ISLAMABAD, April 10: Although deep rooted linguistic, cultural and historical links exist between peoples across the national borders in South Asia, the region has experienced a proliferation of international mass media in the last decade
, especially after the advent of satellite and cable television.
In the same period, many cross-border conflicts intensified and mass media played a significant role in hostile imaging of other nations and cultures.
Much airtime has been devoted to specific national political agendas, which highlight divisions and differences in the region as is evident in the conflict between India and Pakistan.
Realizing the need for alternative cross-cultural representation in South Asia for television viewers, a forty- minute documentary starring Urmila Matondkar, Resham and Shamyl went on air Saturday night on PTV after Khabarnama.
The documentary also visualizes a song by the Fuzon boys, "Deewaney."
Promoting peace through youth and pop culture, the documentary that goes on air this week does not aim to "gloss over cultural and national differences," but treat them as seen through the eyes of main characters in their capacity of cultural brokers or bridge makers.
A joint production of Huma Mustafa Beg, managing director Serendip Production and India's top ad agency director Prahlad Kakar, the documentary, titled "Moving Closer", is an attempt by the young and determined from two of the most conflict-ridden countries in the South Asian region - India and Pakistan.
It is the first of the 13-part documentary series that examines what it means to cross cultural and political borders in South Asia. The team will travel to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka for the production of the rest of the series. For each part of the series, a film team follows one main character travelling from one country to another in an exploration of regional popular culture, be it music, Bollywood films, gastronomy, festivals or sports. The aim is to create a series that highlights South Asian identity as expressed in popular culture and in the minds and hearts of individuals contributing to that cultural formation.
Moving Closer is a young people's contact series that aims to break down barriers and bring people together through pop culture and projects Urmila as an ambassador of peace. Some of the most noteworthy aspects of the programme are that one gets to know where Urmila gets the strong emotional bonding with the people of Pakistan.
"Urmila Matondkar arrived with a spirit that was incredible. Her exuberance and motivation began to rub off on all those involved in this historic and momentous series," recalls Huma Beg. "There was not a single person who did not have a tear in the eye as the two sides came together at the Wagah border, the starting point of a process that is perhaps long over due," adds Ms Huma cherishing the experience.
