There was a time when Pakistani teledramas were very famous. They made people sit down at home without moving an inch from their place to watch them. The roads were empty during their telecast. The writers, directors and actors associated with these plays were highly respected and those dramas were highly anticipated and famous. But this is a story of a time long gone.
These days, the present Pakistani dramas don’t have that kind of quality and everlasting appeal. The stories are weak, the actors are repetitive and the playsbecome glamorised to a large extent and have chosen style over substance and, last but not least, they have become far removed from society and are not a true depiction of it.
There can only be one way to improve the quality and that is to invest in talent and media education. It is a good thing that many universities are now offering degrees in filmmaking, television and theatre.
Even though there arent many organisations that nurture such talent (and that too with government patronage), the Alhamra Arts Council in Lahore and NAPA in Karachi are doing a good job. But even there activities are few and far in between and leave much to be desired.
Theatre, television and film are very democratic medium due to their wide outreach and public appeal. We should try to develop these mediums such kind of programs which educate people without hurting any social and civic sense.
MUNAZZA SAMAD
Lahore
