Guest guest Posted June 26, 2007 Report Share Posted June 26, 2007 Reality TV discovers religion at last Jeremy Page Delhi June 21, 2007 [off topic, but I couldn't resist] Think of it as Pop Idol meets Songs of Praise - only set in an Indian ashram. Aastha, the leading religious television network in India, is to introduce a reality TV show, based on the global Idol formula, in an attempt to reach out to a younger audience. The show, tentatively named Religious Indian Idol, will be an interactive musical talent contest between teenagers from universities and religious colleges. Instead of pop tunes, they will perform devotional songs from the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain faiths. The backdrop for the show will be a typical ashram scene - a group of religious students sitting under a tree by a river - rather than a TV studio manned by a celebrity anchor. " The basic concept will be similar to Idol, but the entire look will be very traditional, " Kirit Mehta, the 52-year-old founder and chief executive of Aastha, told The Times. " There's a huge amount of talent out there. We want to create awareness of the soothing effect that devotional songs can have on people. " The show illustrates the growing appeal of reality television in the country, where Indian Idol, a version of Pop Idol, was screened for the first time in 2004 and is in its third series. [....] Mr Mehta said that he hoped his new show would attract a younger audience to Aastha, which is broadcast via cable and satellite in India, the United States, Britain, Canada and several Asian countries. [....] http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article19 63986.ece or http://tinyurl.com/38ht89 Original source: indiantelevision.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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