Between identities

There is no dearth of portrayals of women as victims in the media. The book under review looks at how 'woman' has been constructed as a positive sign, capable of realising her inner potential for constructive living, says SEETHA SRINIVASAN.

THE need to empower women and project positive alternative images or roles and change negative attitudes towards them is enshrined in the National Perspective Plan for Women 1988-2001, and this book is an emphatic contribution fulfilling this current need. It describes and evaluates comprehensively and objectively how woman has been constructed as a creative and positive sign in Doordarshan's "Manaimatchi" programmes telecast in 1990.

Till recently, the print and mass media have high-lighted the "woman-as-victim" sign. Positive representations have been more or less underplayed. This "thesis-book" centre-stages and underscores the latter - the "empowered-woman-sign-construct" - a much-needed projection of the contemporary woman who can utilise her potential for self-actualisation and identity formation in the changing social and cultural scenario.

One hundred and thirty "Manaimatchi" (Women and Home) programmes of Doordarshan form the near-complete primary source material for this in-depth, authoritative and interesting study. With the current boom in women's programmes, and serials insistently focussing on the woman-protagonist, the book is a highly relevant and meaningful document on the status of women. The content and analysis bristle with possibilities of newer insights as almost every channel has a special women's programme slot now.

Though the book is concerned with the day-to-day projections of woman in her varied roles, which at times may be stereotypes, the appeal of the analysis lies in its common sense and brilliant objectivity. The author eschews any kind of sentimentality. Balancing theory and reality, real life situations are commented upon, viewing woman as an individual capable of self-realisation in her own right and not through gender-sympathy or societal support. What gives her the identify-boost is her own "inner potential for constructive living".

The "thesis-book" has six neatly organised segments which are presented in an eminently readable style. The appendix gives a complete documented list of all the Doordarshan women's programmes that were telecast in 1990. The bibliography is a useful compendium for reference and future research, especially as both reveal the researcher's meticulous attention to detail.

The theoretical framework, creatively adapted from Barthes, Ficke and Hartley, combines semiotic theory and media techniques. The opening chapters lucidly explain the parameters of the integrated approach. The "text" is broken into concept fragments - 18 such components have been identified, each of which explores woman's relationship with a specific situation. Here, the author addresses the dilemma of dual identity in its significant features as source, manifestation, resolution and reassertion. The verbal and iconic signifiers are presented in the titles cards at the outset and are elaborated in the programmes. Throughout, the author cites historical reasons for the inferiorisation of women and tries to break the "myth" of female oppression especially with the increasing numbers of women in today's work force. She cites this as a major reason for the dilemma of dual identity.

The core chapters of the book are chapters four and five. They constitute the "bulk" of the study and are characterised by a wealth of accurate factual details which are examined thoroughly with the help of research tools. It is here that "popular" media programmes have been transformed with meaningful, thought provoking and relevant life orientations by the intelligent, sensitive and perceptive analysis. The interpretative authority is difficult to challenge or question, such is the range, variety, accuracy and objectivity. The programmes include the gamut of women-related subjects - child, welfare, rehabilitation of marginalised women, consumer rights, law, marriage, education, career, women leaders - it's almost a kind of "name it, you have it", in DD's repertoire. It's almost as if Doordarshan's "Manaimathchi" is the beacon light for the other channels.

Throughout the argument, the comparative method, through the use of parallelism, juxtaposition and cross-reference is used. The style is fluent, marked by ease and grace. The print is easy on the eye, the cover page somberly attractive.

The conclusions are viable: dual identity dilemma is inevitable, it is cyclic, with natural and acquired roles co-existent and making for the new identity-affirmation. A book that is recommended for women's studies centers and for Doordarshan to see itself in a new light and offer enriched programmes. Flaws if any, may be overlooked as this is a posthumous publication, undertaken in memory of the author by her family.

Dual Identity Dilemma: Doordarshan Woman-Sign Construct, Dr. Nirmala Chakravarthy, For private circulation only.

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