Of paths just opened

Before the imposition of emergency, it seemed the growing media enterprise had no holds barred. But these restrictions cannot last too long. They will have to go and let the media take its own course, writes Faras GhaniIt is hardly news that Pakistan’s media industry is rapidly expanding and is in a powerful state (rather, was until the curbs, impositions and blackouts, of which it has been a victim lately). But ever since the government decided to dish out licenses to individuals and private companies to bid for a representation on the broadcasting horizon of Pakistan, there had been a rush to make one’s presence felt.

Thus news, entertainment, music, sports, children, shopping, religion and even culture arrived on our television screens, often in a boisterous manner.

No doubt, it had been a long road: from the time of nine o’clock PTV Khabarnama to news around the clock, from watching cartoons at quarter-past seven in the morning to an unstoppable, often addictive, dosage of an entire variety of animated characters at our service 24/7, from the cherished and eagerly awaited night when our national television station would bless our curved screens with an English movie, albeit from the Mughal days, to Pay-per-View and movies-on-demand, and from Radio Pakistan and the crackling ‘AM’ stations that our grandparents tuned into and over to the various request shows inundating our frequency-world today.

And notwithstanding the emergency, we can safely say that a revolutionary variety in media, especially television has come a long way in the last decade.

However, quantity does not necessarily signify quality. Similarly, with the sheer speed that these private channels grabbed a spot on our screens and in our minds, it gave the audience, the people who decide what should be on the screens and airwaves, not much time to reserve judgment.

There had been a far few rotten apples along the way as well. These victims of our sincerest of abominations are the ones who have inflicted our wrath upon themselves on the basis of a purely unprofessional presentation and sheer lack of standards.

Working in the media industry comes with added perks. The apparent ‘charm’ for the masses serve as rocking reasons enough, but at the same time, it requires toil that is not easy to handle, and with the kind of work that was being churned out, it is no surpeise that experts were not very impressed by the results, be it visuals on televions, or audio on radios, or even what we would come across on billboards, magazines and websites.

Asma Fazil, a student counselor for a media training institute, reckons that there was only one way our media industry was going, and that was up (obviously, this was before the curbs of TV channels). She, however, fully agrees that no media can survice without proper training and facilities and that should be made top priority.

“Although the media and multimedia industry is an expanding field in any country, and one where charm perhaps outshines the rest of the incentives, it is not for everyone. Take designing and advertising for example. You need people with artistic minds, people who are looking to contribute to a field with lots of creativity involved and who can sketch or draw, and people who have attention to detail and not someone who wants a quick result.

“However, even with all the creativity and sketching qualities they bring, we still need to train them. We still need to craft their minds in such a way that they pick up on the concepts, oozing out of them in their everyday task.

“And it is not only the concepts we need to straighten up. While the minds are young, we also need to ensure there is proper awareness. We need to ensure we bring in new ideas instead of copying other people’s work.”

A major point raised in the recent past is the downhill progression of our locally-produced dramas. There was a point in time when our own dramas made headlines with copies of those old-time classics still sitting on a lot of shelves even today. Even the younger generation recalls the story, the twists, the plot and the characters. Where has the trend disappeared now, they ask. Why have we suddenly gone from utilising our brains, our creativity and our ideas to copying what our neighbours are doing and that too of inferior quality.

“Even when these channels were on air, we were not moving ahead with time. We lack the technology, the hardware and and the commitment to match our neighbours. There are plenty of institutions who will train on how to improve the quality of photo, colours, and even the looks of the models, but we are not availing these opportunities.

“Foreign industries are using animations as well as various software in their films. Pakistan, on the other hand, is lacking all that,” she adds.

This is where the need of a proper training and guidance procedure lies. Media houses, private production companies and television channels emphasise the need for properly trained individuals in the industry. Obviously those with the ‘concepts and awareness’ drilled in can mix the creative juices within and come up with appealing presentations, for example, an animated commander on own screens or even the billboards that line our roads, and the websites that Pakistani youngsters have produced.

Nadym Khan, a private producer, is all for the injection of young, talented and trained blood into the industry. “It’s a fast growing field. You come up with something and your message will be delivered throughout the world in no time.

“When it comes to students, it is precisely for this reason that it becomes essential to give them ample work experience as well as on-hand training while they are studying. Theory will only get you to a certain level, but practicing what is learnt in classrooms will ensure the refined material. ‘Student’ who comes out after graduating has the confidence to tackle real world problems as well.

