I HAVE FINALLY FINISHED WATCHING SARASWATICHANDRA (ONLINE!)
Yes I know I'm probably the latest person in the world, but this was a series that I HAD to finish watching. I'm actually quite sad because currently there is no other Indian serial that is aired on television similar to Saraswatichandra. Nothing beats it and I don't think anything else will in the future. If you have no idea what on Earth I'm talking about:
Saraswatichandra was a Gujarati based serial aired on the channel Star Plus, produced by the famous, award winning Sanjay Leela Bhansali who also directed the EPIC film Ram Leela.
The serial is about Gujarati culture, love, family and relationships and is based on the book written by Govardhanram Madhavaran Tripathi. Obviously it has its modern, technological and ideological twists just like the normal Indian serials which we are all quite familiar with (exaggerated and dramatic sound, repetition of sentences, prolonged storylines and of course the overt use of make-up/costumes/jewellery)
But, the reason why I was so allured into watching this serial was because it related to me in terms of culture, character and personality. Being a Gujarati, it is always exciting to see our culture being portrayed so beautifully as it wasn't often highlighted on television channels, but this show managed to do this very well.
The lead actress Jennifer Winget wore some beautiful chanya cholis (Gujarati style skirt and blouse with a chundri- dupatta) and saris made from Kutchi bharat (a traditional type of embroidery from Kutch, Gujarat) - which is also my background image for the blog. You can only get these types of chanya cholis from India as it is IMPOSSIBLE to find them here. Unfortunately even Ealing Road, Wembley, only have a limited version of these. I have looked everywhere. This is one of the reasons why I need to visit India.
The show also highlighted and gave special importance to Gujarati words, food, festivals such as Garba (a traditional Gujarati form of dance) performed not only at Navratri but also at other events, Holi, which is the festival of colours, Makar Sakranti which is the kite flying festival and Janamashtami, which is the day of Krishna's janam (birth) and many more festivals and traditions! This was an all in one show which was simply magical! It's significant to me because the show became a part of me!
A message to the Indian Television Industry: I would really love to see another show related to Gujarati culture!
On a positive note, they need to stop these exciting advertisements on the new series of Siya Ke Ram on Star Plus and Sankat Mochan Mahabali Hanuman on Sony TV because they look too epic. This is something I cannot wait to watch!
Boh Prem,
Jai Shri Krishna
xxx
