In the age of stump microphones, slow-motion lip reading, and ICC penal codes for racist slurs on the field, Pakistan’s pioneer sports channel has come up with an unbelievable series promo.
The private sports channel’s teaser for the upcoming India-Sri Lanka cricket series defies belief. As video clips showing Sri Lankan cricketers in action are screened, the soundtrack is provided by an old Hindi film song, the lyrics of which are: ‘Hum kaalay hain toh kya huwa dil walay hain.’ That roughly translates to, ‘so what if we are black, we are hearty sportsmen nonetheless.’
The promo pretty much leaves me speechless. In an age where tolerance, diversity, and respect are the grandest ideals, who in their right minds could go to such an extent? I wonder if the channel’s legal advisers (if there are any) or cricket experts (of which there are plenty) are aware of the marketing department’s latest feat.
For a moment, let’s forget about the ICC rules regarding racism. What impression will this blunder leave on the foreign viewers’ minds (let’s leave aside local viewers, who are probably enjoying it)? What will the Lankan team think if they ever have the misfortune of coming across this channel? Shouldn’t more sensitivity be on the cards given Pakistan’s tainted relationship with this team in particular?
We as a nation should be grateful for international channels such as Star Sports, ESPN, and Super Sport, for they give much less painful alternatives to sports fans in Pakistan. Not all of us are willing to overlook the audacity.
Hafsa Adil is a sports editor at Dawn.com.
Why this sudden outburst of revulsion over color slur in Pakistan. I am yet to see even single drama by popular comedian where he doesn’t make fun of the dark color of Bengali’s and Srilankans. Color joke is the common on Pakistani comedy show. Even the cast slur is used profusely and one of Pakistan comedian found himself in trouble for using the word bhangi on Indian channels.
Apparently this news channel is not doing anything different.
Some times they don’t understand the difference between foolishness and light humor.
Look at ‘Meera episode’, they crossed every ethical line in humiliating her, I feel pity for her. And how they use playback songs on different events, is there any decency in it??
@ Arshid ZAidi
I second your views. Some channels seem bent upon to dictate the populace about the Highly appreciable role they are playing.
We all know this channel as well as other channels of this media company. Truly they are champions of all sort of negative propaganda.
I am delighted to write that channels of this group are under password protection at my home. I don’t allow my family to watch these channels.
Why don’t all of you follow the same?
I want to comment on Yousuf who has just been appointed captain.
I will not be surprised if Yousuf will start the match first by reciting few holy verses on the pitch, fasting on the day of the match and perhaps inviting Daniel Vetori towards Islam….
I do hope he will treat cricket as a game and will not start projecting his personal beliefs like Inzimam did and attracted so much criticism from all around the globe.
Yousuf, please remember religion is your personal matter, please don’t bring religion in cricket.
Very right. Our media is so irresponsible and we can see lot of examples these days. Just take the example of Meera marriage scandal and also English. How they can telecast the clip (when she does not know that Camera is ON). MEDIA is becoming God in our country now. Now if Govt tries to do something then they just boycott everything. Do they have right to take photos of anybody walking on the road? I saw many photos of Students in IIU (during suicide attack) even with their exposed body parts.
I think writer is bit too emotional. Please don’t split the hair.
For those who feel that it’s all in jest and perfectly okay,
Imagine the scenario if a promo were to air in the US for a visiting Pakistani soccer team:
“Yes, we’re Muslims, but we can play football!”
would you go “ha ha what a joke guys!”? perhaps not.
Whatever the pioneer sports channel did express, showed the policy of the TV Network.
To be noticed its just not in the grounds of cricket or whatever, but these feelings are sorted on all the other channels being run by the Network.
Anyhow the majority of the Nation took it as a matter of humor or fun!
People who did this have no understanding of the difference between humor and racism. We are in debt of the people of Srilanka. They always come to our help in times of great need. I guess the people of this sports channel should ponder on this age old saying ” A friend in need is a friend indeed”.
The author needs to chill. There is nothing wrong with either being kalay or dil waley. You can call me either or both anytime.
