 2004



Punjabi Antenna 
DD’s dolorous show


Popular serial Goonj goes off the air 

DD Jalandhar was inaugurated on April 13, 1979. So, we’re into its silver jubilee year. And yet, there’re no celebrations! Why this mournful silence when, at least, the Kendra’s past telecasts have been admirable? Memorable telefilms like Karmavali, based on Amrita Pritam’s story, and Chhawain Di Rutt (season of spears), depicting terrorism, as well as unforgettable serials like Lafafi, Raet Di Ikk Mutthi and Parchhavin should be enough to trigger off dhol beats to the chant of chakk de phatte! Among its other achievements, Chunni and Sanjha Choolha, though in Hindi, had typical Punjabi flavour. DD Jalandhar has kept aloft traditional folk arts. Its repertoire comprising songs, skits, serious drama, movies and current affairs has been impressive indeed.

As if a dolorous DD is not enough, Panchkula’s monopolistic cable operator has arbitrarily switched off the channels telecasting news like DD Punjabi, Punjab Today and Alpha Punjabi. Is it something to do with the elections? Would the authority concerned, if there’s one, look into the matter?

The two children who anchor Kakka Nikki Time (ETC Punjabi) are cherubic, chirpy and childlike. And, to hear them mouth nasty dialogues that should belong to a married couple suffering from the proverbial seven-year-itch, is offensive. If the kudi comes off as a nag, the munda sounds like a sour henpecked guy. The songs too are not for kids’ ears, or eyes. Worse, a barely eight-year-old Sarabjeet does bhangra to the tune of a corny love-song. To top it all, the guest, ‘uncle’ Vikramjit Singh Sahni, praises the show sky high! Am I being too judgmental, or have values changed radically?

Director Darshan Rahi’s popular serial, Goonj, is off the air (DD Punjabi) after 26 episodes. In different stories, a scientist and his team of rationalists fight forces of darkness comprising politicians, religious leaders and officials with vested interests bent upon exploiting the gullible by perpetuating such social evils as child sacrifice, superstition etc. Hope it’s revived.

Eye-catcher

Dr Ranjit Sharma, who plays arch villain MLA Shanti Prasad in the megaserial Sarhad (Alpha Punjabi), is an actor, model, lyricist, writer, and an ayurvedic physician too. After debuting as a Bollywood hero, he chucked up the glamour world for his studies. An award-winning actor-dancer since his student days, he was signed as hero for Kante Aur Phool by director Kedar Sharma.

Since 1986 he’s done several plays like Dastan-e-Shab and Imtihan. He did the double role of Lakkha Shah in the immensely successful Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Simariye, which was staged in 28 cities of North America. He was Gen. Dyer in Tootan Wala Khu, and enacted diverse roles in Hindi and Punjabi serials like Vichora, Patake Tha, Rano, Shikanja, Do Akalgarh etc. He’ll be seen soon in Jwaar Bhata & Aulad (Alpha Punjabi). He’s essaying a comic villain’s role in the forthcoming sitcom Khaadda Pitta Barbaad Kitta (DD Punjabi). He was the villain in movies Door Nahin Nankana and Insaf Punjab Da. His other films are Hawain, Jee Ayaan Nu and the national award-winner Mein Maa Punjab Di.

— RW

ye-catcher

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