Wednesday 22 March 2017

Paper:15 Explore each TV Genre

Name: Zarna Bhatti
Roll no.: 5
Paper no.:15 Mass Communication & Media Studies.
Topic name: Explore each TV Genre
Submitted By: Smt. S.B.Gardi Department of English MKBU




Explore each TV genre
Television is one of the major medium of mass-media. There are a large number of people who cannot read or write for them television is useful tool. It gives us the knowledge about all around the world. There are so many main or sub genre of television; it helps to people for gaining knowledge in different ways. First of all let’s understand the meaning of genre.
What is the meaning of genre?
Simple meaning of genre is kind, sort or style. Genre is the term for any category or literature or other forms of art or culture. For example: music, any type of discourse (written or spoken) (audio or visual) generally it is a category of artistic composition as in music or literature, marked by a distinctive style form or content. Genre is come from French genre means “kind” or “sort” from Latin genus and from Greek genos. Genre began as an absolute classification system for ancient Greek literature. Genre including or involving other forms as well because it has special characteristics. There are many types some universal genre and other sub genre are also there.

Television genres are different from them; here are some major types of television genre.
TV genre: 1) TV news 2) TV documentaries 3) children’s programs 4) talent hunt show
5) Reality show 6) religious programs these are main genres of TV there are some other sub genres also.
Other sub genre: 1) sports channel 2) cookery show 3) wildlife 4) game 5) music 6) fashion program etc. It was included with main genre and these are known as show.
Now let’s deeply discuss each television genre in detail.
1. Animated Television program:
Description: Work created by recording a series of still images, such as drawings, objects, or posed people; when played back, the static images combine to simulate motion, creating the impression of movement.
For example-
Rocky and Friends/The Bullwinkle Show (1959-63)
The Flintstones (1960-66)
2. Television comedies
Description: Fictional work for television, normally running a half hour in length, which creates humor around the lives of a cast of recurring characters and the "situations" in which they find themselves. Generally, regardless of what happens in any given episode, the characters remain in the same relationships and position as they were before, and much of the humor derives from this predictability. The characters seldom change, and react in an expected manner to whatever challenges them, and generally the overall tenor of the shows is upbeat, expecting a happy, satisfying resolution. Everyday life is often an important element, and as a result, although the setting could be almost anywhere, most situation comedies are set in the home or workplace. 
For examples-
I Love Lucy (1951-61)
The Honeymooners (1955-56)
The Andy Griffith Show (1960-68)
3. Detective and mystery television programs

Description: Fictional work in which a detective (sometimes merely an endangered individual forced to "detect" for his own self-protection) attempts to solve a crime, usually a murder or theft. The detective may be an amateur, a private investigator, or a plainclothes member of a police force. Emphasis is placed on the search for clues and rationative power of the detective, rather than the efforts of police or lawbreakers. 
For example-
Perry Mason (1957-66)
Columbo (1971-77, 1989-93)
The Rockford Files (1974-80)
Moonlighting (1985-89)
Twin Peaks (1990-91)
X-Files (1994-02) CID etc.

4. Documentary television programs
For documentaries originally released as feature films
Description: Nonfiction work defined by documentary pioneer John Grierson as the creative treatment of actuality. Grounded in some aspect of real life, documentaries may vary from a very deliberate account of facts to an extremely interpretive rendering of a subject, advocating a particular viewpoint on a political, social, or historical issue. In documentaries, actuality should still be dominant over the creative treatment, which, while often staged for the camera, should not go so far as to be dramatized for emotional impact and belong to such genres as historical films or propaganda. Documentaries may include re-enactments, such as showing the movements of armies, or brief scenes of individuals and dialogue, but do not include films that merely use a realistic technique in telling a fictional story. (tv genres)
Television history or works of literary writers which is broadcasted on television it is known as documentary. There are two types of documentary i) short documentary and ii) long documentary. Long documentary also known as film or documentary film.
5) Reality show


Descriptions: reality shows means a television show in which members of the public or celebrities are filmed living their everyday life or undertaking specific challenges. It is one of the most significant program developments of the new century though the genre is in fact nearly as old as the medium itself. Reality show are another popular form of TV but it has many negative sides also and most of the reality shows have been controversial at some extent, there are so many reality shows which broadcasted on television. 
For example- Big Boss, Khatroo ke khiladi, Survivor etc.
But now a day’s glamorous shows are more popular than simple or truly realistic on that I found one article from internet while searching; article is about “reality” of the reality shows, title of that article is- Reality or vulgarity: Government should take action on such content. In that article many negative sides of reality shows have been reflected that how people used each other or how money becomes everything or harsh reality of such kind of reality shows.
6) Talent hunt show:



