Pattimandram

When I think of pattimandram - I remember coming back foggy eyed from all the matapu/patasu session on deepavali day. We settle down on the sofa to finally savor all the mouth-watering snacks while pattimandram starts on TV! This was the first reality show (those days) with a good dose of humor intertwined with incidents in the daily life of the common man - A big deviation from the Goundamani-senthil combo jokes in Tamil movies of that time (People never made jokes about their lives/marriage but they enjoyed watching it - Glad times are changing!).

So, do I enjoy pattimandram now - Not really! For one - Marandum Virandum alzhavathan sapidanum - When it happened once a year it was nice, different, refreshing. When it happens all the time - It's commercial money-making nonsense at the expense of common people - Don't be surprised if you see Pattimandram telecast on Valentine's day. Coming to the topics - Can't someone think of a refreshing topic than kadhal kalyanama, arranged marriage..a - Maybe the organizer thinks its fun to keep beating the dead snake. Of course, I don't get to watch other channels in the US so I can't comment about other better discussion/debate shows in non-sun TV channels. Looking beyond the topic- This Raja guy was interesting in the beginning but he tries very hard to somehow reference the most happening song/movie/news into his speech with or without reference - No wonder he has a huge fan following. I, personally, am a huge fan of Bharathy Bhaskar- She is diplomatic, opinionated, and gives Raja a run. In one of the pattimandram shows she says: How can you say men don't talk too much- Aren't we seeing Raja? - That was classy! I do like Solomon Pappaiya - I like his village slang like Enna Iyah etc but his verdicts are always politically correct which I don't always appreciate- To deviate is good and so is change. Would I give anything to watch pattimandram live in Madras - Yes, Any day!
Happy Pongal & Happy New Year