In the last few weeks, two channels have espoused women empowerment in their new offerings at Prime Time. Star Plus premiered Tamanna last week, before that Colors launched Krishnadasi.

Both Dhara (Tamanna) and Aradhya (Krishnadasi) stand up to social bigotry and antagonism; the narratives are set in small town India. Tamanna deals with a young Gujarati woman’s passion for cricket, which is reflected in her game such that she is selected for the state team. While her father fuels her obsession, Dhara’s formidable Dadi is the foe they have to contend with and the antagonism of her could-be in-laws. The serial starts at rapid fire speed as Dadi and the mother bustle around getting the house in order for the prospective groom and his parents; while Dhara is on tenterhooks for a match she is to play in the penultimate in the presence of a national selector.

When the groom and his parents arrive, Dhara is still learning the recipe of the ghugroo, a Jamnagar specialty which she is ‘supposed’ to have made. Once she is alone with the boy, she blurts out her obsession with cricket and that she should be off to play the career turning match. She zooms off on her Scooty. The two selections place Dhara in a quandary -- as a bride and as a state level player. She will of course choose the latter, while Dadi is particular about marriage.

There has always been a social stricture against women playing a sport professionally, hence the first women’s cricket team or hockey team has been given the step child look. The families of such players are also known to withdraw support, or pressurize them to do kitchen duty. Social acceptance of women in cricket and hockey is growing, but in small town India such girls are not marriage material. Reason: Travelling for tournaments means time away from husband and wifely duties.

In Krishnadasi, Aradhya stumbles upon the truth that her grandmother Kumudini and mother Tulsi are Krishnadasis, married to Lord Krishna. She isn’t appalled, but enraged that she wasn’t ever told the truth. The remote village of Krishnavati is where Aradhya faces the truth about her lineage. Krishnadasi is a remake of the Tamil serial of the same name, which was based on a book written by Indra Soundarajan.

Krishnadasi unfolds the harsh reality of how the ‘wives’ of Lord Krishna serve him devotedly with their dance and dedication, yet they are regarded with contempt and ostracized by society. Even though traditionally when a girl is to marry, if a Krishnadasi dances at the nuptials and blesses the couple, the union will be fruitful. Set against the backdrop of present-day Pune, Krishnadasi showcases the story of three generations of women whose past holds secrets that shape their contrasting personalities; Aradhya’s mission is to unlock the past. In the 21st century, rural, social stigma infested areas, people are still socially regressive in more ways than one.

Both Krishnadasi (Sana Amin Sheikh) and Tamanna (Anuja Sathe) have young actors playing the standard bearers of their respective social oppression. Supported by veteran actors of class like Ketki Dave, Harsh Chayya and Kiran Karmarkar in Tamanna; Chhavi Mittal, Indira Krishnan, Uday Tikekar and Jiten Lalwani in Krishnadasi.
2016 has started well with socially relevant content.