“It takes a lot of hard work. Media is no easy job. It comes with long, often stressful, hours and not a huge pay to start off with, but as long as one’s concepts are clear, there should not be a problem.”

All said and done, why was there a sudden surge in media-related jobs (until recently) and, as a result, an aspiration towards working in the field? One major reason, as mentioned before, is the charm of working in the so-called glamour world, be it television, radio or even a magazine. It forms an influencing factor among peers and a source of respect. But according to a few, it also gave them something different to choose from as not everyone in the world wants to be a doctor, lawyer or engineer.

However, experts are quick to warn newcomers against expecting reaping benefits from day one.

“It is a gradual process, and progression takes time. It should be given the time it deserves,” says Asma. “Speaking about our dramas again, we tend to shoot them and edit them in haste. Eagerness to put them in front of the audience often makes the editors and producers miss out on important tasks that could have improved the final quality of the product and maybe attracted the viewer for longer than it has.”

While advising a hearty dosage of patience and conscientiousness, Nadym reminds students that the world of media does not necessarily stop at a television channel or a radio station.

“There are a number of decent magazines that are being edited and produced locally. With students and professionals picking up new ideas courtesy the internet and exposure to the international world of media, we have seen great improvement in our print media as well. Magazines about twenty years ago tend to stick to the same design and format for eons. In recent years, electronic and print media switched to vibrant colours and new designs, and it is really refreshing to see all the emerging change,” Nadym said.

Speaking on the same topic, Asma pointed out that in the world of multimedia designing, there exist three fields: architecture, character animation, and product modeling. This meant that television, radio and magazines were not the only horizons creativity-aspiring individuals can venture towards. There is a lot of interior design, fashion designing and even engineering aspect of it to cater a lot of students.

However, for all that, there has to be formal training, commitment and a desire to succeed even with all the problems facing the world of media in Pakistan. Experts believe that the tools and hardware required for a delivery is a notable presentation that exists. But above all that we need to use the mind in a required manner.

Media boom all over the world can thank technology for its existence. Having tasted this boom, and hoping for more, it becomes all the more important for media institutes to work on the techie factor, if they want their students to assimilate easily in the work environment. As for the improvement in equipment and formats and an improved cash-flow and advent of technology, it is a task that the individual and the community has to undertake as a whole.

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published in Sci-Tech World (DAWN newspaper) 17th Nov 2007

Fletcher, film stars, fast bowlers

A change of direction
He was on the winning end of an epic Ashes series. He was on the receiving end of an Ashes whitewash. He coached England during a dismal World Cup and hung up his boots straight after. He then delivered stinging criticism of the nation's cricket's heroes in his book. Now, fascinated by the prospect of a sudden change in direction, Duncan Fletcher has decided to try his luck at rugby union.

"The big thing in rugby is changing direction," Fletcher told the Independent. If you can change direction, you've got a one-metre advantage over the opposition, and by the time they've woken up, you've stolen that metre. I find that fascinating." Wonder if there's any such thing as PUI (Playing Under the Influence) in rugby.

Hiding for justice
Imran Khan's change of direction, however, has brought him more trouble in the recent past than good fortune. In the latest instance, the former allrounder, and leader of the Tehreek-e-Insaaf party (Justice Movement), had to go into hiding after authorities surrounded his house wanting to arrest him following the imposition of a state of emergency in Pakistan. A jump over his house wall was what it took Imran to edge past his waiting captors, after which he has been moving around the city of Lahore, voicing his call: "Our aim is to continue the struggle and mobilise the youth of the country from underground."

The hardest hit
The imposition of the emergency was probably the worst thing to happen, in terms of the India-Pakistan series. For a brief period private television channels faced a blackout, resulting in angry cricket fans. It was the cricket betting market in Pakistan, however, that faced the brunt. A series that would otherwise have witnessed a heavy movement of cash, received only lukewarm response thanks to the fallen stock market, the prevailing uncertainty, communication problems, and the channel-blackout which meant that some matches were not available to viewers.

