Pakistani Audience’s Perspective on Hindu Mythological Serials

The influx of Indian content into Pakistani culture has not gone unnoticed, particularly in the realm of television. While some Pakistani citizens enjoy popular Indian serials, the cultural and linguistic boundaries make it difficult for them to engage with Hindu mythological serials. This article explores the perceptions and preferences of the Pakistani audience towards these serials, offering insights into their choices and reasons behind them.

Challenges in Adapting to Hindu Mythological Content

The linguistic and cultural barriers in Hindu mythological serials have a significant impact on the viewing experience for Pakistani citizens. Its difficult to connect with the stories and characters as the serials often feature Sanskritized Hindi, a language that is not widely spoken in Pakistan. This makes the narrative less accessible and engaging.

One viewer,.POST1, mentions, 'No very difficult Hindi is spoken in these dramas and ITS seems too fictional for Pakistani audience WE are not used to IT.' This sentiment is echoed in the struggles faced by others who find the language and storytelling style unfamiliar and alienating.

Personal Experiences with Hindu Mythological Serials

POST2 recalls a specific serial, stating, 'I used to watch "sab ka maalik aik". ' Though the popularity of this show is noted, there's a marked difference in how it is received by Pakistani audiences. POST3's response, 'I did once watch Hanuman. Dude that show was full of shit,' highlights a more critical view of the serial, indicating a general sentiment of disbelief and lack of engagement.

Cultural and Religious Considerations

The religious and cultural background of Pakistan is a significant factor in the reception of Hindu mythological serials. While there is no explicit opposition to the content, the indigenous culture of Pakistan often prefers content that aligns more closely with its values and beliefs. POST4 shares, 'If people of Pakistan want to watch Hindu mythological serials they should watch these Indian serials. While is not against any religion. Like in Indonesia a Muslim majority country watches Hindu Mythological shows. I respect Islam religion and their culture. But I respect other religions also. Just watching a film or TV serials cannot hurt any religion I think. It is your choice to watch the serials otherwise not.'

Popular Indian Serials and Preferences

While Hindu mythological serials are not as popular in Pakistan, there are other Indian shows that find acceptance among the audience. For instance, POST5 remarks, 'Yes, we do the serial... The Sanskritized Hindi spoken in these mythological serials is very difficult and is not understood by the Pakistanis. So after watching few minutes they change the channel.' Similarly, others have noted, 'The reason is simple that it doesn’t match with what is taught to us in our textbooks so it becomes a bit difficult to understand and absorb the characters in the serials.

However, some Pakistani viewers do find certain shows entertaining. POST6 shares, 'I havnt heard of that a lot of us dont feel right because of religous concepts and because it gets boring. Though their costumes are interesting. Shows like Dya Aur Baati Hum and Balika Vadhu are usually watched.'

Conclusion

The reception of Hindu mythological serials among Pakistani citizens is significantly influenced by cultural, linguistic, and religious factors. While there is an interest in Indian content, the format and style of these mythological serials often fall short of engaging the audience. Future adaptations and translations may help to bridge this gap and foster a more widespread appreciation of such content across language and cultural barriers.