Question

Article on portrayal of women in indian tv serials

Answer 1

Women wearing expensive saris, decked from head to toe in gold, holding a thaali containing fruits and flowers and praying sincerely for the welfare of their husbands and his family. This is the typical portrait of a woman in Indian Television (TV) serials; a perfect wife, perfect mother and perfect daughter-in-law who showers love on all her loved ones and is an icon of purity and devotion for the audience.

Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kasauti Zindagi Ki, Bhabhi, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, Saat Phere and countless other serials are created to reinforce the stereotypical image of an Indian housewife. Each serial portrays how an ‘ideal’ woman should behave when myriad responsibilities are foisted upon her, be it in maintaining the happiness of her household, taking care of the children or running the family business. Our much loved ‘bahu’ is expected to deal with everything thrown at her with a smile, while handling herself with the aplomb of a professional. If the woman is allowed to work, her character is that of a vamp, who tries to steal the leading lady’s husband or children. She is shown as a modern, stylish woman who is always scheming and plotting the downfall of her protagonist. Be it the submissive daughter-in-law or the malicious husband-stealer, these women are represented as the epitome of strength and determination. It seems like the producer is trying to reinforce the gender stereotype present in our society, ostracizing those woman who choose to be recalcitrant and chalk out an independent path for themselves.

Even in regional TV serials, the highly feminine aspects of a woman’s personality are extolled. The Malayalam serial ‘Stree’ has acquired cult status in Kerala, watched by an audience ranging from 8-year-old girls to 80-year-old grandmothers. When the serial portrayed the protagonist, Indu, as a feminist who was bold, stubborn and independent, it caused an uproar and led to the director of ‘Stree’ having to change the personality of his character to that of a more quiet, submissive and sacrificing woman. Tamil TV serials portray half of their women characters as sufferers who often break under pressure, thus enforcing the age-old stereotypical view that women are generally weak and need to depend on a man for everything. They even perpetuate the view that it is good for women to accept any mistreatment that she may be subjected to, by her husband, his family and maybe even by the society. The remaining women are typecast as evil and abusive characters who hire bullies to settle scores.

Answer 2

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The present study entitled “portrayal of women in television (TV) serials” was conducted with a view to ascertain the responses of men and women regarding the image of women in TV serial and to study the impact of these serials on them. The sample comprised of 120 respondents which consisted 60 men and 60 women purposively in the age group of 35-50 years. Women portrayal of TV is one of the contentions issues surrounding the media today. The modern images of the more liberated woman are not the image of the contemporary Indian women. it seems that sex-stereotyping is more deeply woven in to the fabric of television soap operas does not depicts the reality of women’s role in society, for a variety of different reasons, including the illusionary characters, the concentration on domestic and personal issues. It has been seen that women are portrayed in stereotypical, often fashionable way and never as an intelligent, confident and emancipated women.

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