Description: a  talent show is an event where participants perform talents of singing, dancing, acrobatics,acting, drumming, martial arts, playing an instrument, or other activities to showcase skills. Many talent shows are performances rather than contests, but some are actual contests. In the instance of a contest, participants may be motivated to perform for a reward, trophy, or prize of some kind. (Talent show, 2014-2015) In recent times talent hunt shows have become a notable genre of reality television. Talent show have been critical in capuling some artists to stardom and resulting in their successful careers. There are many talent shows broadcasted on television which are many famous for almost decade and they are running so many seasons. Talent hunt show is very important because of that person learn something and it also be necessary for person’s “inner talent” so talent show is one medium through which one can be learn so many things.
For example- Indian idol, India’s got talent, Dance India dance, India’s Raw star, Jalak Dhiklaja, Boogie woogie.
These all shows about performer’s singing, dancing and other abilities through which performer learn how to perform or which type of ‘inner ability’ he/she have.
Main thing is about talent hunt show: that talent shows can be seen as a way to help boost the self-esteem, confidence and assurance of youth. Some communities see talent shows as a way to help prevent delinquency among children, teens and young adults.
Talent hunt show would provide a platform for talented, active or advanced learner or performer.
7) Cookery show:

Description: a cookery show is another famous genre of television that presents food preparation in a kitchen studio set. Typically the show’s host often a celebrity chef prepares one or more dishes over the course of an episode, taking the viewing audience through which viewer know that how to prepare different food or dishes. Cookery show taking the viewing audience through the food's inspiration, preparation, and stages of cooking. Such shows often portray an educational component, with the host teaching the viewers how to prepare different meals, but some (such as Chopped, Iron Chef or Junior Masterchef) are competitions that are primarily for entertainment. 
While rarely achieving top ratings, cooking shows have been a popular staple of daytime TV programming since the earliest days of television. They are generally very inexpensive to produce, making them an economically easy way for a TV station to fill a half-hour (or sometimes 60-minute) time slot.
A number of cooking shows have run for many seasons, especially when they are sponsored by local TV stations or by public broadcasting. Many of the more popular cooking shows have had flamboyant hosts whose unique personalities have made them into celebrities. (cooking show) 
A number of cooking shows have been run for many year especially when they are sponsored by local TV stations or by public broadcasting.
For example- Flavors of Gujarat, Chopped, Master chef, Ready steady cook, Rasoini Rangat.
Even cookery show is also another form of self learning and self improving show through which person who is interested in cooking especially woman learn how to cook so it is one of the most famous and informative genre.
8) Religious show:

Description:  list of the greatest religious broadcasting shows also includes pictures from the shows when available. Popular religious broadcasting TV shows have been a staple of television for years, so there's often debate about what the most entertaining religious broadcasting show of all time is. It is very popular genre of television. There are so many channels and in that so many religious channels are telecasted on television twenty four hour; main purpose of this type of channels is that one believes in God.
Because of that type of shows people believe in God, and believing in God because it changes your whole outlook on life and religion and can make people so devoted to the religion they change the way they live or their life. There are so many arguments about God’s existence. And many people who don’t believe in God’s presence at that time religious shows or programs can be helpful, it can be work like torch in darkness. Believing in God or not it is different from person to person but one of the problems is that; 
Are religious shows or channels can be truly broadcasted? or Is there any reality shown in the religious shows? or Is it right to playing with people’s emotions only for the name of God or any religion?
We may say that most of television religious programs or channels only broadcasted for their benefit. There are dozens of religious channels are telecasted on TV but it will not at all helpful to viewer.
9) Wildlife show:

Description: The wonder or wildlife show is a rare opportunity to see a variety of unique and exotic animals from a very different perspective. Caretakers are interacting with these fascinating animals. We often think of animals in basic survival terms, but in different shows that are shown animals are also part of society. Wildlife shows are not only intimate, informative but it will educate and inspire successive generations about the wonders of wildlife.
For example: Jungle hut eatery, Creature future, Tiger splash, Giant snake show etc..
  Many channels like; Discovery or National Geographic channels are providing wildlife or animal shows, wildlife shows are giving information about unknown animals their life style and other things.
10) Talk show or chat show: 
Description: A talk show or chat show (as it is known in the UK) is a television programming or radio programming genre in which one person (or group of people) discusses various topics put forth by a talk show host.[1]
Usually, guests consist of a group of people who are learned or who have great experience in relation to whatever issue is being discussed on the show for that episode. Other times, a single guest discusses their work or area of expertise with a host or co-hosts. A call-in show takes live phone calls from callers listening at home, in their cars, etc. Sometimes, guests are already seated but are often introduced and enter from backstage. 
Gay Byrne, Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson,Dick Cavett, Ed Sullivan, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres, Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, and Mosunmola Abudu have hosted notable talk shows; in many cases, the shows have made their hosts famous. Talk shows are more popular in other countries than India. There are several major formats of talk shows Breakfast chat, Sunday talk, late night talk shows. (wikipedia contributors "talk show", 2015)
Late night talk shows are especially significant in the United States. In Indian television Coffee with Karan and that type of talk shows are famous or well known. Talk shows had been broadcasted on television since the earliest days of the medium. So it is also informative genre. Because of that general people came to know about celebrities their life style and other things as well.
11) TV news:



