As we know the shift from modernism to post modernism has brought about a complete change in the scope and role of media. The focus here is not on the general growth in the importance and influence of this medium which is to a large extent a result of the revolution in information technology and communications, rather on the content, presentation and intention of media products which have come to acquire new dimensions.

This paper attempts to relate the phenomena of reality television (taking the reality show Indian idol as the object of analysis) and the idea of schizophrenia as presented by Fredric Jameson. Moreover on the basis of my understanding of certain topics I would like to point out how the body and figure of the “idol” is produced. Lastly I would like to connect this whole analysis to an assumption that brings in another dimension of a cause and effect relationship- mono phobia. It is my belief that mono phobia is intricately related to the schizophrenia of post modern life hence the understanding of this aspect is essential for this whole endeavor.

Skipping the history and concept of Indian idol in details, I would just like to mention that it is primarily a talent hunt program and the final product of this 3 to 4 month long rigorous procedure is the declaration of a winner who is named the Indian idol and rewarded with a singing contract worth 1crore rupees along with a chance to make an album. My argument takes off from the point that the reality of this whole concept is then about ordinary individuals who come from all walks of life with minimum or considerable musical talent and are then trained under expert supervision to make them prospective Indian idols and an addition to the Bollywood playback music industry or the Indy pop industry. The other face of reality is that the advancement of these contestants is based on real votes that the public send in through Sms, phone calls etc. thus the popular aspect gives another touch of reality. As a result Sony television now proudly declares that a successful show has been created completely on “real people real emotion and real situations”

Indian idol becomes the focus of my study because of the presentation and signification that is produced through out the length of the show. The schizophrenia is created in this whole attempt to produce the idol. At the epicenter of the whole event lies the fact that it completely depends upon the voice and vocal potential of the contestant, which should be the soul object of emphasis and signification. However acting out of this reality is such that the show on the whole then portrays everything else other than what it is supposed to. Thus a schizophrenic whole is created in which as Jameson says there is a “ rubble of distinct and unrelated signifiers” consequently a contestant’s personal life, city, background, culture, family, school, profession etc are highlighted which are all unrelated to each other and more so with the vocal competence of the contestant, That being the primary focus. What is important here is to understand that this schizophrenic condition is created to firstly produce the idol and secondly to integrate these fragments of unrelated realities in such a way that one is compelled to believe that, it is a whole reality that is reflective of ones own reality.

Every episode contains bytes of the contestants involved in such activities like visiting an orphanage, meeting with the military forces, playing holi, praying in a temple or mosque and so on, making an array of unrelated events that are put forward as the realities of the lives of these prospective idols and the spectator is impressed by this ideal citizen. What is happening in actuality is the gradual production of the idol that is everything that we ought to be and wish to be. Thus these continuous fragments of realities which are said to have been taken from the lives of the contestants; in effect reflect the spectator’s reality. Another point that struck me was the fact that every aspect of this reality is commodified, again falling in line with Jameson’s proposition that in post capital world all art forms become commodities that are sold to the market. Thus no hidden meaning or symbolism is presented but a whole, flat product for mass consumption. Similarly Indian idol gives its audience plenty of marketable commodities like stories of rags to riches, a wide span of emotions, glamour and various other bankable products that become a part of the “reality”. These emotions are all included in the production of a hero or idol that is patriotic, sympathetic, secular, reverent, diligent, humble, and humane and so on and are sold to the audience in exchange for votes.

Thus the image of an idol is produced through the representation of idealistic attitudes and personalities. However the schizophrenia here is disguised. I would like to exemplify with my favorite instance of the glass building- the audience is standing in front of the glass building which is the whole production of the show through the face of the idol. And their reality becomes our reality just like the glass body reflects every other body. However the audience continues to believe that what can be seen is the glass building or the reality of the contestants failing to see that the only thing that is reflected is their story.

There is one narrative each for all the contestants that refer to how they started, where they came from etc. however the narrative of the idol is unstructured bringing in another element of schizophrenia. Distinct unrelated events are created in every episode to market the product more effectively. Thus on one day the contestant is a patriotic Indian and on the very next day he is a concerned social worker. Such fragmented realities are thrown at the spectator as part of the whole process of the production of the idol and e identification by the viewer. Thus there ceases to be one specific reality because these narratives are made at an every day basis. Therefore as characteristic of post modernism there is a perpetual present that is created and re created. A linear progression is missing, without a temporal aspect of past present and time. It is interesting to note that this progression exists when it come to the performance of the contestant, where an individual’s gradual growth over time is highlighted. However the production of the idol is completely in the present, and is a spatial construct. It is created within the space of the show as a re production of a similar creation in the space of the minds of the people.

