Editor,
sun tv and the tamil magazine Kunkumam.
1. What
promoted you to journalism..?
I was drawn into journalism
at a very young age at 13.It is a kind of a reaction to my reading habit then.
I was keen to write but hardly had any guidance at that age. I was also told
that I am too young to be published. But the eagerness to express myself prompted
me to launch a manuscript magazine when I was 13. From then my flair
for journalism grew with me. At 30 I became an editor for a full fledged magazine!
2.. "Pen is mightier
than Sword". How much truth do you perceive in this proverb from your
experience?
That is an old adage. Now
' mouse' is mightier than the bandikoots. Of course, I mean the computer mouse
and political bandikoots
3..
What is your thrust/focus as an Editor?
My objectives as an editor
had always remained the same, wherever I have discharged my responisibility.
They are the dictums set by poet Bharathi. They are: Puthiyana Virumbu'
( aspire for new - ideas, writings, viewpoints) Sarithiram Therchikol (
Master the history) and Thesaththaik Kaaththal Sei ( Defend the country)
4. With so much craze
for westernisation, does it have any impact on the tamil readership quality?
I don't want to make any qualitative analysis,
as ' quality' is a subjective term but agree that readership has changed considerably.
Westernisation has opened a few windows. It introduced us
to new forms of writings in early 20th century and to new themes later. Free
school education introduced in mid sixties revolutionized the reading habits
in Tamilnadu. A new generation of readers ushered in. But in the subsequent
periods, with the arrival of primary education through English as the medium,
we have lost this crop.
5. With Sun TV
being part and parcel of each and everyone, the messages delivered are the most
effective. Still 80%of the programme revolves around serials and Movies.
Don't you think concentrating on inspiring talk shows and well motivated programmes
can change the mindset of the people for better?
Television is a gift
of technology rather than a social product like print media. It has its strengths
and limitations. Before satellite televisions were launched, in India we
had the monolithic, government controlled TV, which was bureaucratic
in nature. It was highly Delhi centric and was promoting brahminical culture.
Hardly there was any room for counter or alternative culture. To cite an example,
Ramayan and Mahabharat were serilaised for years and Silapathikaram has
to wait.
This mileu positioned
satellite televisions at the other end of the spectrum. When they were born
they became more entertainment and film centric. In the last 10 years Sun
Tv has bloomed into a bouquet of 10 channels and each one is dedicated
to one theme. Sun Tv is a channel for serials, KTV for films and Sun News Channel
for news and current affairs. This segmentation offers options and
variety to the viewer and has strengthened all the
dimensions of the media.
6. It has become a fashion
to invite the cine stars to the political power. Both fields being tow
different poles, if elected, how much effective can their roles be served?
Democracy, is a system that
offers equal opportunities to all. No one can rule the people with out their
concern, in a system of democracy. And film stars, if they fail to deliver,
they will be ousted out of power. In Tamilnadu, in the past MGR era no film
star could make it to power. Many of them, Mr.T.Rajendar, Mr.Bagyaraj, even
Sivaji Ganesan, were not able to run their own political parties. Even MGR's
widow Mrs.Janaki Ramachandran, is no exception.
Now a days we see the
films of super stars, whether it is Mr.Rajanikanth or Kamal Hassan flop
in box office in the absence of a convincing story line. Baba and Alavandan
are examples. All these show that the people
are discerning and it would not be easy for a film personality to walk in to
the corridors of power, simply availing their film popularity.
7. What are your views
about the of tamil language and its progeny in Singapore...........
.
Tamil in Singapore has a glorious
past and it will have a glorious future. Its now time to acquire a modern outlook.
An intellectual approach to language would help more rather than an emotional
approach. Instead of wearing Tamil on sleeves is just as an identity, now Singaporeans
have to handle the language as a tool for intellectual expressions.
Singapore has all the potentials
to become a cyber hub for South Asia, and Tamils must avail this opportunity.
Internet can be used foster the language in many ways, namely, web archiving,
web publishing, and teaching and Singaporeans must avail this opportunity
to their best. .
8. What do you think
is the important quality for a journalist?
In the profession of journalism
one will come across the darker side of the society and it people more often
than others. A journalist have to remain positive minded. Other than this
the most needed qualities are commitment, objectivity and fairness to all views.
9.
Your advise to the youngsters who aspire to become a journalist..........
If you scroll through history,
you will find that all great minds had been a journalists. Mahatma Gandhi was
a journalist. Jawaharlal Nehru founded the national Herald. Marx published
his own paper. Bharathiyar was the youngest editor Tamil has seen so far. Periyar,
and Anna were journalists. Kalaignar still writes for Murasoli every day. Come
and join the club!