Description: news channels are common thing for any uneducated people also because it is very famous form of television. News channels provide complete live coverage of national or international news, business news, breaking news etc. There are different types of news. So news is one of the most famous, popular and informative genre of the television. It instantly gave information about all over the world, without that it also provides information or gossips of bollywood, cricket, football, politics, entertainment, sports, life-style news.
All type of information telecasted on television news channels because of that person gaining some informative thing. There are half a dozen of news channels with different languages which are broadcasted on television 24 hour. And it reaches everywhere so illiterate person can also came to know that what is going on in society. Many Gujarati, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, English, Sanskrit, Marathi or many other languages’ channels are telecast on TV. Many of them are providing instant news.
For example: NDTV, Live TV, CBS news, News 24, BBC world news, Star sports, CBN 7
These all are famous news channels which telecasted daily and provide minor information to the viewer. Sports news is sub genre of television news in that all type of sports activity shown. If it is about cricket, hockey, football, tennis, golf, chess, wholly ball, kho-kho, kabbadi or even match results and announcements of different games. Those who are interested in sports with the help of sports news they gain interests and knowledge about their area of interests. TV news is large form of television platform in that many genres can be included.
Conclusion: genre means kind or type in any literary form there are genre, Steve Neale stresses that “genre are not systems, they are processes of systematization” 
Furthermore David Buckingham argues that “genre is not simply “given” by the culture; rather is  in a constant process of negotiation and change”.

A genre defines a moral and social world, indeed a genre in any medium can be seen as embodying certain values and ideological assumptions so television genres are useful tool to gaining information in a different ways or directions.


Tuesday 21 March 2017

Female Character in "The Swamp Dweller"



Name: Zarna Bhatti
Roll no.: 5
Paper no.: 14 , African Literature
Topic Name: Female Character in “The Swamp Dweller”.
Enrollment no.: PG15101005
Submitted By: Smt .S.B.Gardi Deparment of English MKBU




Female characters in Swamp Dwellers:

Probably to me the greatest singer, female voice, is Billie Holiday. And one of the most moving for me, I don't know why - maybe it's nostalgia, maybe because my life is one of constant partying, whatever.
- Wole Soyinka (Brainy Quote)






Wole Soyinka is the first African writer who is awarded with Nobel Prize in 1986. He is basically Nigerian play writer and poet. Soyinka was basically born into Yoruba community and here also he try to depict the norms and regulations of his community. In this play he focuses on the problems of the youth of his time. Even today and during his time we can see the influence of the first world countries on the third world countries. He tries to bring those issues in his writing. The young people wanted to leave the village and the community and wanted start a ‘New’ life in the city. His one of the notable work is ‘Swamp Dwellers’, in which he discuss this issue at length.

Even the title of this play is very significant one. And as Derrida use to say that each and every word has free play of the words. Here also we will find the different free play of the words or particularly the word ‘Swamp’. Swamp means where nothing can grow. Here ‘Nothing can grow’ is also connected with the mental states, means new ideas. This shows the disturbed and fragmented mind set of the youth. The second meaning of the word swamp means the ‘City’. Where once someone goes never comes back. Swamp is a kind of muddy place where we cannot create a particular impression of a thing. Here Soyinka tries to give negative connotation to the word ‘City’.

“The Swamp Dwellers” by Wole Soyinka is placed in dackward village of Nigeria in the Delta region. But the character of the play often have important interaction with the town life. Because we can see the young man went for the city life because they have to hope and desire. So, called the “Gift of Colonization”. Here, we can say that,

“All Temtation in whole the world”.


We can compare this play with T.S.Eliot’s ‘The Waste Land’ where nothing grows and which also tries to depict the disturbed and fragmented psyche of the youth. At some extend this play is also absurd play like ‘Waiting for Godot’ and ‘The Birthday Party’ because as audience we are not provided the full information of the past of the characters. What next happened to the characters is also not much clear in the play. Throughout the play we can see the struggle between the tradition and the modernity because village and city these both are the opposite pillars and each represents one. But apart from this we can also see many other conflicts like the generation gap, fragmented mind set, and the suppression of the female in the male dominated world. Black are always considered as the inferior to the white people. Soyinka himself face many problems while writing and that is why it is said that when a black is writing he will never bring the change into the society rather he will try to change the mind set of colonizers with aggressive mood.

