Books or TV maketh a man?

by Samangie WETTIMUNY

Most of us still remember the bed-time stories our parents narrated to us in their futile attempts to put us to sleep. We may never forget our first reading experience and some of you may still have the first book you read with you as a souvenir. You may still love to flip through its pages... or even read it again. The role played by books to stretch ‘our wings and minds in the on going journey of self-definition and identity’ is always talked of. Only a very few would find watching TV a better alternative. Despite being subjected to much criticism, television too had been a silent educator, over the years.

“You may like others to brand you as an avid reader, but not an ardent television viewer,” says Nawan Perera, an art director. Television is the ‘most faithful companion’ of young Media Coordinator Sachini. “It is the best mode to learn correct English. Language is not static, it evolves every second. By watching TV we can be in touch with the latest developments. It makes learning fun!”, she says. “Books are more conventional, it is only after sometime that books are published using latest developments in language.”

“It is not only ‘language learning’ that is made easy by TV.” Learning Geography from Discovery Channel is more fun than reading a text book on Geography.”

But Sachini’s views are not entertained by the majority. As I put the question to Prof. Emeritus Kusuma Karunaratna she too joins hands with the majority. The former acting Vice Chancellor, former Head of the Department of Sinhala and the Ex-Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies says that she personally finds reading a better habit than watching television. “You can even keep the book with you for future reference and it would never get outdated.”

She finds the younger generation really addicted to TV. “It is wiser if they can spend more time on reading as it gives more knowledge and information.” “It is quite alright to watch TV, but you should know to select what suits you best. No doubt there are quite a few useful programs on TV , that may go unnoticed.”

As she notes most of the teledramas are not of good quality and won’t do much to enrich one’s knowledge. “Mega teledramas do much harm to society than we think. Some housewives are addicted to watch mega teledramas which won’t bring any new thinking to their lives.”

There are teledramas which would drag on for months, or even for years without giving anything substantial to the viewers. They simply want to attract the viewer, so that they get enough commercials to keep it going. Most of the stories are based on extra marital affairs, family problems etc. Some episodes are not at all realistic, but you simply get carried away by the setting, attractive faces, fashionable attire, luxury houses etc.”

Reading a book is different. Do you think that it would ever make a mother neglect her children’s needs and household chores? she queries. Professor Karunaratna is of the view that most of the amateur announcers have not undergone proper training. There should be an effective selection process.

“There are some Sinhala announcers who do not come out with the correct pronunciation. I often see unnecessary use of “Mahaprana” letters. For example they would say “Vishwa Viddhyalaya” without saying Vishwa vidyala. “Recently I heard a person saying “Vidya Gharaya” instead of saying “Vidyagaraya”.

With her decades of experience as an academic she admits that present students are more intelligent and are exposed to the outer world. “But they do not get the best out of it. Very few would bother themselves to do some extra reading. Most of the undergraduates totally depend on lecture notes.”

“A person should get used to reading from their younger days.” It is the responsibility of both parents and teachers. We still remember the bed-time stories our parents narrated to us. Then in future they can do a balanced job, without getting addicted to TV. Parents should always keep an eye on what their children watch.”

But well-known author and medical practitioner Priyanga Zoysa tells me not to label anyone a TV addict depending on the length of time one watches it. “On average Sri Lankans watch TV for a couple of hours. How many hours a person should watch TV is debatable. It is individual preference and is relative.”

But if a person watches TV to the extent of neglecting his/her household chores and if he does not achieve any progress in life as a result then obviously it is problematic.

“Each person should self-question themselves as to what they want in life and should mould their behaviour pattern accordingly. Occasionally a person may watch TV for a long time and it may provide them entertainment, make them relaxed and would give them knowledge.”

“It is relative.” He tells me again. “For a student who is about to sit for an exam, watching TV is not advisable even for one hour unless if it is an educational program. But for an elder who does not have any other

priorities and who has time to spare should have freedom to watch what they want. If a housewife spends almost an entire day watching television without attending to the household chores it is problematic.As long as you do not neglect your duties and responsibilities it is quite fine to watch TV.

“Each person should know how and why he/she should use multimedia. He/she should know to use it to gain what he wants. Unlike many Dr. Zoysa believes that one cannot say reading is better than watching TV without analysing that person’s intention.” If you wish to be a dancer or singer you should watch such programs on TV and observe the movement of popular singers and dancers. But if your immediate goal is to pass an exam, reading relevant books is a must.

Thus it solely depends on what your intention is. So we cannot jump into conclusions and declare reading is better than watching TV!

Anyway he cautions that if a person watches TV to get rid of depression that is not a good sign. “It is better to find a better alternative, ie to seek medical advice! You should not be dependant on TV.

As a laughing doctor noted there are avid fans of mega teledrama who would say that they cannot miss at least one episode. They are so keen to be at home on time so that they can watch it leisurely.” But that is a myth. They can live without it very well. If they get a chance to go abroad or go on a special tour they would miss the entire series. But they would never cancel those things just for the sake of watching a teledrama!