Makhaya strikes back
Makhaya Ntini has retained his position as the most popular South African sporting personality among junior fans even after a rare disappointing Test series, against Pakistan. The 2007 BMI Junior Sporttrack Survey - an annual poll of sports spectators in the 13-18 age group - had the fast-bowler warding off stiff competition from football players Benni McCarthy and Benedict Vilakazi to come out on top. Ntini has also been the most popular sports star on the BMI Adult Survey for the last two years.

Catching the eye
Irfan Pathan's impressive return to international cricket has been heavily praised in cricketing circles. The praise, however, stretches far beyond those circles - as was borne out when a former Miss India and Bollywood star, Sayali Bhagat, who once proposed to Rahul Dravid on TV, confessed her fondness for the Indian allrounder.

Pathan, it seems, is not the only one catching the eye. Sania Mirza, Asia's most popular tennis star, was present at the second ODI between India and Pakistan, apparently being charmed by... Shoaib Akhtar. "I like watching Shoaib Akhtar," Mirza said. "He is fast and aggressive and these are key qualities in a sportsman."

Shunned
Shahrukh Khan may just have been India's lucky charm at the final of the ICC World Twenty20, but his presence was deemed unnecessary and a recipe for crowd trouble by the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) for the third ODI at Kanpur. The UPCA apparently advised the BCCI not to invite the Bollywood superstar to the ground, since it was going to be hard enough to control the crowd, what with the presence of government ministers and the like. Oh well, Chak de India anyway.

And before that happened...
At Chandigarh, after the second game, a few members of the Indian team went to the cinema to watch Om Shanti Om starring, ironically, the same Shahrukh as above. Ones paying homage to the great actor included MS Dhoni, and Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly with their families.

Yuvraj Singh, meanwhile, drove around the city in his sports car attracting fans, while Shoaib surprisingly turned up at a much quieter venue: an orphanage in Chandigarh where he played cricket with the children.

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 12th Nov 2007

Down to the wire

Pakistan and India have a habit of scripting thrilling encounters. Cricinfo looks at ten of the most exhilarating duels between these two teams, games that will be remembered not only for the close finishes, but also the excitement and entertainment that accompanied all through


1st match, Four-nation Cup 1985, Sharjah
India 125 beat Pakistan 87 by 38 runs
A formidable Indian batting line-up was left in tatters by the pace and swing of Imran Khan. He dismissed Ravi Shastri leg-before off the first ball of the match, and had three of his victims caught behind, proof enough of his unplayable bowling. A target of 126 was always within Pakistan's reach, even though they lost their first wicket at 13. However, a double collapse saw them go from 35 for 1 to 41 for 5 and then from 85 for 6 to 87 all out. Kapil Dev, after scoring a dogged 30, proved Pakistan's nemesis with the ball, and captured 3 for 17. Sunil Gavaskar chipped in with four catches, three of them breathtaking.

Final, Australasia Cup 1986, Sharjah
Pakistan 248 for 9 beat India 245 for 7 by 1 wicket
Perhaps the greatest of all ODIs between the two countries, if only because it is the one that first comes to the mind of fans of either country. It will forever be remembered for the last ball of the match, with everything that preceded it - Kris Srikkanth's aggression, Gavaskar's 92, late wickets by Wasim Akram and Imran to restrict India, and even an unbeaten century by Javed Miandad - all swept aside. Chetan Sharma did manage three wickets in the match, but his last delivery, off which Pakistan needed four to win the tournament, was pulled mightily over midwicket and over the boundary by Miandad to spark wild celebrations after an unlikely last-wicket victory.

2nd ODI, Pakistan in India 1987, Kolkata
Pakistan 241 for 8 beat India 238 for 6 by 2 wickets
A Srikkanth century inspired the home side to a respectable score, and after Pakistan collapsed to 174 for 6 after a 106-run opening partnership, they needed to score at almost 10 runs an over. Saleem Malik, batting at No.7, tore through the Indian bowling, sharing a 50-run partnership with Akram in which the bowler scored only 3. Smashing 11 fours and a six, including five fours in an over off Kapil, Malik's 36-ball 72 carried Pakistan home with only three balls left.

