Indian television has not just gone to the dogs; it’s gone to the pigs, buffaloes and rats. You don’t need to be Archimedes to have your Eureka moment; you just need to switch your TV on. Who would have thought that Indian television which procreated brilliant shows like Circus, Malgudi days and Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai, would today be ruled by the likes of Rakhi Sawant, a bunch of “youth-centric” shows on channels like MTV (Music Television? Irony or an oxymoron?), UTV Bind(ass) and an anonymous voice which calls itself, the “Big Bosssss”.
It’s not entirely these shows who are to blame. They are giving people what they want to see. These shows wouldn’t run season after season without an audience, so I admit, they are a success but in their own perverted way. So is this all what people want to watch today? No, not all have gone senile and there is a sizeable number of viewers who are fed up with the insipid pabulum Indian shows have on offer today.
 |
| Illustration by artist Sagar Arankalle for Bring BQC back |
The “Bring BQC (Bournvita Quiz Contest) back” movement is proof of that. (For those of you who aren’t aware, BQC started off as a radio quiz show in 1972 and later went on to become one of India’s most loved and longest running television shows which went off air a few years back). What started off as a casual page on Facebook for quiz lovers, about 3 months back, is a full fledged revolution today, with a whopping 1,40,000 plus members. These quiz lovers post QnAs everyday and have a blast exercising their grey cells but they just don’t stop with that. They create cool tag lines, badges, banners and post articles to show their solidarity and support to the Bring BQC Back movement. Small but ambitious steps towards their final goal - to get Bournvita Quiz Contest back on air.
Could a Facebook page possibly be able to make a difference? Considering the way the brains behind “Bring BQC back” are going about it, it certainly seems so. They have got in touch with Derek O Brien, the host of BQC, on Twitter and also have had a mention about their movement in the Marathi newspaper, Loksatta. So what’s next? This is what Rahul, an integral part of this movement has to say, “We've met with Mr. Amin Sayani, the 2nd host of the show on Radio and he told us his story of BQC in the early days. He's sort of subscribed to the movement and has even agreed to record for us the 1st question of the day everyday so it kind of interesting”.
 |
Yet another example of the power of online social networking which has managed to bring so many likeminded people together within no time for a common cause. This is just the beginning of a new form of revolution, one of the many we can expect to see in the years to come. So all you Guevaras and Gandhis out there; drop your guns and walking sticks and pick up your laptops and iPads, as the means of a revolution may be changing forever.
BQC holds a very special place in my heart. For years my family got together on Sunday afternoons to eat chicken and watch BQC and I want to do that all over again. I have pledged my support to the Bring BQC Back movement. Have you?
16 comments:
haha.. y is Rakhi Sawant a target in most of ur posts?? :P :P
i used to watch BQC as a kid, atleast whenever i got back home from hostel and jump on the couch whenever any of us knew the answers. Thanks for reminding all of us about the show.!! i quite forgot
and nice post btw !!
Ya actually it was a motivation to study . Even used to get separate editions released in the form of books . THEN after it stopped airing atleast there came a saving grace in the Form of KBC remember only Season 1 Rest all pure bakwasss. Ya true what " ABI " said
More than the motivation it gave to us, it was what it meant to the participants. I remember Derek used to talk about the backgrounds these students came from and encouraging them to go all the way. Wherever the episode was held, the whole participant team was given an educational tour around the city.
Not that these things don't happen at all these days, but it has become more of a PR initiative than recognition of the participants.
Nice post, GOGO. We all should appreciate you for talking various such issues in your blog. I surely have taken inspiration from it.
Hmmm..intellectually stimulating indeed.
by the way for those who didn't know, there's a similar idea that has already paved the way for social quizzing in the form of a twitter account @kweezzz.started by a few passionate quizzers,whom I also happen to know, it now has close to 3.5k followers.quizzing in 140 characters is their tag line and its real fun hosting or participating in a kweezzz.the best part being anyone can participate at any time of the day.kweezzzes are hosted almost throughout the day and interesting to note that derek o brein himself hosts kweezzzes on a regular basis.no prizes, but just for the love of quizzing.they have a facebook page check it out
oh my gosh i loved BQC! sundays were never complete without Derek O'Brien and his stack of quiz cards. we learnt amazing facts, and the entire family enjoyed the show. everyone at school wanted to be part of the quiz - being on tv def didnt hurt haha, and it got everyone to brush up on their GK,and more! i totally support this. neat post!
I remember ppl from my school participated in it.. I do miss it now :(
Well written awareness post btw!
I was on BQC you knw! :D It was the bestest show on the planet! I really wish they brought it back!
@Abi--- coz I absolutely detest her from the bottom of my heart.
BQC was one of those shows that caught the imagination of the elders and children alike. Indian television really needs something like this again.
Oh and thank you :)
@Vinith--- Absolutely!! Do you remember they used to come to our school and have an exhibition of these books? Was such an important part of our lives.
@Pillow cover(if I can call you that)-- Absolutely!!! Derek O Brien was such a great host and he made BQC such a fun experience. It's true...it almost seemed like BQC was a not for profit show and the the children participating were the ones who mattered the most.
Thank you so much. I'm glad you liked it.
thank god people like sarabhai vs sarabhai...i honestly feel its the most genuinly funny series in recent times...and yes
brin BQC back!
@Mink --- Sounds like a good initiative. Need to get active on Twitter first.
@Richa --- Everybody seems to love BQC. Wonder why it went off air then. Totally agree with you. I hope it comes back too. And thank you :)
@Varshaa --- they did...PSBB? Really? :P :P Ha ha just tripping on you. Thank you though :)
@Kritika --- Are you serious?? As in you were on TV and stuff? You really that good at quizzing or what. Damn looks really can be deceptive :P
@Maniac Hunter --- Oh absolutely adored Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai. That's the only Indian television series I have downloaded and watched over and over again.
@Kritika --- Are you serious?? As in you were on TV and stuff? You really that good at quizzing or what. Damn looks really can be deceptive :P
@Maniac Hunter --- Oh absolutely adored Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai. That's the only Indian television series I have downloaded and watched over and over again.
I remember ppl from my school participated in it.. I do miss it now :(
Well written awareness post btw!
More than the motivation it gave to us, it was what it meant to the participants. I remember Derek used to talk about the backgrounds these students came from and encouraging them to go all the way. Wherever the episode was held, the whole participant team was given an educational tour around the city.
Not that these things don't happen at all these days, but it has become more of a PR initiative than recognition of the participants.
Nice post, GOGO. We all should appreciate you for talking various such issues in your blog. I surely have taken inspiration from it.
haha.. y is Rakhi Sawant a target in most of ur posts?? :P :P
i used to watch BQC as a kid, atleast whenever i got back home from hostel and jump on the couch whenever any of us knew the answers. Thanks for reminding all of us about the show.!! i quite forgot
and nice post btw !!
Post a Comment