When black are writing their voice becomes the voice from the margin and white people are at the centre. And here also if we apply the theory of Derrida then we have to change the margin and periphery. White people at periphery and black people at margin. The same way women at the centre and the men at periphery.
Makuri says “There wasn’t a woman anywhere more faithful than you.”
Alu: “I never had a moment of worry in the whole of my life.”
These are some lines taken from the play ‘Swamp Dwellers’. Alu and Makuri are the husband and wife and they have twin sons named Igwezu and Awuchike. Apart from there is also another important character named as Desala. She is the wife of Igwezu. As above mentioned that this play is much like ‘Waiting for Godot’ and ‘The Birthday Party’ and that is why the past of the characters are not much clear in front of us. We come to know only as the play moves forward.





Alu:
 Alu is the wife of Makuri. She is the mother of Igwezu and Awuchike. She is aged about sixty. She believes in the custom of the swamps. (Sites) . If we study the character of Alu then we come to know that she is the suppressed woman by his own husband. His husband Makuri always tries to feel inferior to Alu. Alu is like other female characters ordinary woman who lost her one child in the swamp means in the city and now she don’t want to lose his other child in the city. She always tries to fulfil every wishes of his husband as well as his sons. Sometime she also fight against her husband for his sons. So here we can compare the character of Alu with Mrs Ramsay in ‘To the Lighthouse’. She is faithful to her husband and to her duty. And that is how she emerges as the perfect woman in front of reader’s eye.
As already said that the one of the main theme of the play is the conflict between the tradition and the modernity. The play writer has depicted this conflict through the characters also because here Alu stands for the traditional mode of the time. She is against the current changes of the society. Because she was not in favour to send his sons to the city. We can say that she was denying may be because of her motherly love towards her sons.

Throughout the play Awuchike never comes on the stage but he remain present through the talk of the family. Alu use to remember him a lot. Because when he went there, in the city he was the different person and now he is the different person. From the talk of the Igwezu we can assume that he is now the successful person there and not intended to come back to his village. But as above mentioned that we can’t say anything about any character of the play.
Igwezu: “Awuchike is dead to you and to this house. Let us not raise his ghost in this house.”
Whenever his mother used to remember Awuchike, Igwezu used to speak this lines. From this lines we can also see the rivalry between this twin brothers. There are glimpse of everything not a single thing is clearly said by the writer. This lines also suggests the success of Awuchike over there in the city.

Desala:




Throughout the play she never appears on the stage like Awuchike. She married to Igwezu and went with him to the city but unlike him she never return to the village. This again indicated the modernity. As I above mentioned that play writer showed the modernity and traditional way of living the life through the characters also. Here Desala stands for the modern way of living the life. Again from the given fragmented information we can assume that Desala went there with Igwezu but there she married to Awuchike. May be because he is more successful than Igwezu there. Or there are other possibilities like Igwezu leaves all alone there in the city. The things are not much clear. But the chances of her marrying to Awuchike is more because whenever Alu heard about this she is not ready to accept the reality that Awuchike kicked his own brother. At some extent Desala becomes the reason for the rivalry between both the brothers.

But on the other hand we also can’t blame Desala because as a young girl when she married to Igwezu she also must be having some young dreams for her life and when she tried to fulfil all her dreams she is also not wrong. When Kadiye asks Igwezu about his wife Desala he becomes a bit angry upon Kadiye which shows that now he doesn’t care about Desala. From this point we come to know about Desala and Igwezu that may be something went wrong between this husband and wife.
The story is not unfolding ordinary in front of our eyes. The things are also not much clear about anything and which also shows the mental state of the characters. And because the things are not much clear in front of our eyes we have to relay much on the language used by the play writer. It is said that whenever from the margin, from the periphery the voice comes it is always harsh and aggressive here also the voice of Alu and Desala is much harsh and aggressive but unheard by the society.

Conclusion:

We can say that Soyinka is the bitter critic of his own time and culture. He depicted his culture as it is. He also present the negative side of his culture. Directly or indirectly through the character of Desala we compare the twin brothers that who is powerful?

And the relationship between Makuri and Alu is also broken one. Which also shows that females are the victim in the marriage system. Sometimes it also happened that Alu becomes so aggressive when Alu says that ‘Catch me if you can’ which again shows the power of the females. Alu emerges as both the way strong enough as well as weak enough that she don’t want to lose his second child. And Desala also emerges as both the way modern enough and independent enough to take her own decisions. And here we can say that no one can help each-other because at different level each characters are victim, and one victim can’t help the other victim. 
Works Cited
Brainy Quote. 2001. 18 3 2016. <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/w/wole_soyinka.html>.
Site Google. One Heart. 21 03 2016. <https://sites.google.com/site/theswampdwellers/home>.