Quarter-final, World Cup 1996, Bangalore
India 287 for 8 beat Pakistan 248 for 9 by 39 runs
A charged-up encounter with a World Cup semi-final spot for the taking received a jolt when Akram, Pakistan's captain, pulled out minutes before the toss. With Ajay Jadeja smashing a 25-ball 45 - Waqar Younis was hammered for 40 off his last two overs - and Navjot Sidhu lumbering his way to 93, the balance had shifted in the favour of the Indians even before the reply began. Although Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail flayed the Indian attack to start off, Sohail's loss of temper and temperament as he tried to assert his authority over Venkatesh Prasad, combined with the batsmen's lack of application saw them succumb to pressure. Anil Kumble and Prasad grabbed three each as Pakistan perished, failing to put together reasonable partnerships.

Sahara Cup 1996, Toronto
Pakistan 266 for 8 beat India 264 for 6 by 2 wickets
Pakistan's decision to field first, based on their strong bowling line-up, backfired as Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Azharuddin added 161 for the third wicket. Akram and Waqar went wicketless, while Jadeja once again smashed a few towards the end. Although Anwar scored a 78-ball 80, wickets tumbled regularly, and at 221 for 8, India looked all set to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Malik (70 not out) and Saqlain Mushtaq (11 not out), however, added 44, and Pakistan scrambled home on the penultimate ball of the match, from Sunil Joshi, which Malik, playing with a twisted ankle, cut past point.

Sahara Cup 1997, Toronto
India 182 for 6 beat Pakistan 148 by 34 runs
A disastrous start to the innings saw India slump to 23 for 3 in seaming conditions against a less than threatening Pakistan attack. A brief recovery by Azharuddin and Co. made for a somewhat respectable 182. It should have been a comfortable target for Pakistan's strong batting line-up, and at 103 for 3 seemed just that. That was when Sourav Ganguly's medium pace was brought on. Utilising the conditions, and Pakistan's frailty against the moving ball, Ganguly snapped up five wickets - all caught - as the last seven wickets went down for the addition of only 43 runs.

India's tour of Pakistan, 1997, Karachi
India 266 for 6 beat Pakistan 265 for 4 by 4 wickets
Karachi lived up to its billing as a batsman's paradise and attacking seventies by Shahid Afridi and Inzamam-ul-Haq enabled Pakistan to post a competitive score (though the innings was cut short due to crowd trouble). India looked set for an easy victory until panic struck, resulting in the loss of four wickets for only 26 runs, two of them run-outs. Saba Karim and Robin Singh consolidated, and when Saqlain, economical till then, went for 33 in three overs, a win seemed in sight. As the ball was changed yet again in the final over, Saqlain was hit for a six by Rajesh Chauhan and India sealed victory.

3rd Final, Independence Cup 1998, Dhaka
India 316 for 7 beat Pakistan 314 for 5 by 3 wickets
Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed scored blistering centuries and Saqlain grabbed three wickets but India still managed to lift the Independence Cup courtesy a Ganguly century and supporting knocks from Sachin Tendulkar and Robin Singh. It wasn't easy, though. India, at one stage 250 for 2, slumped to 281 for 5 at the hands of Saqlain. A further two quick wickets followed, and in the end it was left to Hrishikesh Kanitkar to strike a boundary in fading light off the penultimate ball of the match to seal the win.

1st ODI, India's tour of Pakistan, 2004, Karachi
India 349 for 7 beat Pakistan 344 for 8 by 5 runs
A strong batting display, especially by India's top order, built a mammoth 349 - the first 200 of which came in only 25 overs. However, a brave fightback by Pakistan, after losing their openers cheaply, took the game right down to the wire. Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam and Younis Khan all played their part, but Inzamam's dismissal left Pakistan requiring 72 off eight overs. The lower order failed at the last hurdle to keep up with the required rate, and Moin Khan was unable to "do a Miandad" off the last delivery.

4th ODI, Pakistan's tour of India, 2005, Ahmedabad
Pakistan 319 for 7 beat India 315 for 6 by 3 wickets
Another strong batting display from India on the back of a Tendulkar 123 and a late cameo from Yuvraj Singh led them to a 300-plus score, as Pakistan bowlers toiled in batting-friendly conditions. A blistering opening partnership between Salman Butt and Shahid Afridi laid the foundations of a strong reply, but with wickets falling regularly, India were still in with a good chance. Inzamam, however, provided a calm figure in the middle as others perished around him. With three needed off the last over, he blocked the first five deliveries before slashing the last one for a four to round off a remarkable chase.

© Faras Ghani 2007
Published on Cricinfo 4th Nov 2007