Promoting freedom of religion and pluralism through radio dramas
View(s):“Radio drama has been evolving as an art with enormous scientific elements, and has proved its potential in strengthening religious diversity and pluralism in Sri Lanka,” said Prof. W. A. D. P. Wanigasundera, Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF), sharing his view on a radio drama initiative implemented by SDJF, promoting freedom of religion and pluralism. “It is one of the arts that has immense power and potential that helps not only the listeners, but also everyone who is involved in writing, editing and production, to internalise the value it intends to cater to. What is interesting about the radio drama initiative is that it features civil society participation in writing and nurturing the scripts,” he added.
The Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum recently conducted a training programme for 24 young radio drama writers, fluent in Sinhala and Tamil and after an eight-day residential workshop, they were able to produce 12 radio drama scripts. After voicing the dramas, veteran radio artists such as K. Chandrasekeran, Ulepane Gunasekara, Senani Wikramasinghe and Ashroff Sihabdeen commented on the scripts, which they felt were written with critical sense, a balanced approach and in a manner that drew attention to freedom of religion and pluralism. Before the dramas were written, the young writers were divided into mixed groups and sent to different communities in a bid to expose them to different religious lives, connected practices, issues and perceptions while hunting for their unique characters, plots, story lines and case studies for the drama scripts. The young writers met civil society leaders, government servants, the general public, youth, women and children to gain more perspectives on deeply rooted issues in the community. The writers also had professional training on modern radio drama in promoting freedom of religion and pluralism. The participants felt the training workshop had broadened their view and made them activists in promoting religious pluralism. More than 90% believe that they can use radio drama in the future in different forms through different media, such as community radio in schools and in village level societies.
M. F. M. Firnas, a participant from Batticaloa said, “During the process of writing, ideas of tolerance, understanding and respecting diversity dominated my thoughts. Now I realise my role in promoting religious pluralism and recognise myself as an activist.”
SDJF also formed three boards of 15 members of civil society who vetted the scripts and gave their input, including changes on some of the scripts.
The dramas that were produced in this process are to be aired through community radio stations and then would be part of a large number of community dialogues across the country. The dramas will be later uploaded on social media platforms to reach out to a wider community for cyber dialogue. This programme was funded by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives. For more information or queries, write to info@ldjf.org .