Some would think this is a good issue. But its not an issue if you want it to be. I thought we were all past that.
Since both team are from sub-continent, racism does not play a role here. If West Indies were part of the series, then one can say racism is playing a role. In any event any conspiracies should be avoided, leave cricket game for entertainment and not politics or racism.
Seriously, what is wrong with the media?
The Srilankans are very nice to us, that is not the way to respect some one who respects you. Firstly that a very bad promo, secondly the pemra who ever is in charge should keep an eye on our sports channel and last this is racism, not funny in any sense. Sad.
Author has said “In an age where tolerance, diversity, and respect” so have tolerance towards this song and it’s context as well.
Just hear it, laugh, and move along.
Really, the point here isn’t that this song is “for us, by us” or that it helps rid of the inferiority complex created by skin colour, but the fact that *this* particular song is used and the butt(hit or push) of this really insensitive “joke” is really obvious when played as the background to the Sri Lankan team montage. I’m sure this song may have meant something in the original context, but it doesn’t take many smarts to realize the point behind this application. Any apologetics are quite useless in trying to explain how this song is not discriminatory in this context.
As I mentioned in my earlier post the standard of education in Pakistan leaves a lot to be desired. This is evident in all fields, this is one example of intellect from the broadcasting community. I recently watched a comedy show where one character rated another’s ugliness using the “sari sri lanka ki team” as a benchmark.
Being a Pakistani myself, I am ashamed and disappointed at the direction my countrymen are heading.
This is so unbelievable and shameful. We are heading towards social and moral decay at light-speed almost.
The electronic media, it seems, is working without the institution of Editor. And that is why you have such blunders when there is nobody to decide about such things.
Unfortunately over the last 15 years, the owners of the newspapers have taken over the responsibility of editors, having editors but only in the name. In the past Pakistani journalism had strong editors whose word was final. The media houses’ owners need to withdraw and give back competent professional journalists the role of editor. Only then we will have better monitor and sensible coverage. Otherwise this will continue.
I am at a loss, I don’t know what to say. What Bijoy Jose is trying to say is unacceptable. Accepting other is one thing and letting some make fun of another on the basis of color is another. His remarks sound great, but what actually he is trying to say is let them make fun of them, whats the harm. Well why not you ask the opinion of the persons who are the part of this joke. The problem lies in us, we think white skin is better than dark, we are raised thinking that a fair colored person is a better one, its our prejudice and unfortunately for some, its just a matter of laugh.
Indeed. The author has a very strong point there and the remarks are quite telling. Media in Pakistan is still struggling to grow out of its childhood and it will take it some time to do so. I can recollect a number of such incidents reflecting the irresponsible attitude of our independent channels. They better behave before people start losing confidence in them. I lost mine a long time ago.
Hey,
I have a high regard for most of them who have commented on this article, although I feel sorry for the person who presented the article. To truly understand and respect others views or actions one needs to start by accepting and respecting oneself. Unless we start focusing inwards on ourselves and developing ourselves we will never truly grow as a nation. Our focus is likely to be on bringing down others and the consequences of which can be seen in our country now.
“The promo pretty much leaves me speechless” that’s what she say. It is the understatement of the century. It left me pretty much fuming. Can in this day and age, any one can be so senseless. I always had a very low opinion about that particular news group. It seems insulting some one is the best way of grabbing attention.
Some posters are not differentiating between racism and responsibility. The Author is not complaining about the song being racist or brown people being inferior, its not about the color of the skin, Its about how a major media channel could not put things into consideration before making such step. I wonder if they have a policy which states “to make sure not to offend people from any race, culture or religion”
Kudos to the author and DAWN news for pointing this out. The song itself could be light hearted with no racial under tone intended, but in the context in which it is played, it is surely leaves an unsavoury taste in ones mouth.
It’s an issue of ‘political correctness’. Moreover its not a personal or family thing. It’s being broadcast on TV. Some comment are humorous or offending, can only be decided by the the person on the receiving end. At home, it can be finished by saying ’sorry’, but on TV? We Indians and Pakistanis start protesting even on slightest racist insinuation in The West, but in our own countries, we have little regard for the sensitivities.