Therefore my argument suggests that Indian idol is produced in such a way that the reality that is portrayed is not what is supposed to or the reality that is said to be shown is not what actually is intended to be conveyed. Thus if the intention of the show and consequently the reality is that an idol figure is created who embodies our aspirations, then the focus on a music is irrelevant, or on the other hand if the main aim of the show is to find a deserving singer, then the indirect and constant signification of the values of a hero is uncalled for. However the show moves along these two dimensions thus creating a schizophrenic condition where it reflects something other than the said reality. Moreover the reality so glamorously shown is actually taken from the viewer himself. The anxieties, complexities and victories of the contestant become the viewer’s and this sub- conscious connection is what helps the show to expand and keep its market. There is a constant emphasis on the simplicity and ordinary life and background of the contestants to reinforce the real element and further strengthen the emotional connection of the viewer with the contestant. Increasingly the viewer sees his conscious and unconscious realities being played out on screen, by transposing one’s ideal self onto the prospective idol- and subsequently the production of the body and image of the idol is complete.

Therefore we can say that the ultimate result of the whole process is to produce an “idol” from amongst us (us refers to all spectators.). More than a vocalist who is selected on his vocal prowess, a sense of elation is derived out of the fact that we have successfully brought into the limelight a respectable youth icon or Indian idol. He is cute or she is pretty, and responsible, humble yet talented, and truly an idol for the masses. The important point to be noted here is that this idol comes alive, as if its one of us and all of us. The portrayal of the struggles and dark backgrounds of the contestant or winner reflects the struggles of our lives. This unconscious transference creates an emotional and economically lucrative bond between the viewer and the show (basically the people who represent the show).

Here I shall bring in my argument about how mono phobia is the original and disguised cause of this situation. When structured uniqueness of people is underplayed or removed and they begin to reflect each other, the fear of being alone is eliminated. Post modern or capitalist societies are marked by this extreme consumerism and a lack of depth in art and expression. The growing distance between people, their thoughts and bodies, creates an ever increasing vacuum, that is feared to consume everything eventually. To avoid this vacuum and capture the mind and attention of the viewers, art today has come to create situation and conditions where there is a reflection of the viewer on the viewed and vice versa. Through this process one is made to feel a part of a “poly” and not mono or alone.

Similarly in the case of Indian idol, this reality (or façade) of identifying an idol from amongst us, does the same job. What is the reason for the mass mania that is created every season? Those contestants are not celebrities, then why is it that scores of people of every generation are drawn into this frenzy? The most striking element is the emotionality involved, and that is where the unconscious protection against mono phobia operates. The production of the idol, who reflects our anxieties and struggles, makes one believe that the possibilities are endless. The inter crossing of the viewer’s reality with the realities that are constructed for the idol, brings into focus the connection and similarity among all. Although each contestant is unique in a certain way, but uniqueness of personality and manner, is underestimated while social backgrounds, community contribution and realness is exaggerated. Thus with the blurring of the unique personality traits of every individual what stands out for the audience to see is how his or her life, desires hopes, capabilities and failures are played out under melodramatic conditions. The sense of distance is narrowed and a form of identification is facilitated. Thus the overwhelming ghost of mono phobia is pushed to the background, even if temporarily.

Mono phobia is the successfully diminished with this reflective creation of reality. It does make one wonder whether all kinds of artistic and social expression in the capitalist and post capitalist societies, look for ways to escape from this fear. My argument would be positive, but that is not in the scope of this paper.
Thus the simultaneous creation of realities which reflect each other then overcome structured inhibitions and uniqueness, to create a schizophrenic condition where the definite chain between signifiers and the signified snaps and a simultaneous and spontaneous array of realities appear with more than one signifiers, leading to an integrated meaning. This meaning making involves the unconscious processes of fighting one’s fear and the conscious effort of the media and its products to create “glass building” commodities.