Sarada of 'Chitti' widely admired

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, NOV. 6. Portrayal of women characters in a stereotyped structure, often in an unbelievable mould and under exaggerated circumstances, received flak at a meeting organised by All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) here today.

A report on the ``representation of women in mega-serials'', released by the voluntary organisation on Tuesday, condemned the representation of women in a stereotyped fashion.

Though there were a few exceptions like Sarada, the lead character of popular serial `Chitti', most characters still subscribed to ``chauvinistic views'', the report said.

The compilation of opinion poll on what 250 women of Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Cuddalore and Tirupur had to say about representation of women in popular serials, `Chitti' and `Vazhkai', was also discussed.

While most of the respondents of the opinion poll had ``admired'' Sarada, the lead character of Chitti for her ``courage and never- say-die attitude'', they also expressed amazement at the amount of patience displayed by Sita, the lead character in ``Vazhkai''. Nearly 68 per cent of the respondents deemed it ``impossible'' to show similar restraint in real life.

Tamil writer Ms. Sivasankari, associated with the production of ``Vazhakai'', pointed out the women characters were often distorted due to commercial compulsions. ``No one wants to portray women in a poor light. However, it is a team work and a single person cannot own up the responsibility of negative portrayal,'' she said.

After critically analysing the report of AIDWA, the speakers at the function, including journalist Mr. Gnani and Media Criticism Crew chairperson Ms. U. Vasuki, stressed the need for censorship for television serials and a streamlined media policy on the portrayal of women.

Ms. Thilakavathy, IG, Police and Mythili Sivaraman, president, AIDWA, also spoke.

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