There are many posters here who seem to think the ad is all in good fun. They have the view, ‘hey this is just humor,nothing rude so, enjoy it!’
I would like to ask them this: We are touring New Zealand later this month.
Suppose in New Zealand’s TV Channels, they show the picture of our captain and then the voice in background says,
“I might not look what I am, but I am the Pakistan Cricket Captain ! Come and play ball with me!”
Then what would be your reaction?
I don’t think this song portrays any racist issues. You have to listen to the whole song in order to understand it’s true meaning. We as South Asians have always had this brown skin inferiority complex for some reason. The people with fairer complexions in Europe envy us as we look more attractive, we age less and do not catch sun that easy. A growing number of dark skin models are representing top Designers these days. So we shouldn’t have this Brown or dark skin complex at all. Yes provided the racial sensitivity these days, this news channel should have been more thoughtful in their selection of the song. Sorry to say this Miss Hafsa, but you can’t take two words out of the whole song and write an article about it. You have to consider the whole context and background of this song.
Good to know that India-Sri Lanka Match will be telecast in Pakistan.
Even if the song is famous, even if we think its alright, its not about us its about the people this song is directed to. We cant be completly sure that they will like this promo because this song is famous and it does not mean we talk about other people the way we want too, we should put other people’s culture into consideration.
Really shameful act by this channel. Our so called media even didn’t take notice only except Dawn.
Why we are forgetting manners.
Well Done.
The channel which you are talking about is not promoting cricket but it promoting itself by using Masala song no matter it would cause any serious issue.
Dear all,
Firstly great service by the author. Truly its only by becoming aware we can achieve the harmony and peace in our society, what fascinates me is the types of people that run such channels or in fact that they are actually allowed to do so, shows an imminent need of overhauling such aspects of our society. Something that is not only condemned by Islam but was specially mentioned in the “Khutba-e-hijatul widaa” by the prophet. Honestly I am hating how our society is stuck between wither the liberal fascists or the extremists, where is the true us, the moderates by both culture and religion! Anyway, thanks again…
The song mentioned does not hint racism. Its a very famous song and originally sung for us, by us, the subcontinent people. We often sing this song referring to ourself and its by no means derogatory.
However I do agree that it might offend those who do not know the history of this famous song and I agree that the marketing and branding team of an international sports channel should never make such negligent errors which score criticism.
Shameful for us, Why because people who lost their respect in their own eyes can not give respect to others.
I look at the issue differently from those who felt it emotionally. Colors are all good, varieties of colors make things beautiful. Why blacks should feel they are inferior to whites? Moreover those who have produced this ads are themselves black. Are Pakistani’s or Indian’s whites? So all these three people have more or less the same complexion.
But this is not the first and the only case of our media mostly dominated by urdu speakings that they have mocked a people. They have frequently been mocking Urdu of Pathan’s in their TV programs. Has any one of us raised any objection to such insults. But instead we enjoy them with big smiles on our faces. It is natural that people enjoy slight insults of others but that should not be taken seriously. All human beings belong to a large family and as it is common in every society in every small family members specially brothers and sisters sometimes call each others with ugly names just for the sake of enjoyment.
How come no one came with the suggestion that its a conspiracy by others??
Why is black considered a bad thing? the debate should start from there, instead of already assuming that black is bad. That sort of post Colonial complex should stop.
Watching such a major T.V channel broadcast this promo makes me believe that it is going to take very long time for us to even think of becoming like our many fellow human beings. Now you may disagree with that, but that’s my opinion.
This might not be deliberate act of racism, Pakistani’s cannot be racist,
Definition of a Racist = a person with a prejudiced belief that one race is superior to others.
Racism is a thing which someone from very civilized world would not do. But it gives a very nice picture of Pakistan’s irresponsible and unprofessional media and also Pakistan as a ‘nation’. I am glad something like this came up so that people of Pakistan themselves realize the fact that they are very immature and way behind the rest of the world. Whether it be loud speakers of ‘Madarassas’ or the ‘Media’ it has always been very easy to get Pakistani’s to follow some ideology like sheep’s.
