'Depict Hindu culture in its authentic form'

Taking some present instances into count, in which popular Hindu culture was dubbed the other way, the Hindus world over have urged Brazilian popular TV soap opera makers to depict “authentic Hindu culture”.

Pointing out some episodes of “Caminho das Índias” (A Passage to India), which propagates Hindu culture in South America, US-based Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement, has urged the television show makers to do thorough research before presenting Hindu culture.

Zed, who is the president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that Hindus were happy that Brazil’s largest TV channel “TV Globo” was propagating Hindu culture, but they need to focus on the real accounts of Hindu religion and culture, and not merely the imagined version focusing just on audience ratings.

He also emphasized on watchful depiction of religion and culture on television, as according to him, TV was a forceful medium and it could create stereotypes in the minds of some audiences. So, it is vital to handle faith/culture related subjects very carefully, Zed stressed.

Zed, too, urged TV Globo to conduct workshops for public by experts on Hinduism and Hindu culture in cities of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Brasilia, Recife, Manaus, and Port Alegere.

Hinduism, with about one billion adherents, was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly, he said.

Broadcasted since January 19 last, this soap opera is one of the Brazil's highest-rated programs. It has created a stir with its record audience rates. It is love story showcasing India’s culture and lifestyle. Directed by Roberto Carminati, Frederico Mayrink, Leonardo Nogueira, Luciano Sabino, Marcos Schechtman, its estimated budget is reportedly about BRL 1,000,000.