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TV series about Indian Christians to be aired in Karnataka
Titled ‘Rabbi’, the series is in Kannada, Karnataka’s official language. The show’s producer wants to “promote communal harmony” by showing the daily “challenges Christian families face”.
Mysore (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Beginning on 11 February, public service broadcaster Doordarshan will air its first series on Indian Christians in the state of Karnataka. Titled ‘Rabbi’, the TV series will be in Kannada, the state’s official language. For producer and director Edward Shamprasad, the programme is meant to “promote communal harmony” and show the “challenges middle class Christian families face every day”. Produced by Mytri Creations, it will be broadcast on Saturdays and Sundays.
"Generally people believe that Christians indulge in a Western lifestyle. They think that Christmas is all about parties, alcohol and fun. All this is untrue. Christians live according to Indian traditions in all they do, including celebrations and weddings. In the TV series, through its various episodes, we have tried to eliminate such biases,” Shamprasad said. The life of Jesus will also be told in the series.
The decision to show ‘Rabbi’ in Karnataka is important because local Christians have often been the victims of religious intolerance and violent persecution.
The state is ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a Hindu nationalist party that has supported groups such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, which have been responsible for anti-Christian attacks. All of them are part of the Hindu nationalist movement (Sangh Parivar).