SIGHT & SOUND
Cruel game of talent hunts
Amita Malik

Some of the most popular shows on TV, since they can lead to fame and fortune, are the musical contests which are held by different channels. One of the best was Indian Idol, where a real star was discovered in Abhijit Samant, who now performs in public and for albums as to the manner born. But there is something very distressing about the present talent hunts, which I intend to highlight this week.

Some years ago, I had the privilege and honour to serve as an adviser on the Union Public Service Commission when they were selecting candidates for the IAS, IFS and the Allied Central Services. Before the selection sessions started, we were given a briefing by the chairperson, who was an eminent retired civil servant. He said our aim should be to put candidates at ease and not harass them by being severe or make them feel nervous by shouting or being sarcastic. And, we all respected this instruction and, indeed, made allowances for candidates who were nervous or tongue-tied. I wish this instruction was also given to the juries which judge the contestants for music competitions.

Karan Johar: A kindred spirit

These juries at times consist of highly respected classical musicians, the real gurus of Indian music. And, one notes that they behave with dignity and never come down heavily on candidates. But this is not the case with those musicians who come from the filmi duniya. One or two of them also come dressed up to the nines in fancy kurtas with glittering embroidery which the lights pick up. The way in which they sit gives enough room to the candidates to touch their feet reverentially. These musicians sit back arrogantly, unlike the real gurus. But what is most distressing, and I feel is the worst kind of torture, is the assessment of each candidate, especially of those who have not made the grade.

The more arrogant judges tear them to pieces in front of their fellow candidates and lakhs of viewers. And they do so in a most cruel way. Just one instance: There was a girl who sang with a lot of verve and obviously enjoyed it. So one sarcastic judge, of course from the filmi duniya, said to her: "You have a lot of confidence. You should not have so much confidence at your age." An astounding bit of criticism. When should one be confident if not in one’s youth and isn’t it admirable to be confident in front of high-level judges? The inquisition which follows the performance makes the candidates stand anxiously with tense expressions, or they are seen hanging their heads with anxiety while they are told how they went wrong in the most unkind terms. Several candidates break down and start crying. One boy, who had come from a small town or village, cried pathetically on screen as he wailed: "My parents will be so disappointed. How can I face them? My whole village was backing me." My heart bled for the lad.

One honourable exception in the last show I watched was Karan Johar, who was invited as a host. Karan, being young and obviously a gentleman, praised every candidate (and none of them was a bad singer) and said: "You were fantastic", or something equally soothing. He said at the end: "I think each one of you whether you won or lost, has the capability to be a good playback singer in films and I am sure you will all soon be famous." This brought smiles to the tear-stained faces. I think it is time the producers and channels make music talent hunts enjoyable fun sessions and not prolonged sessions of torture.

For the first time, Zee Sports telecast the Afro-Asia cricket series. The good thing was their choice of the panel, which made comments before, after and in-between play. Tina and her colleague Padam are professional sports jockeys who knew their subject, unlike the noodle-strap models and minor actresses we have seen so far. Tina looked chic in her clothes and make-up but did not attempt to be sexy. Instead, she concentrated on the game, was brisk in giving pride of place to the two genuine experts, Kapil Dev and Waqar Younis, who treated her like a younger sister.

Padam and she pointedly talked less, did their own job of anchoring and left the expertise to the experts, who complemented each other admirably. But Zee did very badly with ads because they brought in an ad just after the last ball of an over, sometimes not even letting viewers know what had happened — in one case there had been a run-out. Also, they let the first ball of an over be bowled before barging in. This is unforgivable. Clearly there should be some method, in the absence of self-control by channels, by which advertisement should never intrude on the game and treat viewers with such contempt.