Drama in the Electronic Media: Iwa Lesin as a Case Study
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Date
2001
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University of Abuja
Abstract
Since the advent and development of drama as a dynamic art, Adesina, (1993: 116) posits that it has been used for three main purposes of education, entertainment and information. On the other hand, the major purpose of the television broadcast is put by Onyero Mgbejume, as "Spreading or Scattering news, entertainment or any other programmes over a wide area with many people simultaneously receiving the transmitted programmes in their home television." (Mgbejume, 1985:19).
The introduction of drama into the television medium did not start in Nigeria until, August 1960, when Wole Soyinka's "My Father's Burden" was broadcast in English Language (Olusola, 1981:372). Since then, many Yoruba plays have come to be televised on the Nigerian television.
This paper which emerges from a research project carried out with, Professor H.O. Danmole of History Department, University of Ikrin, examines how one of the first Islamic serial drama has made use of the television medium to promote, teach, preach and propagate the fundamentals of the Islamic religion in the '90s in the south Western part of Nigeria. "Iwa Lesin" meaning (the way you behave is your worship or character is religion) is an episodic drama basically conceived by Alhaji Kareem Adepoju in 1990 to teach, and clarify certain religious tenets with regards to the Ramadan fasting of the Muslims which are often misconceived. The serial is relayed weekly on Fridays, on the television service of Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, Ibadan, and Nigeria Television Authority, Ilorin.
Five of the serial will form the focus of our discussion in,the paper. The five have been selected at random and classified into three main categories. The classification is such that episodes that treat matters that are of similar themes are brought together under the same category. The content of each of the five episodes will be examined to bring out how they have actually been used to achieve the set objective.
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Drama, Electronic media, Iwa-Lesin, Television medium