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MUMBAI: Honouring the best in television is what defines
the Indian Telly awards. As the awards enter its sixth edition
this year, it continues to evolve with the television industry.
And this year the awards get even bigger.
 New
categories have been introduced this year in the technical
category, which means more recognition and honour for people
who are considered as the unsung heroes of television.
And for the awards this year, the jury members have already
given their verdict on who is the best in each category. You
will have to wait with bated breath to know which of your
favourite star, favorite dialogue writer or your favorite
programme have won accolades from the jurors.
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| Cinematographer
Dharam Gulati watching the nominations |
The jury meetings of the programming and technical categories
of the awards concluded on 22 September. It spanned over a
week's time with the members comprising of who's who of television
industry, right from directors, actors, cinematographers,
editors to animation specialist.
The jury for the programming awards category included distinguished
names from the industry like Gitanjali Rao, Ishan Trivedi,
Nitish Bhardwaj, Priya Singh Paul, RD Tailang, Rakesh Sarang,
Rathikant Basu, Rakesh Sharma, Rekha Nigam, Reena Wadhwa,
Sarita Tanwar and Vinod Ranganathan.
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Some
of the jury members of the Indian Telly Awards 2006
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Whereas, the jury for the Technical Awards consisted of Animation
specialist Yunus Bukhari, Film Editor Ashmit Kunder and Cinematographer
Dharam Gulati.
The awards this year has been classified into six broad categories:
THE TRADE AWARDS
Comprising 4 categories
THE TECHNICAL AWARDS
Comprising 22 categories
THE CHANNEL AWARDS
Comprising 10 categories
THE PROGRAMMING AWARDS
Comprising 17 categories
THE POPULAR AWARDS
Comprising 25 categories
SPECIAL AWARDS
Comprising 5 categories
With the television industry witnessing a rapid growth as
a medium of information and entertainment, the jurors have
evoked a mixed feeling about the content and quality of the
program shown on television.
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Jury
members watch the nominations
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Scriptwriter RD Tailang, who has written game shows like
KBC and Khul Ja Sim Sim and was one of the jury members, feels
that the standard of programming and content in Indian television
has undergone a drastic transformation. "I have judged
about ten categories for the Indian telly awards and I think
that awareness coupled with exposure has taken the Indian
TV industry to a higher platform. I have judged Emmys and
I feel that our programmes are way ahead as compared to theirs.
And honouring the best among them is a great step taken by
Indiantelevision.com," said Tailang.
Writer Director Ishaan Trivedi, who judged the nominations
for non-fiction shows on news channels, echoes Tailang's views.
He says, "News Channels are doing a good job, with indepth
reporting. There were some programs which are for the common
people, and for the viewers."
He added, "There are only two award functions honouring
thepeople working in the television industry and the Indian
telly award is doing a commendable job in this arena. A special
mention goes to Anil Wanvari, who is making these awards as
the Emmys of India."
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Director
Rakesh Narang in a pensive mood
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Whereas director Rakesh Sarang says, "There are so many
things happening in the Television industry. News channels
are also diversifying. With innovative ideas and concepts
being worked upon, competition has definitely increased, but
competition of this kind always yields better results."
But at the same time he seemed disappointed with the content
and quality of fiction shows, despite the fact that he has
directed serials like Aashirwad. He says,"The
storyline along with direction and technical inputs is the
same. There is no difference in the treatment. There should
be more innovation in terms of content."
Its not only Rakesh Sarang, also the jury members judging
the technical categories have been disappointed with the quality
and content of programming in television. They feel that there
has been a gradual decline in the quality of programs being
made, which can either be attributed to the growing competition
or the lack of creative ideas.
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Let's
take a break! Jury members having lunch
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"Focus of the program aired on various channels has
seen a paradigm shift. The technicians have lost their creativity.
Editors are no more editors, they are simply machine editors,
the directors are not serious about their work," said
Cinematographer Dharam Gulati.
Gulati however pins his hopes on the churning happening on
the television front with more channels planning their entry.
Ashmith Kunder, who is a film editor added, "India has
a lot of talent. And technical improvisation is the need of
the hour besides the content."
"People have experimented with new concepts and have
been successful. It's not what people want, it's about giving
them what they require," asserted Kunder.
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Animation
specialist Yunus Bukhari in the process of judging
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Yunus Bukhari, who is an animation expert lauded the effort
that Indian animators are taking into promoting the animation
industry, but says Indian animation industry is at a nascent
stage and has a long way to go."Animation is a 60 billion
dollar market with India contributing only 3-5 percent. The
industry not only requires seriousness from the aspirants
but government should also take concrete steps to promote
the industry and regulate software piracy," said Bukhari.
He further added,"Entertainment channels and production
houses are not justifying the content that goes on air. If
you look at most of the programs on air, the storyline is
the same, technical improvisation has been nil and animation
is way behind."
Despite their critical views, the jury members applauded
the Indian Telly Awards for its initiative to honour people
in the industry.
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Indiantelevision.com's
founder Anil Wanvari at work
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The brainchild of Indiantelevision.com's founder Anil Wanvari,
the awards was envisioned in 2001 to honour people in the
television industry and since then has grown with more categories
and more people receiving the awards. What started as awards
for select performances has moved ahead and now covers almost
every category in television. Winners are decided through
a process wherein several jurors go through the nominations
and give their verdict on the most deserving candidate.
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