Ms. Hafsa,
“Dil walay hain” should be translated as sportsmen “with a heart’ not ” hearty sportsmen”. The two mean completely different things in English.
Salman Tariq I couldn’t agree with you more on what you’ve written.
But I disagree somewhat to what you’ve stated :
“The bottom line is simple, our news networks will continue to generate cheap laughs as long as there’s an audience which wants cheap laughs. It’s our job to stand up and make our voices count. Down with mediocrity!”
I believe that people running the channel and I mean all those involved from script writer to producer/director to all the decision makers who have the authority and power to bring change through the programs on television and radio. hey should have the sensibility and intelligence to get rid of mediocrity and promote and project good programming not only to educate the masses but to bring about a positive change through media and stop underestimating the intelligence of the viewers. So far they’ve failed to do so they take a back seat by saying “this is what the people want to watch ” to me that’s not true, that is not what the people want to see they are watching it because that’s what’s shown to them. How many of us raise our voices and write to the channels? Just a handful? do you think these voices reach them on a regular basis and if people like us are in a minority then do you think minority rules? That is the reason they get away with a excuse that “this is what the people want to watch”
I watched that promo. That’s really ridiculous. But it was not much surprising for me, cause its very common for this channel to do such things. I think they should learn something now.
This promo is just one example. Just check out the other program on this channel.
Free Media but illiterate people to run it. Let’s face it, we can not handle media freedom. Who would allow such promo? only unqualified people.
I think this ad is ridiculous and shameful. With all the people questioning “what is wrong with this song?”. I’ll tell you what is wrong. You are calling brown people black in a land where white would be the color of choice if you were given the choice. If you have not understood the lyrics of the song then you need to listen the song again. It is essentially saying ‘what if I am black (as if being black was a weak point), but I have a big heart (that weakness is covered by virtue of having a big heart). You don’t think there is any thing derogatory in this skin color wise. Think again.
I wonder how will Pakistani’s react when Australia runs a promo for Aussie Paki test series as clash between Aussies and brownies?
One can make comments about dark skinned individuals and depending upon the context, be offensive or otherwise. The great heavyweight boxer, Muhammad Ali was sometimes called “The Black Superman.” This was not intended to denigrate him. The West Indian cricket team, once called “Kali Andhi” was not being denigrated. However, there is little that is redeeming about the title being used for the Sri Lanka team. Not only is it offensive. It reflects the small-mindedness of those who created the video.
Wish my father was around to read this condemnation.
Utilizing cricketer’s skin for gladiatorial style entertainment is unacceptable to me and should be to everyone in any civilized society. If there is a such thing as Muslim values than now is the time to show it. Roman ended the gladiator styled sports in 5th century. We are remaking it. Blaming media alone is not suffice, they simply deliver what we want to hear and see. I recall when I was 17 seeing this type of ill-humor in 50-50 sitcom.
We are what we stand for or we are no one. As someone earlier commented, let the Last Sermon to be the guidance for our social fabric of our youth, for our future and of our society. If UN can adopt from this Sermon, we have more right to it.
Speak up peacefully. Thanks to Hafsa, Dawn, and other readers and writers for their effort to make a change. Allah loves purity and sincerity and our efforts will not be futile. May Allah Bless us all.
Frankly I was not too outraged by this ad, but I am surprised by the comments from many people who are trying to explain the logic and striking it down as only pun intended. What happened to this logical brains when the danish cartoons were published? Why did you not take it as pun intended?? I condemn those cartoons and also this ad. Heights of hypocrisy, when its your sensitivities, no one can make fun, but others sensitivities, you find all the logic in this world. These hypocrites are both in Hindus and Muslims
and to @ Salahuddin,
The fact that some of your people wish to be Indians, shows how we treat our own people. In India if 10 people attack Muslims, 10,000 people stand up to defend them.