Tamil Telefilm on AIDS for Viewer Discussion on Social Norms

This presentation details Nalamadana's development and use of a one-hour Tamil Film called "Pesu Maname Pesu" (Speak, O My Heart, Speak) to address issues of HIV status within families. Nalamadana indicates that this film aims to empower vulnerable young women and to enlighten their families about the risk of HIV.

According to Nalamadana, many newly married women in Tamilnadu, India, are at high risk of their partner being HIV positive. Nalamdana’s field experience and a study conducted by YRG Centre in Chennai showed 82% of the monogamous women in the sample with partners who were HIV positive. The prevalent practice of arranged marriages makes this a serious problem in a state where STI prevalence is 24%.

The protagonist of the film, whose marriage is arranged to man she does not know is HIV-positive (although his family does), represents what the authors suggest is the real story of many women in India. The film, whose script was field tested in 20 sites (rural and urban) and with other NGOs, was telecast at primetime during the week of World AIDS Day 2002, on Podhigai Channel, which reaches 92% of the Tamil TV viewers. Two different endings were presented to viewers who were asked to write in with the one which moved them and why. A week later, as announced, before the prize draw, a follow-up film was telecast that had people asking questions on issues raised in the film. A well-known doctor answered them and told people where to go for voluntary testing and counseling.